After arrival on k1 fiancé visa

[Puntacana08 3]

Hi my fiance will be arriving into the states in a month or so. Can you advise me in what order we should do things. Does social security card have to be obtained before marriage. Then once you get marriage license and get married can you apply for aos paperwork at local Uscis office. We will be applying for work authorization at the same time as aos so wondering if we should have social security card on hand first so he is ready to start working once ead card arrives. Also when can drivers license be obtained? Thanks

[AmAjjD 33]

We didn't have my fiance's social security card before marriage, but that's mainly because we were scrambled for time as his embassy interview was in the midst of that huge server crash a few months back. So no you do not need to get the card, but your marriage certificate will ask if he/she has one. However, it is VERY helpful for your fiance to get a social number ASAP to give him/her a US based identity card. The social security card is important for all the other documents that will need to be filed, including the driver's license

Edited October 24, 2014 by AmAjjD

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

Print out your I-94 info > https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html

Follow this guide for getting the SSN > http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

Follow this guide for AOS > http://www.visajourney.com/content/k1k3aos

The fees are listed here > http://www.uscis.gov/i-485

The fees for the I-765(EAD-work authorization) and I-131(AP-advance parole for travel) are waived when filed with a pending I-485, so include both of those too. It takes about 60-90 days to receive the EAD/AP combo card, which will allow you to work(along with an SSN) and re-enter the US when traveling abroad while waiting for the green card approval.

You need all the supporting documents for each form as well, so read the instructions for each one. You can also search here on VJ for what to include with each form if you get stumped. There are also example forms here on VJ you can look at when filling out the forms. They can be helpful.

Oh, and here are the details you need about whether or not you need to see a civil surgeon > http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/428381-i-693-report-of-medical-examination-and-vaccination-report/?p=6206232

[Ian H. 207]

That I'm aware of, NY doesn't require proof of legal status in order to get a DL. Therefore, you should just need the 6 points and SSN. The passport and visa along with the I-94 are worth 3 points, the SSN card is worth 2 points, and the marriage cert is worth 2 points. So he shouldn't have to wait for the EAD in order to get the DL here. Also, he has to take the written test, pay the fees around $80, take a 5 hour class, then the road test.

http://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/get-driver-license

[Ian H. 207]

I just checked, in NY they don't require legal status per se, but they do require either the SSN card or a letter from the SSA that you aren't eligible along with the DHS issued document that was used.

This doesn't apply to your fiance OP, because he would be eligible for an SSN, I just wanted to put it out there for anyone who reads this post in the future. Good luck.

[c12h22oh 11]

OK guys listen and listen good..... My fiance arrived to Miami Florida last year. We got marriage in the following two months and few days after that we applied for the SS card ... guess what!!!

quote "The social security card depend of Home Land Security approval of her adjustment of Status ", we received a letter states that we do not need interview and we have to wait another 6 moth to received the Residence. Therefore The SS card will arrived after Home Land Security approved the Residence Card ...

I called the SS offices and they reply that nothing they can do only wait. Now if you have in mind claim your wife as a dependent she have to live with you more that 6 months.....

Immigration and Naturalization have their hand full ...... This is a time consuming process ... good luck to all ... My wife have not SS card yet.....

Edited October 25, 2014 by c12h22oh

[steve n songsang 45]

wish there was a sign at the log in page....ALL K-1 VISA HOLDERS...AFTER POE...1-2DAYS...TAKE COPY OF I-94,S.S.# APPLICATION AND PASSPORT AND GO TO S.S.OFFICE AND RECEIVE S.S. CARD IN 6-14 DAYS.

[Ian H. 207]

There is no such thing that your AOS has to be approved before you can get an SSN. You can get one with the K1 visa and I-94, or with the EAD after you filed AOS.

[d3adc0d3 186]

Hi! Well congrats!

This is what I recommend:

1. Apply for a SSN day after your partner arrives.
2. Get married! (within 90 days)
3. Apply for AoS, EAD & AP as soon as you can! Best if done before I-94 expires, but not necessary
   • If AoS is too expensive, consider taking a small loan out in your fiance's SSN to help him or her build credit!
4. Add partner to lease, bank accounts and one utility bill - this will be needed as evidence of bona fide relationship for your AoS interview!

