Luxylux

~Moved from Fam.-based AOS to SSN Forum~

~Inquiry about SSN~

(mod hat off)

Welcome to the forum.

For clarification, Form I-765 is the Application for the Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

http://www.uscis.gov/i-765

After you receive your EAD/AP combo card, take it, and a completed SS-5 application, to a SSA office. The SSN card you will receive will have the "Valid for work only with DHS Authorization" statement on it. The I-765/I-131 EAD/AP Combo card (or later Green Card (GC)) is the requisite DHS authorization document. After you receive your 2-yr conditional Green Card, you can take it, and a another completed SS-5 application to the SSA office and apply to receive another SSN card without the "Valid work..." statement on it.

http://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf

Good luck on your immigration journey.

Thank you.

Yes, I know that the I765 is the application for employment authorization, as I filled it in and sent it myself.... The letter I received on Saturday says however "THE FORM I-766, EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENT WITH I-512 ENDORSEMENT, WILL BE SENT TO YOU SEPARATELY". So the for I-766 is what is referred as the EAD/AP "combo card", but my question was if the letter I have received, saying that my application has been approved would be enough to go to the social security office and get my SSN OR if I have to wait for the card.

I have my green card interview on Monday as you can see in my signature so I might not get the ead/ap card before that....

Thanks.

Hi everyone,

I received a few days ago a letter telling me that "my application for employment authorization and advance parole has been approved" and that "the form I-766 will be sent to you separately".

A few questions:

- is the form I-766 the ead card that everyone is talking about?

- I missed the window to get my SSN when I got here so I've heard that I could only get it with once my work permit was approved... so do I have to wait for the card or can I go to the SSO with this letter of approval?

- does anyone know how long it takes for the card to be sent after the notice of approval?

I'm really surprised because it seems like most people received their card without the letter of approval... and also the online status of my case is still "your case was received"... CONFUSED.

Thank you so much!

Lucie

To everyone: I just received my notice of approval in the mail!! For some reason the status still hasn't been updated online but I'm so happy!! Thank you guys

We are on a very similar time frame - we submitted our AOS paperwork a few days after you (March 27) and got a NOA date of 10 April. Somehow we got the apptment for biometrics before you - on May 1. But since the biometric apptmnt, it has been completely silent. Not a word from immigration. Very frustrating for us. I think it is very encouraging that you got an interview scheduled. I wish we could get an interview! Good luck and you are on your way!

Thank you so much!! I know it's a bit silly of me to complain when we are in the lucky position of already knowing our interview date... I hope that you'll hear very soon! You can contact USCIS by the way re your work permit and advanced parole as it states on their website that you can do so after 75 days. Wasn't super helpful in my case but you never know!!

Good luck!!

Not sure if it's worth it now, but you can apply to have your EAD expedited based on a job offer. Seems to have been successful for a number of people.

That's a pretty quick interview turnaround. I don't think it means anything bad at all...or anything, really, except that your field office has it together!

Separate divisions within USCIS process the I-131 and I-765 applications from the I-485, so they have almost nothing to do with each other other than you must have filed an I-485 to file the others. I received my EAD literally the day before my first interview; that was just how it all shook out.

It's nothing bad at all, it's not that the permit took a long time, your interview date is just super fast. As the other poster said, if you can get a valid job offer you can apply for the expedite, now it's so close not sure if it's worth it or would be done in time.

Thank you so much guys! I know there's not really anything I can do but wait... but sometimes it's just really helpful and reassuring to read other people's experience! So thank you, I really appreciate it.

And as for the expedite, our interview is in less than 10 days so I think I might as well wait... and I'm also not sure the job offer is still standing, I think they went for an american candidate after I explained my situation... oh well, onwards and upwards as they say!

Thank you!!!!

Hi everyone,

(disclaimer: this post is half venting because I am REALLY frustrated/half trying to get other people's experience)

So we sent the whole package for our AOS back in March and received last week or so a notice telling us that our interview has been scheduled for June 29. I was really surprised because I thought it would take way longer before the interview... but also because I thought I would get my work permit before.

I contacted USCIS to ask them about my work permit as it had been 77 days and received an email saying: "Recently you contacted us about the status of your case. Your case is currently under review. You should receive a decision or notice of other action shortly." and I know they are supposed to reply within 3 months which, in our case, would mean June 24 - FIVE days before our interview.

