Apply for EAD & SSN two weeks from arrival....

[britishandusa 446]

29 minutes ago, DESERT_ROSE said:

Can only get a SS card once EAD is approved otherwise, if issued it will reflect in bold. "Employment not authorized".

Save yourself the hassle to replace at a later date.

SSA offices are always packed, worse than DMV.

Not true in the slightest. We applied for SSN literally a few days post POE arrival (before marriage and before EAD card) and we got our SSN within a week or two. It does say “cannot work without Homeland security approval” or something alone those lines. We have our EAD card as of last September.  But once you have your EAD, you can get it removed IF you want to but the EAD IS your authorization to work. 

 

And to be fair, our DMV at our location is worst than our SSN office here! 

Edited January 26, 2019 by britishandusa

[geowrian 22,335]

3 minutes ago, britishandusa said:

But once you have your EAD, you can get it removed IF you want to but the EAD IS your authorization to work. 

A restricted SS card is issued with an EAD as well.

The only way to get an unrestricted card is with a green card or US citizenship.

[DESERT_ROSE 15]

I understand your point.  But can't get a valid SS without an approved ead. Employers use e verify which is linked to the SS administration, not the EAD.

Once your EAD is approved, then can get an SS card.

[geowrian 22,335]

14 minutes ago, DESERT_ROSE said:

I understand your point.  But can't get a valid SS without an approved ead. Employers use e verify which is linked to the SS administration, not the EAD.

Once your EAD is approved, then can get an SS card.

Individuals with K-1 status qualify for an SSN (but not work eligibility without an EAD) for the first 76 days of entry (90 days - 14 days of legal status required).

 

Edit: SSA POMS: https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211530

Edited January 26, 2019 by geowrian
Emphasized incorrect statements

[DESERT_ROSE 15]

That's why I say "employment not authorized" which means cannot work until final approval. Upon such, will need to make a trip back to SS to apply for a new one to remove it. Number doesn't change.

 

[Scandi 3,970]

Definitely apply for a SSN before you do anything else. You can apply for it anytime you like, the sooner the better, after your arrival in the US. I applied for mine on my 4th day in the US. We applied for my SSN, went to get our marriage license and booked a date for our wedding on the same day, actually. 

 

If you want to speed things up you can absolutely go apply for your SSN on day 1 in the US, and get married on day 2. As an example. Many people have had issues getting an SSN after getting married, so it's recommended to apply for the SSN first thing. You don't  need the SSN to get married, so you don't  need to wait for it, as long as you have at least applied for it.

Edited January 26, 2019 by Scandi

[WaterLeaf 199]

4 hours ago, DESERT_ROSE said:

SSA offices are always packed, worse than DMV.

Can confirm, been to 3+ offices and many of them are.

[Neonred 3,446]

5 hours ago, DESERT_ROSE said:

I understand your point.  But can't get a valid SS without an approved ead. Employers use e verify which is linked to the SS administration, not the EAD.

Once your EAD is approved, then can get an SS card.

 

5 hours ago, DESERT_ROSE said:

That's why I say "employment not authorized" which means cannot work until final approval. Upon such, will need to make a trip back to SS to apply for a new one to remove it. Number doesn't change.

 

Wow, wrong again.  SS number is valid the minute it is issued.  K-1 does not need EAD to get SSN and does not need to go back to SS office to make it valid.  The SS card will say "not valid for work without authorization", but the EAD is the authorization.  The only way that wording comes off is with the green card, not by getting EAD.

[Crazy Cat 39,250]

8 hours ago, DESERT_ROSE said:

But can't get a valid SS without an approved ead.

What do you mean by "valid"?  A SS card obtained immediately after arrival via a K-1 is extremely useful for things such as opening a bank account, landlord background checks, establishing credit, filing taxes, etc......I'd call that a valid card for most anything other than work authorization which would, of course, require an EAD or GC.

[DESERT_ROSE 15]

That's what I was referring to by saying "not valid" for WORK ONLY".  However is valid for anything else.

 

[NikLR 13,220]

52 minutes ago, DESERT_ROSE said:

That's what I was referring to by saying "not valid" for WORK ONLY".  However is valid for anything else.

 

https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/cards.htm

 

If you got number 3, that was an error on the part of the SSA and you should correct it with the arrival of the EAD.  

[NikLR 13,220]

18 hours ago, Scottish Mernymph said:

....is what seems to be the advised way.....

If we've managed to pop along to the couthouse & get married in that time period would that make any difference to this please?

I would ideally like to obtain SSN & work permit asap.

Dont apply for EAD until AOS.  It takes minimum 90 days for the work authorization (closer to 180 days currently) and would only be valid until the i-94 expires at the 90 day mark.  Its a waste of money.  

Do apply for SSN as soon as you arrive in passport/visa name.  Dont wait until after marriage.  SSA employees arent the brightest as seeing outside the box. 

[Wuozopo 4,285]

1 hour ago, DESERT_ROSE said:

That's what I was referring to by saying "not valid" for WORK ONLY".  However is valid for anything else.

 

 

The actual statement printed on the card

"VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION"

 

Meaning for work purposes you need additional approval from the Dept of Homeland Security....immigration docs EAD or GREEN CARD. However it is valid for all other purposes as an ID number.  

[DESERT_ROSE 15]

Maybe that what is printed on it nowadays but in the old days it said. " Employment not authorized.

We can agree to disagree but was speaking on general for SS card.

Have lived in the states for four decades on a diplomatic/NATO visa and stuff was different and less complicated.

Good luck to all on your journey.

[Cyberfx1024 7,978]

1 hour ago, DESERT_ROSE said:

Maybe that what is printed on it nowadays but in the old days it said. " Employment not authorized.

We can agree to disagree but was speaking on general for SS card.

Have lived in the states for four decades on a diplomatic/NATO visa and stuff was different and less complicated.

Good luck to all on your journey.

It's been like that for several years now. I know when my wife came in on the K1 in 2012 it was like that.

5 hours ago, missileman said:

What do you mean by "valid"?  A SS card obtained immediately after arrival via a K-1 is extremely useful for things such as opening a bank account, landlord background checks, establishing credit, filing taxes, etc......I'd call that a valid card for most anything other than work authorization which would, of course, require an EAD or GC.

+1. That's why I love you man lol.