I-94 and K1 Visa Name Backwards

[wendlin 0]

My wife is from Vietnam where names are listed Last/Middle/First. When the consulate in Ho Chi Minh City issued the K1 Visa they made it match her passport for the given name on the Visa, Middle name then First  name. The consulate ensured her there would be no problem, but now that shes entered the country the I-94 also has the name backwards. So we couldn't get a Social Security Number in the correct name order.

 

I'm not to sure what the next steps are. File the Adjustment of Status and apply for a SSN through the I-765? Or would the USCIS just match the name on the I-94 for the green card and work authorization? Or is it a good idea to try and go down to a Customs and Border Protection office and see if they will correct the I-94 and/or Visa? Which would delay the AOS. I know this has been a common problem but couldn't find out how other people corrected it.

[IsabelleFredrick 6]

On 8/3/2019 at 9:59 AM, wendlin said:

My wife is from Vietnam where names are listed Last/Middle/First. When the consulate in Ho Chi Minh City issued the K1 Visa they made it match her passport for the given name on the Visa, Middle name then First  name. The consulate ensured her there would be no problem, but now that shes entered the country the I-94 also has the name backwards. So we couldn't get a Social Security Number in the correct name order.

 

I'm not to sure what the next steps are. File the Adjustment of Status and apply for a SSN through the I-765? Or would the USCIS just match the name on the I-94 for the green card and work authorization? Or is it a good idea to try and go down to a Customs and Border Protection office and see if they will correct the I-94 and/or Visa? Which would delay the AOS. I know this has been a common problem but couldn't find out how other people corrected it.

Did you come right with this? The same  happened to me, my correct name has been sent from SS office to immigration, and am trusting Ill get a SSN, but not sure. My AOS etc is now pending being mailed off. 

[Crazy Cat 39,220]

***Topic moved from General Immigration-Related discussion area  to Adjustment of Status from K1 and K3 Family based visas*****

[KULtoATL 1,551]

It is a common problem but I would personally get my name corrected with CBP FIRST before trying to do anything else. All you need to do is to contact CBP Deferred Inspection Sites closest to you to see if they would rectify the name issue. If they don't, you might have to contact the office that's closest to your partner's entry airport. Generally, you can do this over the phone because my then-fiance now husband actually made the call for me when I was back in my home country after visiting him and this was before we even file our I-129F. We wanted to make sure that the name matches to avoid unnecessary delays. Just know this though, some CBP officers might just tell people that they need to show up but hey, do what you gotta do.

 

Here's the list of CBP Deferred Inspection Sites: https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/deferred-inspection-sites

[wendlin 0]

The social security office would only issue a ssn in the backwards name, they said it was the law, so we first contacted the CBP to try and correct the I94. The CBP in Orlando said they have to match the K1 Visa and they couldn't help. Uscis said they didn't know and to contact the department of state (the consulate that issued the K1). The consulate in Vietnam said the name order was correct per regulations and they couldn't help.

In the end we contacted CBP in Philidelphia and they were able to help us correct the I94. Then we went back to the SSA and got a SSN with the correct name order. No idea why this is so hard.