I'm really worried about something. Fran arrived hear March 18, 2007. We got married March 22nd. We went to apply for a Social Security number shortly thereafter, and we got it. No questions asked. She printed out a paper that said Temporary Employment Authorized. We freaked out because we thought that that was impossible. She said he has temporary permission to work until his K1 status expires which is June 16. So, he started working. Then we get his SS card in the mail today and it says not valid for work without DHS authorization. So, what gives? Did we screw up or what?

He is authorized to work until June 16. His SS card should be accompanied by the Temp. Emp. Authorized issued by the SS office. By June16 he should have his EAD or GC.

Everything is OK. He is working.

read some more
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...c=58444&hl=

aliciaandfran,

Something is not right here. The SSA cannot grant employment authorization or provide an employment authorization document, only the USCIS can do that as the notation on the SS card indicates.

You've done nothing wrong, but the employer might have. Does your husband's I-94 card have a stamp on it that says 'employment authorized'?

Yodrak

Try to contact Social Security Administation

SSA told us the same thing - that he can work. But I knew she was wrong.
As we left the office I was reading the receipt which said that he can only work with Dept. of Homeland Sec. permission (EAD) - which he does not have yet.
When he got his SSN in the mail it says on the card that he cannot work.

I think you were misinformed by people who don't know the answer.

I called Social Security and Immigration because the woman I spoke with at the main Social Security office hung up on me. The Social Security website is wrong when they say you can receive a social security number before you've received an ead. Unless he received his ead before leaving his country, there's no reason for him to have a social according to Social Security as well as Immigration. It totally sucks how all this works. We're still waiting on word for Phil's ead. Hopefully that'll be soon as it's irritating trying to keep up with all the expenses.

Word to the wise, make sure to file all your forms soon as it's seeming to be a long process.

I'm sorry that you had a bad experience with SSA, but you're not correct. K-1s CAN get a Social Security number in their first 76 days in the US whether they have an EAD stamp or not.

We're having the worst luck with anything having to do with SSA. It seems this website is the only place that is telling me we can get one for my husband. Yet when we go to apply for one, they all say no. I don't understand how other people can get them, but we can't on every account we try. As far as the 76 day marker, we tried numerous times before the 76 days. His visa expired on the 21st this month. I'm just totally disgusted with us getting the run around.

Did you print out the forms that say you can from the SSA & take them in person? Many VJers have tried that & it's worked.

No, we didn't bother to because by the time that we realized that he could get a social according to the SSA website it was a week or so ago from when his visa expired. We're gonna try and talk to a congressman in the area and see if we can get some help from him.

The visa expiration date has nothing to do with his ability/not to get a Social Security account. As a K-1, he had 76 days from entry (2007-01-21-2007-04-07) to make his SS application (form SS-5). That is also expressed as 14 days before his I-94 expiration date.

The K-1 is now not eligible for a Social Security account until he has an EAD or Permanent Resident card. After receipt of either of these, he should expect a short delay for his details to be updated in the SAVE database. SSA will use SAVE to verify his new status and issue his card based on that.
Hopefully, the EAD will come through in a timely manner.

That's basically what immigration told us after SSA led us on for the 76 days. Basically it's all a case of misinformation from our local office as well as the telephone office.

After all, we read on the website that my husband could get a Social Security number, telephoned the SS office helpline, the lady told us otherwise and when we pointed out that the website said otherwise. She went quiet and then hung up.

Real helpful.

Now the 76 days have expired all the federal offices are being helpful and letting us know what's what. I really think they just didn't want to have to deal with the paperwork. Jobsworths.

All in all, we're just trying to figure out how he'll have documentation of him being in this country legally now that the visa and the I-94 have expired.

Bah.
Well, the good news is, it doesn't really matter all that much. Yes, I know I am sitting in a comfortable spot to tell you so, but it would've been a roundabout trip anyway (SS#-->DL could 'maybe' be proof of legal status). He just doesn't have any and can't get any until he gets his EAD. *That* will be proof of legal status.

Most K-1s wind up in the same boat, if you're just talking evidence of status. They seem to manage, and I'm sure you two will also.
Sorry the SSA got you worn down. Aren't you glad we don't have to deal with this sort of stuff *all* the time?!

Whew, we're really glad we don't have to deal with them all the time. Complete nightmares when the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. It's just a bit discouraging but I know it'll all work out in the end. Just lots of patience.

My husband quips that they don't know their a** from their elbow! He just wants his driver's license and a bank account at this point in time.

Mind if I friend you? You seem to be a greater help than most people I've spoken to.

Ah, immigration is fun, no?

Have you filed your AOS? That NOA is proof of status.

Haha, it's a barrel of monkeys. Yes, we filed for his AOS. It's pending. We still have to finish his paperwork for the RFE we received on the 13th. My employer is slow as mollasses.

Well, you got your proof, if nothing else! When we travelled I made my hubby carry a photocopy of his NOA til he got his GC.

ha ha, seems to be differing opinions on that today (never mind). Of *course* you can friend me.. I'll even like it once I figure out what it does.... (I am waiting for my free toaster or some such).

About the DL--there are only a few states which haven't yet enacted the Real ID Act regulations.. Oregon happens to be one, so he can come up here and get a DL, otherwise, our lawmakers simply didn't account for people like him who ARE here legally, but don't have other docs to prove it. But the terrorists might win otherwise!

The bank, now that is somewhere you can take your angst out on their heads. The banks will tell you this is "required" by the Patriot Act and blah blah--don't fall for the double talk. Banks can, and will, take his business without an SS#. Bank of America is particularly useful at it; maybe some searches will turn something up too. Bully your branch manager, or shop with your feet and go elsewhere. You can add him as an authorized user on your credit card accounts (head start on the ole creit score too) and add him to your driver's and homeowners/renters insurance. If he's licensed in his home country, he can probably drive on that one if you fudge the edges and don't make a scene. UK drivers will have to sit the written and practical test, but it is *nothing* like it is in the UK. Waaay easier.

And then tell your ole ball and chain that the red tape here ain't got nuthin' on his homeland. Same stuff, different flavor. This is probably the last time off he'll have in America, so he should just enjoy it.

Keep us posted on your progress!

Yup, I did think about the whole photocopy thing. Good to see I'm not the only one that thought about that. Did it work?

I've looked for this in the guides, meauxna, but can't find it. My SO has a SSN already from when he lived here as a minor. So this just means that one step is out of the process for us? I am sure I sound like an idiot, but he doesn't have to apply for a new SSN does he?

jundp,

No, he does not.

Yodrak

Phew, one less thing to do!
At least, I think so...

Hopefully he has the card, or the number written down? The number is his for life. The status will be updated automagically after entry. So, I don't think he needs to do anything. He'll want to go get a new card after he becomes a PR (Green Card) and again if/when he naturalizes to US citizenship.

Otherwise, he's good to go. He's still employment authorized for the first 90 days, but may not have a document proving it.
Um, what else were we covering? I'm going to send a message to the SS guru and make sure this answer is right, too.

It would've but we never needed it!