We both feel like this is all a dream. But it's not.
Thanks to everyone who gave me advice and lended a helping hand.
Full Version: My fiancee and I are reunited.
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Life can be good. ANh arrived at JFK yesterday and breezed through customs. They didn't even check her suitcases. We had a wonderful evening and just went shopping for groceries. Right now she is sitting with my grandmother and later we will visit family.
We both feel like this is all a dream. But it's not.
Thanks to everyone who gave me advice and lended a helping hand.
We both feel like this is all a dream. But it's not.
Thanks to everyone who gave me advice and lended a helping hand.
Congrats and enjoy your lives together now ! 
My brother-in-law's wife (then was fiancee) also just arrived from VN last week. We met her on the weekend and they looked soooo happy, so I know how you feel right now
My brother-in-law's wife (then was fiancee) also just arrived from VN last week. We met her on the weekend and they looked soooo happy, so I know how you feel right now
Congrats to you both!!!!
Enjoy your "new lives" together and best wishes.
Happy wedding planning!!!!!
Enjoy your "new lives" together and best wishes.
Happy wedding planning!!!!!
That's great news Matt. Wishing you and Anh many happy years together 
Thanks. But now we are BEYOND confused about the SSN issue. Every person we talk to tells us something different. I have read and read and read this place over and I still do not understand how to get her a SSN.
The Guide here does not give specific instructions. It's as if it assumes we know the process already.
How do I obtain the employment permit she needs in order to apply for the SSN? I called DOHS and the local SS office and they were both unsure and told me completely different things!
The Guide here does not give specific instructions. It's as if it assumes we know the process already.
How do I obtain the employment permit she needs in order to apply for the SSN? I called DOHS and the local SS office and they were both unsure and told me completely different things!
Congrats on your reunion
Matt, on the back of Anh's I-94 stapled in her passport, there should hopefully be a tiny stamp saying "authorized to work" or something to that effect. That is the temp EAD. Wait a week or two and go down to the SS office, fill out the form they give you, and they should be able to set up her SSN. We went about 10 days after Amed's arrival, and he had his SS card within a week.
Be sure she is in the SAVE system first. I called the SS 800 number and nicely asked them about it, and they were able to tell me that he was in the system.
Congrats on your reunion!!
Be sure she is in the SAVE system first. I called the SS 800 number and nicely asked them about it, and they were able to tell me that he was in the system.
Congrats on your reunion!!
Aww Matt! I came by here specifically to get an update. I'm so happy for you!
Oh and either PM or look for posts from mdyoung about the SSN thing.
I came by here specifically to get an update. I'm so happy for you!Oh and either PM or look for posts from mdyoung about the SSN thing.
There is no authorized to work stamp on the I-94. 
Congratulations and best wishes to both of you! 
I don't think they do that anymore. I think you'll have to file for the EAD first after you get the marriage certificate. I'm still waiting for the documents and biometrics to be done for my fiance. It's been 6 weeks so far. Nothing yet.
There is no authorized to work stamp on the I-94.
QUOTE(Matt_Stevens @ Jul 27 2006, 09:45 AM) 
There is no authorized to work stamp on the I-94.
Wake up Matt it's not a dream! Welcome to America ANH!
Congrats to you two...
Chuck and Kim
it's not a dream! Welcome to America ANH!Congrats to you two...
Chuck and Kim
WAy to go Matt & Anh!!!!! Congrats!
The SSN paperwork is pretty straightforward. After K-1 it's all downhill.
The SSN paperwork is pretty straightforward. After K-1 it's all downhill.
Please keep us posted, or move to the "Living in America" Forum.
Regarding SS card, There is a SS office in most cities. Gosh, just go down to the office, take a number, hang out and chat with Anh, meet face to face with the SS people, show them her passport and ask them, "What do I need to do.....?" Think of it it as an adventure. My wife and I went on many small errands, roadtrips, visits, etc during her first 2 weeks in the states. Now, she knows much more than me?
