SSN on K-1

[JVKn'CVO 11]

Sharing some information about obtaining an SSN on a K1 visa

Everyone feel free to add or correct anything

Saludos!,

Caro

*From Socialsecurity.gov

My immigration document shows K-1. How do I get a work Social Security number?

Question

I have come to the U.S. to marry my boyfriend. My immigration document shows “K-1.” How do I get a Social Security number so I can work?

Answer

The K-1 symbol indicates you are the fiancé of a U.S. citizen. As such, you are eligible for a Social Security number and for employment.

To apply for a Social Security number:

Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5); and

Show us documents proving:

Immigration status;

Work eligibility;

Age; and

Identity.

Take your completed application and documents to your local Social Security office.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

For more detailed information, see Social Security Numbers For Noncitizens (Publication No. 05-10096) or Documents You Need for a Social Security Card.

*From travelstate.gov

How to Apply for a Social Security Number Card After your fiancé(e) has been admitted into the United States

he/she can apply for a social security number card by visiting one of the Social Security offices in your local area. To learn about how-to-apply, visit the website for the Social Security Administration.

*From Social Security Experiences

Information about obtaining a Social Security Number

The actual 'guidelines' from the National Social Security Administration say that either the 'Employment Authorized' stamp on the I-94 or the EAD Card (I-688B) should be sufficient proof. The Social Security Manual of Operations, however, states that a K-1 visa holder is a "legal alien not authorized to work". Hence, the only really acceptable documentation remains the EAD card, regardless of the 'Employment Authorized' stamp received at the port of entry. Technically, the K-1 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa. If the K-1 Visa holder does not marry the U.S. citizen in 90 days, he or she must leave the U.S., negating the need for a Social Security Number. Therefore, prior to marriage within the 90 day period, the INS and Social Security Administration do not know whether the K-1 Visa holder will in fact marry and become an alien with an immigrant intent. After marriage does take place, the Adjustment of Status process includes requesting an EAD which then becomes the action point for obtaining the Social Security number.

Social Security Offices seem to interpret the rules in different ways, and this has resulted in people not being able to get employment as quickly as they had planned. In November 2000 a memo was sent out to all Social Security Offices, stating that people who entered the country on a K-1 Visa are entitled to a Social Security Number. More details here

If you need to find out which your local Social Security Office is then go to this web page: https://s3abaca.ssa.gov/pro/fol/fol-home.html

You can get more information by calling Social Security's toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. You can call for an appointment or to speak to a service representative between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days. If you have a touch-tone phone, recorded information and services are available 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days.

From a newsgroup regular:

FYI, the attached link is the SSA's answer to the following question: "I have come to the U.S. to marry my boyfriend. My immigration document shows "K-1." How do I get a Social Security number so I can work?" SSA states that, in addition to the standard documents verifying identity, it just needs to see the document issued by the INS showing your K-1 status (i.e. I-94 showing K-1). I would recommend that people print the page out and bring it with them to the SSA office so that they are not refused a SSA just because they don't have the EAD.

SSA FAQ

EM-00154

The EM-00154 memo states: "A nonimmigrant alien in K-1 alien status is authorized to work based on that status and is no longer required to show and employment authorization document (EAD) as proof of employment authorization when applying for a Social Security Number (SSN) card." The memo further states: "When an alien in K-1 status applies for an original or replacement SSN card, accept as proof of employment authorization either an unexpired:

I-94 showing the alien is admitted as a K-1 for a 90-day period; or

EAD (Form I-688B showing "274A.12(A)(6)" on the face of the card under Provision of Law or Form I-766 showing "A-6" on the face of the card under Category).

The memo also states: "Some I-94s issued to K-1s are stamped or annotated "Employment Authorized," and some are not. Either way, the I-94 is proof a K-1 alien is authorized to work." The memo is File no. EM-00154 dated November 1, 2000"

First paragraph - "This Emergency Message replaces EM-00009 which expired in September 2000 and POMS instructions, RM 00203.500C.2., for K-1 aliens. A K-1 alien is the fiancee of a U.S. citizen"

Second paragraph - "A nonimmigrant alien in K-1 alien status is authorized to work based on that status and is no longer required to show an employment authorization document (EAD) as proof of employment authorization when applying for a Social Security Number (SSN) card."

Download the memo or go to RM 00203.500 Employment Authorization for Nonimmigrants Policy C.

[kim&james 0]

Best answer is to do a search onhere for MDYoung.