So I know that you must think that I should just wait for the interview and not worry about the work permit but I am really frustrated as I had a job proposition recently and couldn't do anything about it... and also I missed the window to get my social security number after arriving in the country so I haven't been able to get one since, or health insurance, or my driving license (I live in LA, so that's a big one)

I'm also worried that it could be a bad sign?

Anyway, if anyone has had a similar experience recently I would love to hear it.

Thank you so much,

Lucie

When you get EAD, you are eligible to get a SSN, not as a K1, but under your new status of work authorized.

Thank you so much Nich-Nick, super helpful as always!

Hi guys,

I moved to LA end of 2014 and got married, sent everything for the AOS, got confirmation it had been received, etc, etc... But completely forgot to apply for a SSN... and now my I-94 is expired.

When can I apply for a SSN then? I don't necessarily feel like I need a SSN now, as I can't work before my EAD anyway, but I just want to make sure I'm doing everything the way I should.

Thank you so much for your help,

Lucie

I don't think that matters. In a way, you are reporting your whereabouts by giving your new address on the customs form. Start the AOS from scratch, not worrying about the old petition...new name, new address...whatever applies to your new married self.

Thank you once again!!! You've been incredibly helpful through this whole process! 15 days!!!

No need to inform USCIS at this stage, just use the new address when you file for AOS.

Okay, thank you! I was just wondering if they were not going to ask questions at the POE because the address I'll put on the form they give on the plane will be different from the address in my K1 package...?

Hi everyone,

My K1 was approved and I am flying to LA on the 23rd of December. My fiancé just moved into a new flat, do we need to let USCIS know? How do we do that?

Thanks a lot!!

I looked for official documentation once and I believe there isn't any spelled out in black and white. I found an article on the subject where they interviewed prominent immigration attorneys and posed similar questions. Six said yes and six had equally good points against based on their interpretation of law. I think it is a "don't ask, don't tell" kind of thing. I don't really know who would know or call you on it. They know we have illegals, but they aren't pulling them off the streets. My illegal yard guy files $200k income tax for his business every year.

That's what I thought, I can't find anything clear one way or the other. Thanks a lot!

Hi everyone,

So I have my visa and my one-way ticket for end of December (exciiiiiting) and some money saved up for the months during when I won’t be able to work.

I have a question though: I currently work full time and as a freelance on the side for a company based in California. The company is excited to know that I’m going to be moving to LA and they would love to carry on working with me once I’m in the US.

I’m currently invoicing them through elance.com (paid on my UK account) and my question is: is it possible to carry on working as freelance while waiting for my work permit? (“Possible” as in “legal”, of course) Could someone point me in the direction of the legal texts/websites/anything official on the matter?

Also, I would love to do an unpaid internship in January, would that be allowed?(same thing, I've read everything and the opposite on the subject so if anyone has official links to provide that would be great)

Thanks a lot for your help!

Hello everybody,

I had my interview at the US Embassy London today and was approved. Would just like to take the time to write a huge thank you to this whole community especially those who took the time to answer any queries that myself or my Fianceé may have asked.

Will write a full review at some point tonight!

Many thanks

Adam and Laura

Yay!!! Amazing!! I was approved a few weeks ago in London too so I definitely know how you feel! When are you moving and where to?

Congrats to both of you!! xx

Did you receive your email from the courier on sunday or was it before then. I'm starting to get a bit twitchy as to Wether or not ill get my passport back in time.

I got an email from the embassy with the tracking number on Friday and I checked on the courier website and it says it would be ready today so I am going to pick it up at lunchtime.

When did you have your interview? And when do you need to go? The whole process seemed pretty quick to me!

Have you had any news? I had my interview today and I want to know when will my visa be ready to pick up

Not sure about the "no status" status. Could be that you caught them mid-way updating your details.

When your visa documents have been released by the visa unit, they'll send you an email with a tracking link. I believe they process the documents in batches, so you might be one of the earlier or later people in the batch. If you don't hear anything within 2 weeks from your interview date, try the online contact form and ask them to confirm the date when your documents were released. You can then chase it up with the courier company.

Sorry guys, for some reason I'm only seeing your replies now. My visa was issued and I'm going to pick it up tomorrow! good luck with everything!!