Regarding SS card, There is a SS office in most cities. Gosh, just go down to the office, take a number, hang out and chat with Anh, meet face to face with the SS people, show them her passport and ask them, "What do I need to do.....?" Think of it it as an adventure. My wife and I went on many small errands, roadtrips, visits, etc during her first 2 weeks in the states. Now, she knows much more than me?
Actually, I hope you would start hanging out in the AOS room.... The clock is ticking with your 90 days period.
Congratulations on your reunion!
congrats! we applied for k1 about the same time as you...and now your fiance is here. i'm happy for you and jealous of you at the same time!
good luck and take care of each other!
good luck and take care of each other!
Thanks, everyone. I am a nit drunk right now. We opened a bottle of wine and it's hit me in hit head pretty hard. 
I actually talked to the local SS office and they said I need the I-94 form before they will even talk to me. God, this is confusing. I just don't understand how to get that form for her.
We opened a bottle of wine and it's hit me in hit head pretty hard. I actually talked to the local SS office and they said I need the I-94 form before they will even talk to me. God, this is confusing. I just don't understand how to get that form for her.
QUOTE(kvtran @ Jul 27 2006, 10:05 AM)
I don't think they do that anymore. I think you'll have to file for the EAD first after you get the marriage certificate. I'm still waiting for the documents and biometrics to be done for my fiance. It's been 6 weeks so far. Nothing yet.
QUOTE(Matt_Stevens @ Jul 27 2006, 09:45 AM)
There is no authorized to work stamp on the I-94.
since when is JFK not giving temporary work stamps?
Congrats Matt and have a wonderful life together
Ho Chi Minh to JFK. That is one looooooooooooooonng fun flight! Hope she likes America
Cograts and best wishes to both of you...
Matt anh Anh --- Tram Nam Hanh Phuc. Congratulations !!!
Congratulations to you Matt and Anh! 
We too have been reading through the AOS guides and trying to learn about SSN and all the other fun stuff ahead. It seems like they really start to hit you with fees during this stage. I agree with you that it is a bit confusing from the start, and I'm feeling that "unknown" like we all started with at the beginning of the K-1 process.
I'm going to take the time and read as much of the AOS and other post-visa forums that I can! That should help. If it doesn't, I'll just track down chuckandkim and blast 100 questions at him...
It will all work out as it always does!
Best of luck!
STL_HCMC
We too have been reading through the AOS guides and trying to learn about SSN and all the other fun stuff ahead. It seems like they really start to hit you with fees during this stage. I agree with you that it is a bit confusing from the start, and I'm feeling that "unknown" like we all started with at the beginning of the K-1 process.
I'm going to take the time and read as much of the AOS and other post-visa forums that I can! That should help. If it doesn't, I'll just track down chuckandkim and blast 100 questions at him...
It will all work out as it always does!
Best of luck!
STL_HCMC
Viva Matt & Anh !!!
That is wonderful to hear.
I wish you both a beautiful life filled with happiness.
That is wonderful to hear.
I wish you both a beautiful life filled with happiness.
Get the SSN, then start doing things together (bills, lease, etc.). Have things in her married name at your address. It's a lot like the K-1 process (I've actually done the AOS before) where the documentation and evidence is the key.
Think big picture (STL, et al), get married, and get plugged into joint everything.
No doubt tomorrow's hangover will be well worth it! Glad she's here.
at your address. It's a lot like the K-1 process (I've actually done the AOS before) where the documentation and evidence is the key. Think big picture (STL, et al), get married, and get plugged into joint everything.
No doubt tomorrow's hangover will be well worth it! Glad she's here.
Congrats matt and Anh, I am really happy for you both. It must be a wonderful feeling.
Our big problem right now is that the local SS office says they will not give her a SSN until she gets that Employment Authorization, yet according to most of what I am reading she does not have to have that to get a SSN. Worse, we cannot figure out how to get her the Employment Authorization if she needs it.
