Tan&Ni

3 hours ago, Meg101 said:

Hi everyone! I hope y’all are keeping safe, happy and healthy! 🙂

 

Update from me:  no news on my cancelled green card interview from April being rescheduled. 

 

I FINALLY got my SSN changed to my married name and updated the SS office to let them know I have an EAD.

 

Backstory: I applied for a SSN within a week of arrival into the U.S rather than doing it with my GC forms - like I know some others have done! I knew I would need this number for a much smoother process when it came to opening a bank account, health insurance etc.  I got my card within a couple weeks but when I went back after I got married to change it into my new name, they couldn’t do it because my I-94 had expired so I kept failing the security clearance. I contacted them when I got my state ID and asked if I could use that but I was advised to come back again with my Greencard and they could definitely update using that. I decided to try again with my EAD on Thursday of last week and I got my updated SSN card in the mail today. 🙂🥳. Feeling very relieved to be one small step closer. 

 

Next steps for me are trying to tackle getting my driving license (a nightmare with COVID closing down the DMV/DOL) and then hopefully I will get some news on the greencard! 

 

This journey is teaching me patience, patience, patience!! 😃😉

 

Best of luck to everyone, wherever you are in this process and for whatever issue you are currently trying to resolve! It’s a very stressful time for us and also collectively so be KIND to yourself and to one another. 

 

❤️🌈🌸

 

Were you able to walk in at the SSA? If so, that’s amazing! The offices are still closed in Houston 😭😭😭

2 hours ago, Zsazsa said:

I was able to open an account with TD Bank when I got here last year. No SSN required. 

You’re so helpful, thanks!

50 minutes ago, sherif-fouad said:

I opened an account in Wells Fargo with no SSN. And I recommend that you apply for their secured credit card, it will help you build credit while waiting for your SSN.

Okay, thanks for the info!

Hello, does anyone know which banks allow you open a new account WITHOUT a social security number? 

On 6/27/2020 at 8:56 AM, Mwkaasj said:

I would send USCIS a letter explaining that the SS department wants you to mail them the Card and ask them if there is anyway they can order the SS number from their side given the covid circumstances.    They should be able to submit tue request from there side and save the risk.    Or call them and discuss what they can do from their side as if you would have checked the box originally. 

This is a good suggestion! I will try it. Thanks so much!

15 hours ago, AGF said:

Hi there ! I called our local office, asked for a supervisor’s call and she asked me why I need an in-person meeting. I told her that I need it to be enrolled in my husband’s health and life insurances, and his bank accounts, which are all needed for my future green card interview, and to be able to apply for a job. She considered all these, and finally granted me an appointment. I’m still waiting for the card though.. 

Thanks so much for responding!!!! Gonna call back today.

On 6/18/2020 at 9:32 AM, AGF said:

Hi guys, need your help. Came from a K1 visa,  I already got my EAD/AP combo card last May 18, and I have no SSN yet ( long story 😞).. with this pandemic thing going on, I was lucky enough to be granted an in-person meeting with the SSA tomorrow, June 19. My question is, should I apply under my married name or my maiden name? I asked because of this SAVE database thing.. if they will use my I-94 ( already expired ) and my passport, both would be under my maiden name.. I don’t want to risk being put into manual verification cause I need an SSN very BADLY.. thank you for your help !

Hi! Perhaps you can help me please? My husband has his EAD card but no SSN yet (also a long story🥴). How did you manage to get granted an in person meeting at SSA?!?!?!

10 minutes ago, Bars&Saqi said:

https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10107.pdf

It states: "Do I need to have my number before I start working? We don’t require you to have a Social Security number before you start work. However, the Internal Revenue Service requires employers to use your Social Security number to report your wages. While you wait for your Social Security number, your employer can use a letter from us stating you applied for a number, and your immigration documents can prove your authorization to work in the United States."

 

So basically, you can definitely start work. They give you a receipt that you applied for an SSN so if the employer is being finicky you can provide them with the above pdf, and the receipt that you applied. 

 

My question is why weren't you able to apply at the SSA office? Why did they turn you away? As long as you have the application form filled out they should be able to take the information and put it in the system for you - especially with a EAD? We were able to do it with just the marriage certificate, unexpired I-94 and the passport. Since SSA is federal I would assume they follow the same protocols? 

Thanks for the info on working without a SSN, that’s helpful. But he needs a license to be able to drive to work because Houston has very poor public transit & we live in the suburbs. And I work long hours so I’m unavailable to drop him off & pick him up.

