Applying for a Social Security numer

[jlo 0]

Hello everyone!

I tried searching the forum for an answer but could not get one for our specific situation.

My wife arrived March 27th via K-1 visa, got married April 8 and we are in the process of putting together our I-485. After reading on the forum that we can apply for a SSN, we went to an SS office in Ontario, Ca and was told we should be receiving a workers permit from immigration via postal mail anytime soon. I searched hours on this forum and did not find anything specific to having that requirement to obtain an SSN via a K-1 visa.

Could someone help me to see if that Office was incorrect or am I actually lacking documents? Also, should it be better to apply for the SSN after receiving the green card?

Thanks in Advance!!

[^KK^ 3]

You have to go to SSA.gov and print out the information that states that K-1 can get a ssn. The office may not be familiar with K-1 visas.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

You have to go to SSA.gov and print out the information that states that K-1 can get a ssn. The office may not be familiar with K-1 visas.

sadly that seems the case most times...

[raymaga 25]

I wanted my SSN card to have my married name on it, so I went to the SSA office 2 days after my marriage, with my certified marriage certificate and my passport. I had been in the U.S. for 1 month at that time, and had no problem getting my SSN card a couple weeks later in the mail.

[AngelSaint 0]

Every state varies with regards to SSN application and DMV licensing. Here in Nevada, u can easily apply for SSN before or after marriage with no EAD yet. Just be sure to put a check mark in the section "Alien Allowed to Work" in the application form or else, if you indicate not allowed to work, the teller will get confused why are u applying for SSN when u are not allowed to work and will also require you to provide a working permit then. Bring your certified marriage license, passport with I-94 and other Identification card.

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

You need to read this: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...om&page=ssn

[Readerchoice 6]

Hello everyone!

I tried searching the forum for an answer but could not get one for our specific situation.

My wife arrived March 27th via K-1 visa, got married April 8 and we are in the process of putting together our I-485. After reading on the forum that we can apply for a SSN, we went to an SS office in Ontario, Ca and was told we should be receiving a workers permit from immigration via postal mail anytime soon. I searched hours on this forum and did not find anything specific to having that requirement to obtain an SSN via a K-1 visa.

Could someone help me to see if that Office was incorrect or am I actually lacking documents? Also, should it be better to apply for the SSN after receiving the green card?

Thanks in Advance!!

I think once your wife application I486 is approved and work permit should be as well, once you have the work permit authorized in hand then go down to the SSN office with all the paper from the GOV that stating the your status adjustment has been approved and your wife is also now permited to work, they will process a SS# as fast as 2 week.!

Yes true SS# department & USCI gov does not or always communicate so you MUST show prove.

Hope that answer your question.

[Slightly Bonkers 0]

Every state varies with regards to SSN application and DMV licensing.

My understanding is that SS rules are federal and do not officially vary from state to state.

Anecdotal evidence proves that from office to office and SS worker to worker the knowledge of the rules and what they think is correct does vary hugely.

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

I think once your wife application I486 is approved and work permit should be as well, once you have the work permit authorized in hand then go down to the SSN office with all the paper from the GOV that stating the your status adjustment has been approved and your wife is also now permited to work, they will process a SS# as fast as 2 week.!

I know you are trying to help, but maybe it would be better if you didn't give inaccurate, confusing information.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hello everyone!

I tried searching the forum for an answer but could not get one for our specific situation.

My wife arrived March 27th via K-1 visa, got married April 8 and we are in the process of putting together our I-485. After reading on the forum that we can apply for a SSN, we went to an SS office in Ontario, Ca and was told we should be receiving a workers permit from immigration via postal mail anytime soon. I searched hours on this forum and did not find anything specific to having that requirement to obtain an SSN via a K-1 visa.

Could someone help me to see if that Office was incorrect or am I actually lacking documents? Also, should it be better to apply for the SSN after receiving the green card?

Thanks in Advance!!

K-1 is eligible for SSN immediately. It never ceases to amaze me that untrained clerks would rather invent a new "law" out of whole cloth, than ask a supervisor. Go back to the SS office and ask for a supervisor. You will not be receiving anything from "immigration" (she can't even get the name of the agency or the document correct) unless you apply for it and you do not need an EAD or anything else for a K-1.

Check the SS guides at this site. The only disagreement I have with VJ guides is they say to wait two weeks to apply for the SSN, it isn't necessary to wait, you can drive from the airport to the SS office and get her card.

[rebeccajo 14]

Hello everyone!

I tried searching the forum for an answer but could not get one for our specific situation.

My wife arrived March 27th via K-1 visa, got married April 8 and we are in the process of putting together our I-485. After reading on the forum that we can apply for a SSN, we went to an SS office in Ontario, Ca and was told we should be receiving a workers permit from immigration via postal mail anytime soon. I searched hours on this forum and did not find anything specific to having that requirement to obtain an SSN via a K-1 visa.

Could someone help me to see if that Office was incorrect or am I actually lacking documents? Also, should it be better to apply for the SSN after receiving the green card?

Thanks in Advance!!

K-1 is eligible for SSN immediately. It never ceases to amaze me that untrained clerks would rather invent a new "law" out of whole cloth, than ask a supervisor. Go back to the SS office and ask for a supervisor. You will not be receiving anything from "immigration" (she can't even get the name of the agency or the document correct) unless you apply for it and you do not need an EAD or anything else for a K-1.

Check the SS guides at this site. The only disagreement I have with VJ guides is they say to wait two weeks to apply for the SSN, it isn't necessary to wait, you can drive from the airport to the SS office and get her card.

Well you can.

That doesn't invalidate the fact that a Social Security number can't be issued to an alien until their entry into the country has been verified from CBP and airline records. Which usually takes about two weeks.

Anytime a member has a query about Social Security, the best source for an ACCURATE answer is the posts of the member "I Quit".

[jlo 0]

Thank you very much everyone!! I did indeed read the guideline on this very helpful forum to help my wife apply for her SSN. I knew from the time the representative told me we should be receiving the "permit to work" I knew she's somewhat uninformed.

I almost feel like returning and actually asking the supervisor to prove to me that a K-1 holder needs a workers permit from immigration.

So we all agree a K-1 holder is eligible for an SSN?

[Cino 5]

To make your story short here is the info you are looking for :

Print this page & take it with you to the local SS Office, if the clerk does not understand, please ask to see a supervisor.

If they want to, they can access their own web site & get the same info like printed on the paper.

GOOD LUCK !....

SS Application for K-1 Visa Holders

Edited April 22, 2009 by Cino

[Cino 5]

Btw, she has mixed up your case with K-3 Visa Holders.

Yes, They do need a valid EAD tp apply for SS# !...... but not your wife!.....

Edited April 22, 2009 by Cino

[payxibka 10,045]

Every state varies with regards to SSN application and DMV licensing. Here in Nevada, u can easily apply for SSN before or after marriage with no EAD yet. Just be sure to put a check mark in the section "Alien Allowed to Work" in the application form or else, if you indicate not allowed to work, the teller will get confused why are u applying for SSN when u are not allowed to work and will also require you to provide a working permit then. Bring your certified marriage license, passport with I-94 and other Identification card.

SSA is a Federal agency... no variation from state to state