I've read the guides/FAQs, searched the forums, and I have not yet found a definitive answer for some questions I have regarding former (and current) receipt of government aid and sponsorship requirements. I know this can be a sensitive issue, so in an attempt to avoid arguments and insults as I've seen in the past, I'm going to provide an explicit timeline of my family's situation before asking any questions. I'd like to thank you all in advance for helping to keep this a civil discussion about facts, not opinions.

TIMELINE

1. In 2004 my parents separated (later divorced), which forced my mom, myself, and my siblings into Section 8, public housing. At this time, I was 15 and still in school. We also began receiving Food Stamps, and I was on Medicaid until I turned 18; my mom, still being eligible, remained on it longer.

2. My mom attended school while working part-time to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. She graduated in 2006 or 2007 and began working, but due to illness had to take a leave of absence. Although her job had said she would be able to return, they didn't let her, and so she became unemployed.

3. In 2008 the economy crashed and demand for CNAs plummeted. My mom was able to get a few jobs over the following years, but ultimately was no longer as employable as she had been when she graduated and few lasted longer than a couple of months.

4. In 2009 I began attending a community college and began working as an on-campus tutor as soon as I could; at this time I also began working at my synagogue's religious school.

5. After remaining unemployed for some time, in 2011 my mother decided to return to school to complete her BS in Nursing.

6. In 2012 I graduated with my associate degree and transfered to a university, where I have continued to work on campus in various jobs. I am currently a senior, but as part of the requirements for an honors program I belong to, classes I'm taking this year may count as my first year of grad school, so I hope to take one additional year and graduate with my master's in May 2016. Since I only work part-time on campus, I do not meet the sponsorship requirements; additionally (if this may be important), none of the benefits my family has received were in my name since my mother had filed for all of them.

7. This past May my mother graduated and has been working as an RN at a hospital since then. Because she had been previously unemployed, we qualify for a program through Section 8 that they will not count her first year of income toward our rent to help us get back on our feet; we are looking for alternative housing options, but nothing has come through yet. She is no longer on Medicaid since we have insurance through her job, and we no longer receive SNAP benefits (Food Stamps). Additionally, since she had been unemployed at the time, she was not required to file taxes last year. Her annual salary is $41,000, but since she's only been working since May this entire ammount will not be reflected on this year's tax returns. If possible, she plans to co-sponsor my fiance.

QUESTIONS

A. Will the fact that our address is public housing be grounds for an automatic denial by USCIS?

B. The FAQ for K1 visas mention that people who have received a "lifetime" of aid or have "no plans to work actively" may lead to denial on accounts of the likelihood of the beneficiary becoming a public charge. However, both of these terms are inherently vague: does my family qualify as a receiving a lifetime of aid? Clearly we're working or in school intending to work, so will this automatically show "plans to work actively," or would an additional statement be required?

C. I filed my taxes as an independent last year, so assuming my mother can be our co-sponsor, would she need to meet the poverty level for a household of 3 (herself, my younger brother, and my fiance) or 4 (plus me)?

D. Given the above, and the fact that my mother's income on her taxes will not be at the full $41,000 (and may be close to the required minimum, depending if I'm counted or not), would it be best to find a second co-sponsor?

E. I know processing times variy immensely, but assuming my family's situation won't be grounds for denial, how soon would it be safe to file the I-129f, so we'll have IRS tax transcripts by the time we need the I-134?

FINAL REMARKS

In reading similar threads, it seems like a pair of comments always come up: "Why is anyone not able to support themselves bringing a fiance here?" and "Why should my taxes pay for everyone else if I'm not getting anything out of the system?"

The second question isn't relevant to this site, so I won't make any remarks about it, but if you're interested in my opinion as someone who's been on the receiving end of federal aid, I welcome (polite) personal messages. (Blatant insults may not receive a reply; I'm here to learn, not to argue.)

In regards to the second question, I need only ask, "Would you rather struggle with the ones you love, or struggle while they're halfway around the world?" In my situation in particular, my family is transitioning off federal aid, and it's only a matter of "can we file now, or do we need to wait another year until it's fully behind us?" Clearly, if we can file now, we'd much rather be together than keep waiting. I hope this may answer some questions and help stave off the venomous arguments I've seen develop in the past. I really do value the helpfulness of this forum, and I hope you're able to lend me the guidance I need.

