Social Security Card WOES!

[BrownSugarHoney 0]

Hey VJ members,

I am hoping some one can give us some advice on what to do. My fiance (husband now) arrived in the US on July 23rd. We went to apply for his SS card on July 25th. When we checked the phone system on the status two weeks ago, they said that they had no record of his application. We marched down to the local SS office (where he applied the next day). The showed that he application was in the system but said they are still "awaiting INS clearance". When the SS representative showed us the info on his screen, next to verification it said "SUSPECT"! Should I be worried??? It has now been about 7 weeks since he applied....

Can anyone offer any corrective action suggestions?

Also, we are about to apply for the AOS:

1) Does he defintely need a SSN in order for it to be processed in a timely fashion?

2) If his EAD expires before the SSN arrives, can we even file a I-765 as a renewal?

Looking forward to your feedback!

Thanks!

[Shannon and David 0]

Hi. He doesn't need a SSN in order for AOS to be processed in a timely fashion.

Having a SSN will not verify that he can work; in fact if he receives a SSN, it will say on the card, "Valid for work only with DHS authorization."

Once the I-94 and work permission stamp (don't know what it's called exactly) expires (I assume that he has some sort of work stamp from JFK), he will not be able to work until he has his EAD. You can either file for EAD separately or file for AOS/EAD/AP all at once for $1010.

[ELW 5]

That is a bummer about the SSN. I don't know about the "suspect" part, but I know you should have waited about two weeks after he arrived in USA, to apply for the SSN. That is because his name takes a few days to get into the system. Since you applied before his name got in the system, they had to send paperwork to INS to confirm he is actually in the country. I heard that it could take MONTHS for that to clear! Whereas waiting two weeks after arriving in USA, the name shows up on their computer immediately and the SSN arrives within a week.

Your only choice is to sit and wait until they can straighten out the paperwork. Everything should be fine and he will eventually get the SSN.

Like Shannon and David said, SSN is not necessary for the AOS to be processed in a timely manner. Many people file before getting an SSN and they get approved just fine.

When you file for AOS, the EAD is included, and EAD is usually approved first. The EAD is valid for a year and the SSN will definitely come before then so you are fine. Hopefully the green card, valid for 2 years, will come soon after the EAD so he can work and no EAD renewal will be necessary.

[Otto 83]

Also, we are about to apply for the AOS:

1) Does he defintely need a SSN in order for it to be processed in a timely fashion?You do not need to have a social sercurity number/card to file for AOS, EAD or even AP

2) If his EAD expires before the SSN arrives, can we even file a I-765 as a renewal?S/Security card/number is not required for EAD and has no bearing.

Looking forward to your feedback!

Thanks!

Edited September 13, 2008 by Karin und Otto

[lisakenn 1]

Hey VJ members,

I am hoping some one can give us some advice on what to do. My fiance (husband now) arrived in the US on July 23rd. We went to apply for his SS card on July 25th. When we checked the phone system on the status two weeks ago, they said that they had no record of his application. We marched down to the local SS office (where he applied the next day). The showed that he application was in the system but said they are still "awaiting INS clearance". When the SS representative showed us the info on his screen, next to verification it said "SUSPECT"! Should I be worried??? It has now been about 7 weeks since he applied....

Can anyone offer any corrective action suggestions?

Also, we are about to apply for the AOS:

1) Does he defintely need a SSN in order for it to be processed in a timely fashion?

2) If his EAD expires before the SSN arrives, can we even file a I-765 as a renewal?

Looking forward to your feedback!

Thanks!

You cannot get a SSN until you have a permanent resident card issued to you. We got married in January 2006 and immediately applied for AOS. Once the permanent resident card arrived, I was able to obtain a SSN, but not before. The SS office would not process my request without it. I received my permanent resident card in June of 2006 and went to the SS office immediately, and was isued a SSN by mail in approx. one week then got a job 3 days later.

Edited September 13, 2008 by lisakenn

[lisakenn 1]

Hey VJ members,

I am hoping some one can give us some advice on what to do. My fiance (husband now) arrived in the US on July 23rd. We went to apply for his SS card on July 25th. When we checked the phone system on the status two weeks ago, they said that they had no record of his application. We marched down to the local SS office (where he applied the next day). The showed that he application was in the system but said they are still "awaiting INS clearance". When the SS representative showed us the info on his screen, next to verification it said "SUSPECT"! Should I be worried??? It has now been about 7 weeks since he applied....