We went in person 3 times to 2 different SSA to apply. We were told each time that we had to wait for the EAD to be assigned a number. They have us some bogus 1-800 number to call. When you call the number the 1st thing they ask for is your SSN. Literally nothing can be done in this state without it. I don’t understand why. That is what is frustrating me, that it varies SO MUCH from state to state. 🤬
 

Anyway, fast forward to today. My husband asked why can’t they just use his pending application that already exist from   when we were there in person & she said that if they don’t hear back/get approval from Dept of Homeland Security after 30 days then the application is discarded & we have to start the application from scratch AGAIN🤬

On 6/17/2020 at 12:07 AM, GSKhanuja said:

Hi Guys,

 

I received my EAD card 10 days ago but still didn't receive my SSN so I called the SSA office and they asked me to send my original documents to them in order for them to process my new SSN card. I sent out my original EAD card along with my passport to their office through a certified fedex mail. what could be the chances will my documents get lost while in transit?

Hi! We’re in the same predicament, but have yet to send the originals out. I will follow you now. If you don’t mind,  can you please do an update post when you receive your documents back? I’m extremely nervous to send my EAD, so that would be very helpful insight to have! 🙏🏽 

1 hour ago, HRQX said:

SSN isn't needed to begin employment. Though, it can delay his paycheck. See @JFH's experience with working before receiving the SSN: https://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/647628-enter-usa-with-ir1-visa/?do=findComment&comment=8798601

Not possible. Pre-pandemic the only options were going in-person with EAD or mailing in the EAD to the local office: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/ss5doc.htm "Important You must present original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies. All documents must be current (not expired). We cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document."

Thanks, I had no idea you could begin working without a SSN. Although working without pay (for an undetermined amount of time) sounds quite dreadful haha

1 hour ago, Bars&Saqi said:

Hello!

I might not be the best person to answer this as I live in WA where we got the SSN a month after marriage and the DL even before my husband had an SSN (they are super lenient here). Are you sure they need SSN if you have proof of residency (docs in your name with marriage cert) and EAD? 
 

However, I would definitely not take the risk of mailing off my EAD. You have no idea when (Or if) you will get it back and it is way too precious to take a risk with - especially because that is the only hard proof of our status here (besides AOS noa1). 
 

can you call them back and ask if a copy of both sides of it will work? 
 

also, since many states seem to be on the path to reopening I won’t be surprised if the offices open up really soon. I would wait if I were you (I know it’s frustrating without an SSN) but that’s my two cents.

Thanks for your response! Unfortunately in the state of Texas a social security number is a must to obtain a drivers license. And we did ask about sending a photocopy of the EAD, they said that wouldn’t be acceptable. They recommended sending a pre-addressed, stamped envelope along with the EAD to ensure it is to be returned right away, but still, I don’t trust it. 

Hello,

So my husband has his EAD/AP card in hand but he still does not have a social security number. On the original form we sent, he answered “NO” to the question would you like a SSN assigned to you. The reason he answered no is because we naively thought that we could go down to our local SS office & get it assigned sooner. That is def not possible in Houston (we tried multiple times at multiple offices). Anyway, he is eager to get his license & drive, which requires him to have a SSN to obtain a license. Also, he needs to work.🤦🏽‍♀️ 

Since all of the SS offices are closed, we called. And they said that he would need to mail his EAD card & I94 in order to reapply for a SSN (even though we have already been to the office pre-pandemic & applied in person). As you could imagine, we are EXTREMELY weary about mailing the EAD off, especially since we have no idea when or if it will be safely returned. We’re very stressed out about this. I hate that after 6+ months of waiting, that our life is STILL on hold 😪😤
 

Has anyone else had to mail their EAD/AP off in order to obtain a SSN? If so, how did that pan out? Can anyone else offer any advice? If it were you in this predicament, would you proceed with the snail mail option? Or try to wait & see when the offices will re-open? Any suggestions please anything?😫

Received the EAD/AP card today! Over the moon!!!🌙 

5 minutes ago, Letspaintcookies said:

No worries. It happened to a lot of people during the last month. Seems like USCIS made some adjustment to their system. Also a couple of people got approved just a couple days later so this doesn't indicate that the PD date changed. They're still working their application piles just like before. No significant positive or negative changes

Wow, thanks! 

1 minute ago, Tan&Ni said:

We received a 2nd I-797 NOA in the mail yesterday, dated March 13th, For the AP only. It basically states that we’ll use your fingerprints & biometrics that we already have. I don’t understand why this was even sent. Has this happened to anyone else? Aren’t the EAD/AP a combo card? I’m concerned because there was no 2nd mention of the EAD, which is what we are really eager to get.

