After K-1 Approved and arrival in US.

[cirenebrown 1]

I am reading the K-1 Guide and it states the fiance should apply for an SSN as soon as they arrive in the US. Will SSA issue an SSN for work purposes only prior to Adjustment of Status filing? 

[TBoneTX 48,792]

Thread is moved from the K-1 Process forum to the Social Security Numbers subforum.

[OldUser 11,172]

The best time to get SSN is before getting married.

 

If you don't get it then, next opportunity when and if EAD is received. It can take many months, and it may never arrive. 

 

And then, after receiving green card.

 

Considering it can take many months, it's in your best interest to get SSN before marrying.

[Edward and Jaycel 2,417]

42 minutes ago, cirenebrown said:

Will SSA issue an SSN for work purposes only prior to Adjustment of Status filing

 

The SS Card issued will not be able to be used for employment until after the AOS is filed (assuming you file for the Employment Authorization concurrently with the I-485 in the AOS package). The SS Card will have a disclaimer printed on it that says, "Not Valid for Employment Without DHS Authorization". Once the Employment Authorization that you file with the AOS is approved and the EAD card is in hand, then you can use that and the SS Card for employment purposes. Up until that point the SSN can be used for adding your fiancé(e) / wife to your bank accounts, utility bills, etc. which will all be needed for proof of a bona fide marriage later in the process.

[P055UM 366]

Before marriage is without doubt the best time. Quickest and least confusing for everyone involved. 
 

If for some reason you can’t get there before you marry, go after you marry but before the I-94 expires. I had to do this because of covid-era SSA office policies. Note this route has a lower success rate, particularly if a name change is involved, but is 100% legitimate and many members on this site have got SSNs at this stage. 
 

Filing AoS doesn’t affect SS application, but it is likely that by the time you have got all your evidence together for AoS, you’ve used too much time on the I-94 and SSN can’t be issued in time before I-94 expires. 
 

After these two options, next is after receiving EAD, then GC. Good luck! 
 

tl;dr : apply for SSN as soon as possible!!

[wildbug100420 400]

2 hours ago, cirenebrown said:

I am reading the K-1 Guide and it states the fiance should apply for an SSN as soon as they arrive in the US. Will SSA issue an SSN for work purposes only prior to Adjustment of Status filing? 

Also appointments required now for social security no walk in allowed 

[Dashinka 26,365]

14 hours ago, OldUser said:

The best time to get SSN is before getting married.

 

If you don't get it then, next opportunity when and if EAD is received. It can take many months, and it may never arrive. 

 

And then, after receiving green card.

 

Considering it can take many months, it's in your best interest to get SSN before marrying.

 

11 hours ago, P055UM said:

Before marriage is without doubt the best time. Quickest and least confusing for everyone involved. 
 

If for some reason you can’t get there before you marry, go after you marry but before the I-94 expires. I had to do this because of covid-era SSA office policies. Note this route has a lower success rate, particularly if a name change is involved, but is 100% legitimate and many members on this site have got SSNs at this stage. 
 

Filing AoS doesn’t affect SS application, but it is likely that by the time you have got all your evidence together for AoS, you’ve used too much time on the I-94 and SSN can’t be issued in time before I-94 expires. 
 

After these two options, next is after receiving EAD, then GC. Good luck! 
 

tl;dr : apply for SSN as soon as possible!!

Just to clarify, a K1 entrant can apply for an SSN anytime after arrival regardless of when the wedding takes place as long as the I94 is valid.  Most recommend doing it with at least 2-3 weeks left on the I94 authorization.  In my wife’s case, we got married 2 weeks after her arrival on a K1, and since we were so busy with the wedding prep, we went to the SSA about a week after the wedding (~3 weeks after her arrival) and we were fine except the SSN was issued using her name on her passport rather than the name she took from our marriage.  She changed that after she got her GC in her new name.

[Neonred 4,072]

I don't know if things have changed, but if you didn't have 14 days left on your I-94 SSA, would not issue a SSN until the EAD or green card.

[JeanneAdil 7,418]

Make the appointment and get it ASAP

need the SS # to get DL or state ID

 

not always necessary for the following but it helps

it helps when trying to add or open bank account

it helps when adding or getting health care insurance

to rent apartment or auto or add to one of these

to start compiling credit information

 

you can download the form SS 5 from SS site and fill it out prior to appointment

if u check this site by going to search and posting SS card , u will see many a post from those who waited to long and couldn;t be added to a lease, or had issues with the bank,  etc

 

BTW  USCIS no longer applys for us