That guy knew all there is to know about the SS office.

[Jasman0717 9]

Best answer is to do a search onhere for MDYoung.

That guy knew all there is to know about the SS office.

MD knew the SSA inside and out

Edited September 27, 2007 by jasman0717

[JVKn'CVO 11]

I can't find his profile, or posts, would you have the link?

I only found this thread In praise of MDYoung

but no posts of him (only quotes)

Caro

[I'm Gone 60]

Sharing some information about obtaining an SSN on a K1 visa

Everyone feel free to add or correct anything

Saludos!,

Caro

*From Socialsecurity.gov

My immigration document shows K-1. How do I get a work Social Security number?

Question

I have come to the U.S. to marry my boyfriend. My immigration document shows “K-1.†How do I get a Social Security number so I can work?

Answer

The K-1 symbol indicates you are the fiancé of a U.S. citizen. As such, you are eligible for a Social Security number and for employment.

To apply for a Social Security number:

Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5); and

Show us documents proving:

Immigration status;

Work eligibility;

Age; and

Identity.

Take your completed application and documents to your local Social Security office.

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents.

For more detailed information, see Social Security Numbers For Noncitizens (Publication No. 05-10096) or Documents You Need for a Social Security Card.

Guess who you can thank for that being in the SSA FAQs?

*From travelstate.gov

How to Apply for a Social Security Number Card After your fiancé(e) has been admitted into the United States

he/she can apply for a social security number card by visiting one of the Social Security offices in your local area. To learn about how-to-apply, visit the website for the Social Security Administration.

Also guess who got the state department Webmaster to put that on their site and get rid of the Enumeration at entry link.

*From Social Security Experiences

Information about obtaining a Social Security Number

The actual 'guidelines' from the National Social Security Administration say that either the 'Employment Authorized' stamp on the I-94 or the EAD Card (I-688B) should be sufficient proof. The Social Security Manual of Operations, however, states that a K-1 visa holder is a "legal alien not authorized to work". Hence, the only really acceptable documentation remains the EAD card, regardless of the 'Employment Authorized' stamp received at the port of entry. Technically, the K-1 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa. If the K-1 Visa holder does not marry the U.S. citizen in 90 days, he or she must leave the U.S., negating the need for a Social Security Number. Therefore, prior to marriage within the 90 day period, the INS and Social Security Administration do not know whether the K-1 Visa holder will in fact marry and become an alien with an immigrant intent. After marriage does take place, the Adjustment of Status process includes requesting an EAD which then becomes the action point for obtaining the Social Security number.

Social Security Offices seem to interpret the rules in different ways, and this has resulted in people not being able to get employment as quickly as they had planned. In November 2000 a memo was sent out to all Social Security Offices, stating that people who entered the country on a K-1 Visa are entitled to a Social Security Number. More details here

EM-00154 is so oldl and out of date it isn't funny. So old the woman that wrote it retired lat year. RM 00203.500 C1 is what matters now.

If you need to find out which your local Social Security Office is then go to this web page: https://s3abaca.ssa.gov/pro/fol/fol-home.html

You can get more information by calling Social Security's toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. You can call for an appointment...

Try getting an appointment to submit an SSN application.

From a newsgroup regular:

FYI, the attached link is the SSA's answer to the following question: "I have come to the U.S. to marry my boyfriend. My immigration document shows "K-1." How do I get a Social Security number so I can work?" SSA states that, in addition to the standard documents verifying identity, it just needs to see the document issued by the INS showing your K-1 status (i.e. I-94 showing K-1). I would recommend that people print the page out and bring it with them to the SSA office so that they are not refused a SSA just because they don't have the EAD.

SSA FAQ

EM-00154

The EM-00154 memo states: "A nonimmigrant alien in K-1 alien status is authorized to work based on that status and is no longer required to show and employment authorization document (EAD) as proof of employment authorization when applying for a Social Security Number (SSN) card." The memo further states: "When an alien in K-1 status applies for an original or replacement SSN card, accept as proof of employment authorization either an unexpired:

I-94 showing the alien is admitted as a K-1 for a 90-day period; or

EAD (Form I-688B showing "274A.12(A)(6)" on the face of the card under Provision of Law or Form I-766 showing "A-6" on the face of the card under Category).

