FrancElsie

To those of you bringing your fiancee/fiance to the USA on a K-1 Visa, you should be aware that they are entitled to get a SSN during their 90 days here with you. DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO TELL YOU OTHERWISE!!! Shortly after (about 3 weeks) they arrive...go to your local Social Security office and fill out the SS-5 form with them. We did this and were told by a service representative that "she is not eligible to receive a SSN because you are not married yet. So, come back after your marriage and bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate." I questioned the woman giving us this erroneous information and she got very defensive. I asked to speak with a supervisor and she refused to allow me to speak with anyone...saying, "I am sure that I am correct and my supervisor will tell you exactly the same thing!!!" Not wishing to cause a "scene" I walked away and just decided to return after our marriage and get it done. WRONG THING TO DO!!! What happened next? Our marriage was scheduled about a week prior to the expiration of her K-1 Visa and I-94 entry permit. When we returned to the Social Security office this time (with our marriage certificate) we were turned down a second time. This time because we were within 14 days of the expiration of her I-94. The woman who told us this asked, "Why didn't you get Elsie's SSN shortly after her arrival into the USA? She qualifies under the terms of the K-1 Visa." I went ballistic and demanded to speak with a supervisor. The supervisor called over the first woman who gave us this incorrect information and spoke with her. She acknowledged that she had in fact given out erroneous information and apologized profusely. Still...NOTHING COULD BE DONE because we were within this "14 day window" and they could do nothing to give Elsie her SSN. Now, I have filed a formal complaint against this woman and her supervisor is "looking into" the problem to see if anything can be done. However, he did tell me that he doubts that anything can be done.
The problem with NOT having a SSN for your K-1 is that they are locked out from getting many things that are needed to begin their new life with you in the USA. My bank will not allow Elsie to be added to my account UNTIL she has a SSN. The K-1 cannot get a driver's license or a state issued ID, they cannot get insurance, they can't hardly get a library card!! The SSN card that they receive will have printed on it..."Not Work Authorized"...but, this is not that important. We all know that the K-1 cannot work legally until they receive their Work Authorization aka Green Card with their Permanent Residency.
Just ranting and raving a bit about this because I am frustrated tonight. But, IF I can save several of you from making the same mistake, this may be worth it. Good Luck to all of you at VisaJourney!!
Any ideas on what else I might do???
Regards,
Franc

To those of you bringing your fiancee/fiance to the USA on a K-1 Visa, you should be aware that they are entitled to get a SSN during their 90 days here with you. DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO TELL YOU OTHERWISE!!! Shortly after (about 3 weeks) they arrive...go to your local Social Security office and fill out the SS-5 form with them. We did this and were told by a service representative that "she is not eligible to receive a SSN because you are not married yet. So, come back after your marriage and bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate." I questioned the woman giving us this erroneous information and she got very defensive. I asked to speak with a supervisor and she refused to allow me to speak with anyone...saying, "I am sure that I am correct and my supervisor will tell you exactly the same thing!!!" Not wishing to cause a "scene" I walked away and just decided to return after our marriage and get it done. WRONG THING TO DO!!! What happened next? Our marriage was scheduled about a week prior to the expiration of her K-1 Visa and I-94 entry permit. When we returned to the Social Security office this time (with our marriage certificate) we were turned down a second time. This time because we were within 14 days of the expiration of her I-94. The woman who told us this asked, "Why didn't you get Elsie's SSN shortly after her arrival into the USA? She qualifies under the terms of the K-1 Visa." I went ballistic and demanded to speak with a supervisor. The supervisor called over the first woman who gave us this incorrect information and spoke with her. She acknowledged that she had in fact given out erroneous information and apologized profusely. Still...NOTHING COULD BE DONE because we were within this "14 day window" and they could do nothing to give Elsie her SSN. Now, I have filed a formal complaint against this woman and her supervisor is "looking into" the problem to see if anything can be done. However, he did tell me that he doubts that anything can be done.
The problem with NOT having a SSN for your K-1 is that they are locked out from getting many things that are needed to begin their new life with you in the USA. My bank will not allow Elsie to be added to my account UNTIL she has a SSN. The K-1 cannot get a driver's license or a state issued ID, they cannot get insurance, they can't hardly get a library card!! The SSN card that they receive will have printed on it..."Not Work Authorized"...but, this is not that important. We all know that the K-1 cannot work legally until they receive their Work Authorization aka Green Card with their Permanent Residency.
Just ranting and raving a bit about this because I am frustrated tonight. But, IF I can save several of you from making the same mistake, this may be worth it. Good Luck to all of you at VisaJourney!!
Any ideas on what else I might do???
Regards,
Franc