The SS# application does NOT list what is needed in a K1 case for evidence. Obviously she needs her passport, but what else? Amazingly enough the local SS office does not know.
I am ready to go postal. Every step of this process if covered with government incompetence.
Has anyone here who went the K1 route already received the SSN? If so, can you please explain how you did it?
The SS# application does NOT list what is needed in a K1 case for evidence. Obviously she needs her passport, but what else? Amazingly enough the local SS office does not know.
I am ready to go postal. Every step of this process if covered with government incompetence.
Has anyone here who went the K1 route already received the SSN? If so, can you please explain how you did it?
We went to the SS office about 10 days after Amed got here and applied. It was very simple and we had no problems. He did have the authorized to work stamp on his I-94, though.
Are you sure it's not there? It's VERY small, and it should be on the back. Amed said he didn't even have to ask for it, they automatically stamped it, and he went through JFK.
There is some statute or rule from the SS website or the SS manual that says K-1s are authorized to get their SSN right away. I'll have to dig around for it. Maybe if you print that out and take it to them they'll let her get it?
Does anyone else have a link to that language?
Are you sure it's not there? It's VERY small, and it should be on the back. Amed said he didn't even have to ask for it, they automatically stamped it, and he went through JFK.
There is some statute or rule from the SS website or the SS manual that says K-1s are authorized to get their SSN right away. I'll have to dig around for it. Maybe if you print that out and take it to them they'll let her get it?
Does anyone else have a link to that language?
Congratulations Matt! Looks like you sobered up this morning but are still lost on the SS thing. Couple of pointers:
Like TracyTN said, search the posts of the member mdyoung for answers about Social Security issues.
Start posting your questions in the AOS, Working in America, and Moving to America forums.
The Work Authorization stamp may or may not be in Anh's passport. JFK is under no obligation to issue it. Anecdotally they usually do, but she might not have gotten it. It doesn't have squat to do with her obtaining a Social Security number anyway.
Like TracyTN said, search the posts of the member mdyoung for answers about Social Security issues.
Start posting your questions in the AOS, Working in America, and Moving to America forums.
The Work Authorization stamp may or may not be in Anh's passport. JFK is under no obligation to issue it. Anecdotally they usually do, but she might not have gotten it. It doesn't have squat to do with her obtaining a Social Security number anyway.
Matt, before marriage she must apply as a non-immigrant for work permission. That entails the I-765 process. You can e-file this form as a K1 holder. When you are married and adjust status that is different.
As we all know, she can only be in the US for the 90 days on the non-immigrant K1. Chances are the paperwork will take a good chunk of that time. Go ahead and get the I-765 filed, and go from there.
Or take 90 day for Anh to get acclimated and go for the SSN when you are married.
As we all know, she can only be in the US for the 90 days on the non-immigrant K1. Chances are the paperwork will take a good chunk of that time. Go ahead and get the I-765 filed, and go from there.
Or take 90 day for Anh to get acclimated and go for the SSN when you are married.
Matt-
Great news!! We're very happy for both of you!
Now that she's here, the true fun begins in watching Anh soak in American (ahem) culture! And as a writer, you will have a huge resevoir of stories to be able to draw from! Good luck to you both as you continue on your journey!!
Great news!! We're very happy for both of you!
Now that she's here, the true fun begins in watching Anh soak in American (ahem) culture! And as a writer, you will have a huge resevoir of stories to be able to draw from! Good luck to you both as you continue on your journey!!
I went to the local SS office and the whole procedure was different than I had read on the VJ site. Thuy and I also mixed in the SS office visit with some other things to make it an enjoyable, stress-free afternoon, not to mention going directly to the source, face to face with actual people who get paid to help you, an actual SS office worker, who could actually see my wife's visa in person and verify her situation, vs a telephone call or asking us? The FUN is just begining.
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