Once i move even lol

Right, I will hopefully be in Malibu in July and have a job lined up for after i take my month vacation which i feel i will have deserved. Couple of questions if anyone knows. 1st How long till i get my social security number and 2nd do i need a Californian driving licence to buy and insure a car. If so whats the best way to get about this.

Any input welcome.

Glad i found out about this site as i did not realise there were so many people in the same position as me. I have learned so much already and it has made me relax about the whole situation. So thanks


B

Looking at your other posts, I take it your comming in on a K-1 visa. You can apply for an SSN number about 1-2 weeks after you are in the US. It takes up to a couple weeks before your name is in the system and after that it takes about 2 weeks to receive the card. If you have an EAD you can start working right away if you have applied but not yet received your SSN.

As far as the drivers licence issue, it all depends on the laws of the state. Find the California DMV site. It should be able to answer most of your questions.

Coming through JFK as your POE is the only way to get temporary work authorisation. Then, once you arrive, you have to marry before you can apply for AOS/EAD. If you want to continue working without interruption, then you must marry as soon as possible when arriving in the States. EAD's take about 90 days for processing and are good for one year.

If memory serves, you have only ten days to get a California driver's license once you become a resident. You will definitely have to take the tests. Non-residents can drive on foreign licenses. You'll probably have to contact the California DMV to see exactly what would make you a 'resident' since if I recall correctly a K-1 is a non-immigrant visa, so I'm not sure how that would affect your state residency, which is completely different from US residency.

Theoretically you don't even need a driver's license to buy a car but I'm not sure you can insure one without it since insurance companies always want to check your driving record. Getting insurance with a foreign license will probably be pretty expensive.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#2500

You do not have to be married to get a SS number but it makes sense to be married. When I came to America I went to the SS office and they did my SS number, once me and hubby got married I then went back and changed everything to my married name. As for working, you need to either as other posters have said go through JFK or wait for your EAD.

As for driving each state has their own set of rules which is nuts The test is relatively easy, you can go check it all out at your nearest centre.