Good Luck!

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

OK guys listen and listen good..... My fiance arrived to Miami Florida last year. We got marriage in the following two months and few days after that we applied for the SS card ... guess what!!!

quote "The social security card depend of Home Land Security approval of her adjustment of Status ", we received a letter states that we do not need interview and we have to wait another 6 moth to received the Residence. Therefore The SS card will arrived after Home Land Security approved the Residence Card ...

I called the SS offices and they reply that nothing they can do only wait. Now if you have in mind claim your wife as a dependent she have to live with you more that 6 months.....

Immigration and Naturalization have their hand full ...... This is a time consuming process ... good luck to all ... My wife have not SS card yet.....

You do not have to get a green card approval in order to get an SSN. A K-1 entrant should get the SSN soon after arrival while the I-94 is acceptable to use in order to receive an SSN. You should get it in your maiden name because that will match the name they have their system from you getting the K-1 visa.

If you did not get the SSN in time, or the SSA worker gives out misinformation(like many of them do) you are able to get the SSN with the EAD, which you should have applied for along with the green card. The EAD will be received 60-90 days after applying.

Also, you cannot claim a spouse as a dependent on your taxes. They are your spouse, not your dependent.

[Theboz 10]

You do not have to get a green card approval in order to get an SSN. A K-1 entrant should get the SSN soon after arrival while the I-94 is acceptable to use in order to receive an SSN. You should get it in your maiden name because that will match the name they have their system from you getting the K-1 visa.

If you did not get the SSN in time, or the SSA worker gives out misinformation(like many of them do) you are able to get the SSN with the EAD, which you should have applied for along with the green card. The EAD will be received 60-90 days after applying.

Also, you cannot claim a spouse as a dependent on your taxes. They are your spouse, not your dependent.

That's what our moronic local SS office told us too.

We went after we were married and we were told since we were married we were no longer a K, our status changed and needed to wait until we were approved for a Greencard. They did say that we could have got a SSN before marriage. Anyways, they let us fill out an application for SSN and said that if its denied, we would receive a letter about 7 days and if it was approved, then they would send it to DHS to get an approval from them and it would take about 120 days.

Last Friday we received a letter, which was just 3 days, stating it was denied, probably the local office did not even send it in and even if they did, they did not even want to see our I-94.

But, no biggie, Friday morning we went to another SS office and told the lady what happen at the other office and she had no problems giving my wife a SSN.

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

That's what our moronic local SS office told us too.

We went after we were married and we were told since we were married we were no longer a K, our status changed and needed to wait until we were approved for a Greencard. They did say that we could have got a SSN before marriage. Anyways, they let us fill out an application for SSN and said that if its denied, we would receive a letter about 7 days and if it was approved, then they would send it to DHS to get an approval from them and it would take about 120 days.

Last Friday we received a letter, which was just 3 days, stating it was denied, probably the local office did not even send it in and even if they did, they did not even want to see our I-94.

But, no biggie, Friday morning we went to another SS office and told the lady what happen at the other office and she had no problems giving my wife a SSN.

Yes, there are too many SSA workers that have no clue about their own jobs. Of course getting married does not change your status. Some people have even been told that getting married made them a K-3 now instead. It is just ridiculous.

I am glad you went to another SSA and got it sorted out.

[Theboz 10]

_{were we told we were a k2, lol.}

Edited October 27, 2014 by Theboz

[Ian H. 207]

You should submit a complaint about that SSA office. If people don't speak up, they will keep telling people whatever they want. They need to train their employees better and have an official list or something with documents or visa categories that must be accepted.

They have to know that a K1 getting married doesn't change that status. Technically, yes you are no longer a fiancé, but your immigration status is still a K1. Of course that doesn't mean they won't give people a hard time though.

Here is a link with how to complain:

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10071.pdf

You may not want to because you were able to apply in another office, but you were still denied the legal right to apply for an SSN at the other office and it is your right to file a complaint. In any case, this info should be here for anyone who faces this issue in the future can find this post.

[KayDeeCee 4,891]

_{were we told we were a k2, lol.}

So getting married made you a derivative minor child?

They need to stop trying to give immigration info that they have no clue about, and stick to trying to learn the info from their own jobs.