Our original NOA was dated Jan 15, does this mean we’re starting all over again or what? Please no😭😭😭😭😭 

We received a 2nd I-797 NOA in the mail yesterday, dated March 13th, For the AP only. It basically states that we’ll use your fingerprints & biometrics that we already have. I don’t understand why this was even sent. Has this happened to anyone else? Aren’t the EAD/AP a combo card? I’m concerned because there was no 2nd mention of the EAD, which is what we are really eager to get.

On 3/14/2020 at 11:16 PM, Jorgedig said:

And whether venues, caterers, etc will be a go.  People I know with wedding plans for the next several months have had to cancel.

Wedding has been postponed, you called it😔

On 3/15/2020 at 11:29 AM, Zoeeeeeee said:

If you can't afford to be self-quarantined, I'd suggest that your husband shouldn't go - as if you live together, he'll need to quarantine when he gets back and then you would too (quarantine only works if everyone in the house does it).

Yes, I’m aware of how quarantine works, thx! 

5 minutes ago, Donald120383 said:

the big question is not whether you can enter but is if air traffic will be shut down.

Exactly. Don’t think I’ll take that risk. Also, I can’t afford to be at home self quarantined. I need to work 🤷🏽‍♀️

15 minutes ago, Lucky Cat said:

How does Trump's proclamation affect you?   His proclamation affects travel INTO the US....and it does not affect US citizens....Has UK stopped visitors from the US?

🤔 I guess I assumed the travel ban went both ways, as in I can’t book a flight into the U.K. on a U.S passport, but even if it isn’t, I still won’t go. It’s more important for him to be there than me. 

2 minutes ago, K1visaHopeful said:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-nonimmigrants-certain-additional-persons-pose-risk-transmitting-2019-novel-coronavirus/

Thanks so much for providing me with this concise info! 

Hi...I need advice please! I have a hypothetical situation that is causing us lots of anxiety....

In the event that my husband who is a U.K. citizen (in AOS from a K1 visa), receives his AP in time, he would like to travel back to England to attend his brother’s wedding (set for April 11, 2020). He already booked a refundable airline ticket months ago. I (US citizen) was planning on attending as well. Now that Trump has implemented this travel ban, I understand that I definitely cannot go. But if he has his AP in hand, can he still go using his British passport? If he is still in AOS process (EAD/AP received, no Greencard) is he considered a permanent legal resident yet? Basically what I really want to know is, will he be stuck in the U.K. upon attempting to return to the U.S.? Has anyone out there attempted returning from the U.K. to the U.S. recently using an AP? Answers to any of these questions will help & be greatly appreciated...TIA!!

Our I-485 was updated to “case ready to be scheduled for interview”, no update to EAD/AP. Yay...Progress!

On 3/5/2020 at 10:59 AM, Nostalgia said:

My case was updated to "Ready to be scheduled for an interview" too this morning! 🙌

I'm surprised because DC office has a long wait time.. maybe now I have to wait long for the actual interview..🙄

 

NOA1 1/15/2020

Bio 2/4/2020

We have the exact same NOA/Bio...your update has me feeling hopeful, thanks!🙏🏽🤞🏽

2 minutes ago, maferraric said:

Hi. No I dont have it yet. I think that update was to let me know they were sending a duplicate of NOA1 for AP.

Turns out I only got 1 NOA (for AOS), but the other two were missing, they were returned to sender and then they mailed back to me with a red stamp (dated Jan 29th). So, false alarm, no AP yet.

 

Regards!

Ohhh, I see! Thanks for the clarification!

On 2/5/2020 at 11:30 AM, maferraric said:

Hi! I’ve retaken the test and got a piece of paper as of my license. Good for 2 months until I get my actual driver’s license on the mail. It’s based on my passport number and will be good for a whole year. So I can just get a new one when I get my SSN.

 

BTW, my AP case was updated as of Jan 29th saying that a decision has been made and I should get a duplicate notice on the mail. The AOS and EAD cases show that my biometrics have been taken.

 

Wish you a short wait y’all

 

Hello! When did you originally file your AOS packet? And Have you received your AP in the mail? Sorry to ask so many questions but I didn't see a timeline on your profile. More than anything my husband are desperately hoping to get the AP document back so that he can attend his brother's wedding in April, so a bit of insight on how yours came through so quickly would be much appreciated! Thanks in Advance!