Whats the process of getting a drivers license/bank account like in Pennsylvania?

[Adam&Allison 128]

So I'm going for my K1 interview on the 20th January 2017, and I was wondering - when I arrive in the United States with my K1 visa, whats the process of getting a drivers license? My fiance and I are planning to courthouse marry as soon as we can so we can get the ball rolling with the Adjustment of Status. Am I correct in thinking that I cannot get my drivers licence in the Untied States until after I receive my Green Card? I do not hold a UK drivers license.

The other question is regarding bank accounts. Same question, do I need to wait til I have my GC before opening a US bank account?

[p-ana 933]

So I'm going for my K1 interview on the 20th January 2017, and I was wondering - when I arrive in the United States with my K1 visa, whats the process of getting a drivers license? My fiance and I are planning to courthouse marry as soon as we can so we can get the ball rolling with the Adjustment of Status. Am I correct in thinking that I cannot get my drivers licence in the Untied States until after I receive my Green Card? I do not hold a UK drivers license.

The other question is regarding bank accounts. Same question, do I need to wait til I have my GC before opening a US bank account?

You have to check your local DMV website to look at their requirements. Most licenses given will be tied to the i94 expiration so it's better to wait for ead to apply at first and then take the gc after and have the expiration updated.

Depending on the bank you want to open at account at, it can be done as soon as you can, right after you get ssn... you have to check with them.

[Adam&Allison 128]

You have to check your local DMV website to look at their requirements. Most licenses given will be tied to the i94 expiration so it's better to wait for ead to apply at first and then take the gc after and have the expiration updated.

Depending on the bank you want to open at account at, it can be done as soon as you can, right after you get ssn... you have to check with them.

Thanks - and how does one get an SSN?

[p-ana 933]

Thanks - and how does one get an SSN?

Check the social security administration website. Vj also has a forum about it.

[yuna628 9,528]

So I'm going for my K1 interview on the 20th January 2017, and I was wondering - when I arrive in the United States with my K1 visa, whats the process of getting a drivers license? My fiance and I are planning to courthouse marry as soon as we can so we can get the ball rolling with the Adjustment of Status. Am I correct in thinking that I cannot get my drivers licence in the Untied States until after I receive my Green Card? I do not hold a UK drivers license.

The other question is regarding bank accounts. Same question, do I need to wait til I have my GC before opening a US bank account?

Most states will have their own rules but in general: A person is allowed to drive on their foreign license for a select amount of time (if you have one). You could go get a license immediately, but it will be tied to the I-94 meaning it will expire the moment that does. Hardly worth it. The DMV routinely also has a hard time understanding anything about visas or visa types - but in general to get any sort of license you are going to need to present them with an SSN, your EAD and/or green card, some sort of mail/bill with your name/address on it. For people that do have a foreign license in general you can bypass a lot of the state requirements regarding training (I think we're up to 80hrs of drive time now + classes and other regulations) and take a simple written and road test. If you haven't a license then you'll be starting out like everyone else as a new driver, subject to classes, tests, and hours and whatnot. It takes a long time to get through. Your earliest opportunity to start will be after you file for AOS + EAD/AP and receive your EAD card. That's your legal presence document they will want to see. Whatever license/learners permit you are eventually issued will be a temporary one, good for as long as the date on the EAD. You can upgrade this once you receive your green card. My husband just did this recently, and has his full license now. No more worrying about it for many many years to come. The process was fairly simple for him as he already had a foreign license and is an experienced driver.

Before all this though, and before marriage, you should head to the SSA and obtain your first SSN. Follow the guide on the forum. Fill out the simple form, and bring whatever they require. Also bring their own instructions should they decide to not know how to handle a K1 or ask for a supervisor. Getting the SSN early will make life a lot easier. It will have ''work with DHS authorization only'' printed on the card. That means it's restricted. Your authorization will be in the EAD. Once you receive your green card, you can return to the SSA and receive a new card with the restriction off.

Once we married I added my husband to our bank account. No green card needed. They also did not need his SSN, just our marriage certificate and his passport. Every bank is different on this though. If you find a bank that doesn't want you involved, ask for a supervisor or try another bank. You're going to find a lot of places will tell you ''you can't get X item without an SSN'' but the truth is you actually don't require it, there's just a lot of ignorance around about it. The SSN will make it 'easier' yes, but that doesn't absolve anyone's ignorance in the matter regarding regulations. The same goes for health insurance.

[Adam&Allison 128]

Most states will have their own rules but in general: A person is allowed to drive on their foreign license for a select amount of time (if you have one). You could go get a license immediately, but it will be tied to the I-94 meaning it will expire the moment that does. Hardly worth it. The DMV routinely also has a hard time understanding anything about visas or visa types - but in general to get any sort of license you are going to need to present them with an SSN, your EAD and/or green card, some sort of mail/bill with your name/address on it. For people that do have a foreign license in general you can bypass a lot of the state requirements regarding training (I think we're up to 80hrs of drive time now + classes and other regulations) and take a simple written and road test. If you haven't a license then you'll be starting out like everyone else as a new driver, subject to classes, tests, and hours and whatnot. It takes a long time to get through. Your earliest opportunity to start will be after you file for AOS + EAD/AP and receive your EAD card. That's your legal presence document they will want to see. Whatever license/learners permit you are eventually issued will be a temporary one, good for as long as the date on the EAD. You can upgrade this once you receive your green card. My husband just did this recently, and has his full license now. No more worrying about it for many many years to come. The process was fairly simple for him as he already had a foreign license and is an experienced driver.

Before all this though, and before marriage, you should head to the SSA and obtain your first SSN. Follow the guide on the forum. Fill out the simple form, and bring whatever they require. Also bring their own instructions should they decide to not know how to handle a K1 or ask for a supervisor. Getting the SSN early will make life a lot easier. It will have ''work with DHS authorization only'' printed on the card. That means it's restricted. Your authorization will be in the EAD. Once you receive your green card, you can return to the SSA and receive a new card with the restriction off.

Once we married I added my husband to our bank account. No green card needed. They also did not need his SSN, just our marriage certificate and his passport. Every bank is different on this though. If you find a bank that doesn't want you involved, ask for a supervisor or try another bank. You're going to find a lot of places will tell you ''you can't get X item without an SSN'' but the truth is you actually don't require it, there's just a lot of ignorance around about it. The SSN will make it 'easier' yes, but that doesn't absolve anyone's ignorance in the matter regarding regulations. The same goes for health insurance.

This is perfect, thank you for the very detailed information!