Can anyone offer any corrective action suggestions?

Also, we are about to apply for the AOS:

1) Does he defintely need a SSN in order for it to be processed in a timely fashion?

2) If his EAD expires before the SSN arrives, can we even file a I-765 as a renewal?

Looking forward to your feedback!

Thanks!

You cannot get a SSN until you have a permanent resident card issued to you. We got married in January 2006 and immediately applied for AOS. Once the permanent resident card arrived, I was able to obtain a SSN, but not before. The SS office would not process my request without it. I received my permanent resident card in June of 2006 and went to the SS office immediately, and was isued a SSN by mail in approx. one week then got a job 3 days later.

You should apply for AOS as soon as possible, as it takes awhile for the INS people to process your application...In our case approx. 5 months...I wanted to work before, I got the card, but could not....

We used the services of a lawyer to file, and his instructions were clear and correct.

Best of luck to you and congratulations on your marriage! If you have any questions on the AOS process, email me if you need any help...I just had my 2 year conditons removed and recieved my 10 year card a few weeks ago...

[Zee Bee 61]

Hey VJ members,

I am hoping some one can give us some advice on what to do. My fiance (husband now) arrived in the US on July 23rd. We went to apply for his SS card on July 25th. When we checked the phone system on the status two weeks ago, they said that they had no record of his application. We marched down to the local SS office (where he applied the next day). The showed that he application was in the system but said they are still "awaiting INS clearance". When the SS representative showed us the info on his screen, next to verification it said "SUSPECT"! Should I be worried??? It has now been about 7 weeks since he applied....

Can anyone offer any corrective action suggestions?

Also, we are about to apply for the AOS:

1) Does he defintely need a SSN in order for it to be processed in a timely fashion?

2) If his EAD expires before the SSN arrives, can we even file a I-765 as a renewal?

Looking forward to your feedback!

Thanks!

You cannot get a SSN until you have a permanent resident card issued to you. We got married in January 2006 and immediately applied for AOS. Once the permanent resident card arrived, I was able to obtain a SSN, but not before. The SS office would not process my request without it. I received my permanent resident card in June of 2006 and went to the SS office immediately, and was isued a SSN by mail in approx. one week then got a job 3 days later.

K1's can get an SSN upon entry. The only time they would need a greencard or EAD to get it is if the I-94 has expired or it is 2 weeks until the I-94 expires.

We applied for my husband's SSN 2 weeks after he got here and there were no questions about having permanent residency.

Don't know why the SS office would not process yours without one.

[Shannon and David 0]

You cannot get a SSN until you have a permanent resident card issued to you. We got married in January 2006 and immediately applied for AOS. Once the permanent resident card arrived, I was able to obtain a SSN, but not before. The SS office would not process my request without it. I received my permanent resident card in June of 2006 and went to the SS office immediately, and was isued a SSN by mail in approx. one week then got a job 3 days later.

K1's can get an SSN upon entry. The only time they would need a greencard or EAD to get it is if the I-94 has expired or it is 2 weeks until the I-94 expires.

We applied for my husband's SSN 2 weeks after he got here and there were no questions about having permanent residency.

Don't know why the SS office would not process yours without one.

I agree with ZeeNusah. K1 visa holders can indeed get their SSN. The information from Lisakenn is not correct. Often times the people who work at the SSA do not know the rules about this. I'm sorry that the person there was uninformed (see my signature below for what we went through as well).

Here is a link to the VJ guide to obtaining a SSN...

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...om&page=ssn

Please also be aware that the use of a lawyer to do AOS is not required either.

Good luck!

Edited September 14, 2008 by Shannon and David

[BrownSugarHoney 0]

Thanks for the feedback everyone! I thought applying for a SS Card was something I did not have to research ahead of time. CLEARLY, I WAS WRONG. From here on in, VJ will be consulted before I do anything! I feel so sorry for by baby, He is BORED out of his mind! Will keep you updated! And THANKS AGAIN!

[ELW 5]

My husband passed his time happily when he got a volunteer job through the following website. Sometimes the contacts lead to employment too!

http://www.volunteermatch.org/