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[Edward and Jaycel 2,113]

10 hours ago, VNMH said:

Thank you so much for your advice. How long did your wife get her green card after she started the application? I wonder if my fiancée can work before receiving her green card. We are planning on getting ssn card first before getting married. Some people said if we getting married first, she won’t get her ssn until she receives her green card. 

 

We applied for and got my wife her SSN about 2 weeks after she arrived on her K-1 visa so as soon as she got her EAD she was able to start working. As others have said, apply for the EAD with form I-765 which is best to file concurrently (in the same envelope) with the I-485. There is a box you can check on that form to request a new SSN when it is approved. It hasn't been working as of late but it's worth a try. Once it's approved and if you don't get the SS Card within a week or so after the approval, make an appointment at your local SS Office to get her one after she receives the EAD Card.

Edited August 14 by Edward and Jaycel

[PokuPoku 37]

My wife applied for SSN before getting married, but never received anything, even after 2 months. Its been over 4 months since applying for work authorization, and still nothing.

Assume nothing will go smoothly. 

[VNMH 1]

On 8/14/2025 at 8:36 AM, Edward and Jaycel said:

 

We applied for and got my wife her SSN about 2 weeks after she arrived on her K-1 visa so as soon as she got her EAD she was able to start working. As others have said, apply for the EAD with form I-765 which is best to file concurrently (in the same envelope) with the I-485. There is a box you can check on that form to request a new SSN when it is approved. It hasn't been working as of late but it's worth a try. Once it's approved and if you don't get the SS Card within a week or so after the approval, make an appointment at your local SS Office to get her one after she receives the EAD Card.

Do I have to obtain a marriage certificate within 90 days or sending the I-485 package to USCIS within 90 days? We are waiting to obtain the marriage license. We want to obtain ssn first before getting married getting married. However, ssa office does not have an appointment until 9/9. What should I do? 

[OldUser 10,377]

36 minutes ago, VNMH said:

Do I have to obtain a marriage certificate within 90 days or sending the I-485 package to USCIS within 90 days? We are waiting to obtain the marriage license. We want to obtain ssn first before getting married getting married. However, ssa office does not have an appointment until 9/9. What should I do? 

Neither. You need to marry within 90 days. The sooner after wedding you file I-130, I-485 and other forms for adjustment, the better . Must marry within 90 days. SSN is secondary. Try other SSA locations too

Edited August 19 by OldUser

[Ryan H 3,925]

On 8/18/2025 at 10:46 PM, OldUser said:

Neither. You need to marry within 90 days. The sooner after wedding you file I-130, I-485 and other forms for adjustment, the better . Must marry within 90 days. SSN is secondary. Try other SSA locations too

 

I-130 will not be needed when filing to adjust from K1 after wedding.

[OldUser 10,377]

11 minutes ago, Ryan H said:

 

I-130 will not be needed when filing to adjust from K1 after wedding.

Good point