Darren

Hi Darren,

I'm probably not in the best place to answer any of your questions being a bit of a newbie myself so I won't attempt to do so...

but if you allow me I would just like to say well done to you and your mother for putting in the hard work and not losing hope to turn your situation around.

And a million of mazels for managing to do so. This takes a lot of strength and I personally find your story very inspiring.

I really hope that others on this forum will give you encouraging answers and I wish you and your fiancé a lifetime of happiness! (and best of luck to your mother in her job!)

That is totally normal! I felt the same way, I was a nervous wreck waiting for him to get off the plane! All should be well now, We're marrying this weekend, so we have extra time to file that AoS before the 90 days up and he's not "out of status" at all!

If you don't already have plans, I would recommend a quick "courthouse" wedding (ours will be outside with a Justice of the Peace, and a small simply ceremony with only my mother and children present, but it's the same general idea). You can put something lovely and intimate together, even look up some "Elopement Packages" in your state! Some offer a fantastic and very classy service for under $1k, with a night's stay, meal(s), and fully prepared ceremony in their home, garden, courtyard, etc.

We're going to have an "unofficial" (since we'll be technically married) ceremony next summer, when we have time to book vendors and the such.

We actually have booked a lovely venue for March 1st and we are planning a lovely, quite small (50 people) wedding with our close ones and families.

But as everything went quicker than we thought I will move right before the holidays (so excited about that!!) and we'll probably to a quick courthouse wedding early January so I can already file for my AoS and we are not "loosing" the two months-ish before the "big/real" wedding.

Enjoy your wedding this weekend and all my congratulations to you both!! xx

AP is necessary while they finish up the paperwork, it's a great sign! Keep an eye on it, and when the "case creation date" changes it means your visa will be "ready" soon!

I can't wait to actually have it in my hands! I think everything went so smoothly in comparison to what I was expecting that I keep on thinking something terrible might now happen! (silly me!)

Thank you!!

Yes, K-1 is a non-immigrant visa but it is processed by the Immigrant visa unit of the embassy. Confusing, I know!

But in checking for a K1 visa status in the ceac site, one has to choose the Immigrant visa option. Make sure you have all the numbers correct, including the "LND" letters too.

OMG, thank you so much! I had just been stupidly using the same application number and it didn't work (because I used the AA00 number). I've now tried with my LND number and it worked.

It says that my visa is in "administrative processing" but I have read that it's quite common to show this way even after being approved so I'm less worried.

Thank you so much!

Did you choose "Immigrant visa"? https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx

I didn't at first as the fiancé visa is a non immigrant visa, isn't it? But anyway if I choose "immigrant" then it tells me something like my application number isn't recognised...

Hi guys,

I'm probably worrying about nothing again (ahem) but I had my interview today in London and the guy told me I was approved. I spent the whole day on cloud 9 and tonight I checked my status on ceac... and it says "no status"?! what does that mean? And also when my visa is ready, will they notify me by email or by text? I decided to pick it up as it's close to work and I can't afford any extra expense.

Thanks so much guys!!!

Lucie

Hi guys,

I'm probably worrying about nothing again (ahem) but I had my interview today and the guy told me I was approved. I spent the whole day on cloud 9 and tonight I checked my status on ceac... and it says "no status"?! what does that mean? And also when my visa is ready, will they notify me by email or by text? I decided to pick it up as it's close to work and I can't afford any extra expense.

Thanks so much guys!!!

Lucie

Probably not. He has $3k he keeps in cash? Hope he doesn't have a fire or break in.

Yeah, I know. I think he's just trying to prevent himself from spending it but I did tell him to put in on his account as well.

Anyway, he sent me his tax return just now and it shows 23K for 2013 instead of the 20K he put on the affidavit. (He told me that as his income fluctuates he wanted to give a realistic projection for this year) Would that be a problem in any way? Or a good proof to include? What do you think?

Thank you!!

Lucie

I didn't get asked for any proof what so ever, she just asked for the support form and that was it, I was a tad worried as I only took a letter from the employer.

Oh wow so you just handed in your I134 when you arrived and they didn't ask you any question during the interview?

We do give first our documents to the person at the reception before the interview, right?

You can use a scan/email of his savings if you want more financial info. Also take your savings proof. London will consider any of that if in doubt, and it might make you less nervous to take some extras in your bag to pull out if needed.

His savings are in cash so do you think an email from him telling me how much he has would help?