The memo also states: "Some I-94s issued to K-1s are stamped or annotated "Employment Authorized," and some are not. Either way, the I-94 is proof a K-1 alien is authorized to work." The memo is File no. EM-00154 dated November 1, 2000"

EM-00154 Old News

First paragraph - "This Emergency Message replaces EM-00009 which expired in September 2000 and POMS instructions, RM 00203.500C.2., for K-1 aliens. A K-1 alien is the fiancee of a U.S. citizen"

Second paragraph - "A nonimmigrant alien in K-1 alien status is authorized to work based on that status and is no longer required to show an employment authorization document (EAD) as proof of employment authorization when applying for a Social Security Number (SSN) card."

Download the memo or go to RM 00203.500 Employment Authorization for Nonimmigrants Policy C.

Once again RN 00203.500 C1 is what matters

Edited September 27, 2007 by I Quit

[Jasman0717 9]

I can't find his profile, or posts, would you have the link?

I only found this thread In praise of MDYoung

but no posts of him (only quotes)

Caro

Was MD a he or a she? Anyway, I think the account was deleted

[I'm Gone 60]

I can't find his profile, or posts, would you have the link?

I only found this thread In praise of MDYoung

but no posts of him (only quotes)

Well he quit because some woman here with a big mouth pissed him off, but I know where he hangs out if you have an SSN related question.

[JVKn'CVO 11]

Well he quit because some woman here with a big mouth pissed him off, but I know where he hangs out if you have an SSN related question.

Thank you Iquit. I don't have any questions (at least not at this time ). I only intended to share information I came across researching for myself.

I'm posting the document you mentioned at the bottom.

Saludos,

Caro

RM 00203.500 Employment Authorization for Nonimmigrants

C. Policy - Employment Authorization by Class of Admission

The following policy applies to employment authorization by class of admission:

1. Aliens Work Authorized Without Specific DHS Authorization

The following sections list nonimmigrants, by alien class of admission codes, who are authorized to work in the U.S. without specific authorization from DHS. The person’s I-94 will not have the DHS employment authorization stamp and the alien will generally not have an EAD.

For those with an asterisk (*), the principal alien, spouse, and child all have the same classification code. In some instances, both the husband and wife are both principal aliens when the classification is E-1, E-2. Accept their statements that both are principals.

For those with a double asterisk (**) (non-immigrant E-1, E-2, and L-2 classifications), the spouse is also authorized to work without specific DHS authorization. The E-1, E-2, and L-2 spouse is not required to apply to DHS for an EAD card as documentary evidence of work authorization but may choose to do so. When the E-1, E-2, or L-2 spouse applies for an SSN card and does not submit an EAD as evidence of employment authorization, he/she must submit, in addition to evidence of immigration status, evidence of a marital relationship to the principal E-1, E-2, or L-1 alien. The evidence of marital relationship between the applicant and the principal E-1, E-2, or L-1 alien is a marriage document (indicating the marriage occurred prior to admission to the U.S. as an E-1, E-2, or L-2 non-immigrant).

NOTE: Ask the alien whether he/she is the principal alien who is authorized to work or the spouse, child or other dependent of the principal alien and see RM 00203.500C.1., RM 00203.500C.2., and RM 00203.500C.3. when the alien is the spouse (other than an E-1, E-2 or L-2 spouse) or child.

*K-1 Fiancé(e) of U.S. citizen

[payxibka 10,045]

Search for member I Quit

[eau_xplain 2]

MDYoung and I_Quit provide very valuable information, especially in response to oft repeated questions about the SSA. I hope he continues to do so in spite of others who say negative things on here. There are more people here on VJ who appreciate MDYoung and I_Quit than those who are negative about them.

[payxibka 10,045]

Considering they are one in the same.... (MDYoung and I Quit)

[Krikit 1,164]

Well he quit because some woman here with a big mouth pissed him off, but I know where he hangs out if you have an SSN related question.

[cellarlily 0]

I think it's a smart idea to take the specific language from the SSA with you when filing for a SSN because even though K-1s are within their rights to get a SSN, the local offices are often confused/misinformed/uninformed. We had a really bad experience with this.

[TracyTN 237]

So did we, cellarlily. Unfortunately, the people at our dopey office didn't even believe their own documentation when I put it in front of them! They seemed more hell bent on proving that I was wrong.

[cellarlily 0]

So did we, cellarlily. Unfortunately, the people at our dopey office didn't even believe their own documentation when I put it in front of them! They seemed more hell bent on proving that I was wrong.

They're nutbags. My husband ended up going to a different office because they wouldn't believe that he was eligible.