To those of you bringing your fiancee/fiance to the USA on a K-1 Visa, you should be aware that they are entitled to get a SSN during their 90 days here with you. DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO TELL YOU OTHERWISE!!! Shortly after (about 3 weeks) they arrive...go to your local Social Security office and fill out the SS-5 form with them. We did this and were told by a service representative that "she is not eligible to receive a SSN because you are not married yet. So, come back after your marriage and bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate." I questioned the woman giving us this erroneous information and she got very defensive. I asked to speak with a supervisor and she refused to allow me to speak with anyone...saying, "I am sure that I am correct and my supervisor will tell you exactly the same thing!!!" Not wishing to cause a "scene" I walked away and just decided to return after our marriage and get it done. WRONG THING TO DO!!! What happened next? Our marriage was scheduled about a week prior to the expiration of her K-1 Visa and I-94 entry permit. When we returned to the Social Security office this time (with our marriage certificate) we were turned down a second time. This time because we were within 14 days of the expiration of her I-94. The woman who told us this asked, "Why didn't you get Elsie's SSN shortly after her arrival into the USA? She qualifies under the terms of the K-1 Visa." I went ballistic and demanded to speak with a supervisor. The supervisor called over the first woman who gave us this incorrect information and spoke with her. She acknowledged that she had in fact given out erroneous information and apologized profusely. Still...NOTHING COULD BE DONE because we were within this "14 day window" and they could do nothing to give Elsie her SSN. Now, I have filed a formal complaint against this woman and her supervisor is "looking into" the problem to see if anything can be done. However, he did tell me that he doubts that anything can be done.
The problem with NOT having a SSN for your K-1 is that they are locked out from getting many things that are needed to begin their new life with you in the USA. My bank will not allow Elsie to be added to my account UNTIL she has a SSN. The K-1 cannot get a driver's license or a state issued ID, they cannot get insurance, they can't hardly get a library card!! The SSN card that they receive will have printed on it..."Not Work Authorized"...but, this is not that important. We all know that the K-1 cannot work legally until they receive their Work Authorization aka Green Card with their Permanent Residency.
Just ranting and raving a bit about this because I am frustrated tonight. But, IF I can save several of you from making the same mistake, this may be worth it. Good Luck to all of you at VisaJourney!!
Any ideas on what else I might do???
Regards,
Franc

Hello gigi_a,
We had the biometrics appointment as a "walk-in" although it was completely an accident. My wife's biometrics appointment letter was returned as "undeliverable" for some unknown reason. So, we scheduled an INFOPASS appointment at USCIS in Cincinnati to determine the cause of that problem. While there, the very nice woman told us that it was the biometrics appointment letter and we had missed the appointment already. So...she called downstairs to another level of the building to the biometrics area and explained our situation. They said, "send them down and we'll do it right now"! So, we went to that area and had NO WAIT whatsoever. The biometrics took about 15 minutes from start to finish.
AS A NOTE: This was done on a Thursday when they are less busy. The early days of the week are very busy and I doubt if you could do it. Friday is also busy because people want to get it done before the weekend. We were just lucky, I guess. To allay your fears about the immigration process, we have had nothing but GREAT experiences and dealings with really nice people!!!! We started the "Adjustment of Status" part of the process in January, 2011 and yesterday (6/6/11) we received notification that "production of Elsie's Permanent Residency card had been ordered". She got her Worker's Permit & SSN about 6 weeks ago and has already obtained a job which she loves.
Good Luck and Relax,
Craig & Elsie

To those of you bringing your fiancee/fiance to the USA on a K-1 Visa, you should be aware that they are entitled to get a SSN during their 90 days here with you. DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO TELL YOU OTHERWISE!!! Shortly after (about 3 weeks) they arrive...go to your local Social Security office and fill out the SS-5 form with them. We did this and were told by a service representative that "she is not eligible to receive a SSN because you are not married yet. So, come back after your marriage and bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate." I questioned the woman giving us this erroneous information and she got very defensive. I asked to speak with a supervisor and she refused to allow me to speak with anyone...saying, "I am sure that I am correct and my supervisor will tell you exactly the same thing!!!" Not wishing to cause a "scene" I walked away and just decided to return after our marriage and get it done. WRONG THING TO DO!!! What happened next? Our marriage was scheduled about a week prior to the expiration of her K-1 Visa and I-94 entry permit. When we returned to the Social Security office this time (with our marriage certificate) we were turned down a second time. This time because we were within 14 days of the expiration of her I-94. The woman who told us this asked, "Why didn't you get Elsie's SSN shortly after her arrival into the USA? She qualifies under the terms of the K-1 Visa." I went ballistic and demanded to speak with a supervisor. The supervisor called over the first woman who gave us this incorrect information and spoke with her. She acknowledged that she had in fact given out erroneous information and apologized profusely. Still...NOTHING COULD BE DONE because we were within this "14 day window" and they could do nothing to give Elsie her SSN. Now, I have filed a formal complaint against this woman and her supervisor is "looking into" the problem to see if anything can be done. However, he did tell me that he doubts that anything can be done.
The problem with NOT having a SSN for your K-1 is that they are locked out from getting many things that are needed to begin their new life with you in the USA. My bank will not allow Elsie to be added to my account UNTIL she has a SSN. The K-1 cannot get a driver's license or a state issued ID, they cannot get insurance, they can't hardly get a library card!! The SSN card that they receive will have printed on it..."Not Work Authorized"...but, this is not that important. We all know that the K-1 cannot work legally until they receive their Work Authorization aka Green Card with their Permanent Residency.
Just ranting and raving a bit about this because I am frustrated tonight. But, IF I can save several of you from making the same mistake, this may be worth it. Good Luck to all of you at VisaJourney!!
Any ideas on what else I might do???
Regards,
Franc

I told her "because my wife can have one" which annoyed them, but they processed the request and we got the new card in a week.
This is one of the salient points that I was trying to make with my original posting...a person with a K-1 Visa is ENTITLED TO a SSN or as you said "because my wife can have one!" It's really none of their business "Why?" And, as you stated in your posting, the SS-5 was processed and you got the new card in a week. Pretty easy, once you overcome the obstacle (person) on the front line, yes?
Getting a SSN is supposed to be a very easy process and you can see that due to incompetence an easy process becomes difficult. It's almost as if the people working in these offices search for a way NOT to help the public.
I find it interesting and humorous that you were receiving "free immigration advice" at a Social Security Office. My expectation was and is to receive Social Security information from there and get my Immigration advice from VisaJourney. (or USCIS...LOLOL)
Regards,
Franc