Get an SSN with the visa

[Robert S.]

Thanks to one of our more alert members, tywy_99, it has been pointed out that it is possible to save yourself a lot of trouble nowadays.

 

See http://www.ssa.gov/ssnvisa/ for the new program.

 

I wish they had this back when I was filling out the visa paperwork. Now my wife is here but is nearly a non-person while we are waiting for BCIS to do their job.

 

Later . . .

 

I am so angry with the State of Alabama and the Social Security Administration that I am not really thinking too good. This web site and new program is for those with an Immigrant visa but our ladies all come over here on their K visas which are considered nonimmigrant. Sorry if I caused confusion for anyone.

[Orrin]

First of all, congratulations on you lady's arrival

 

My wife arrived on Sept 16 on an IR1 visa. When she cleared immigration in Seattle they stamped her passport with a "temporary" visa which included a hand-written number, and the printed words "work authorized." A few days after our arrival in Salt Lake City we went to the SS office to apply for her SS card. We were given a letter stating that the SS# had been applied for,and we were told that it would take from 6 to 12 weeks for all the information to be cleared through immigration.

 

This week my wife recieved not one, but four, "Welcome Notices" in the mail from the INS. These notices contained her "A" number, and advised her to call them if she did not receive her permanent "green card" within 3 weeks

[Robert S.]

Wow, man, make a splash with your first post!!! Welcome to Candle!!! It sounds like you really knew what you were doing - I don't even know what an IR-1 visa is but I wish I could have got one for my wife. Would you care to tell some more of the story? I would like to hear it!!!

[Mick]

Wow, man, make a splash with your first post!!!  Welcome to Candle!!!  It sounds like you really knew what you were doing - I don't even know what an IR-1 visa is but I wish I could have got one for my wife.  Would you care to tell some more of the story?  I would like to hear it!!!

Robert, I think IR-1 visa is the type Owen's wife came in with. I may be mistaken however. He could probably tell you more about this. I think the IR-1 designation kicks in after the couple had been married for two years, at the time of application or visa issuance, I am not sure which.

[tywy_99]

I sent the SSA an e-mail from that site inquiring about this SSN card for immigrants with emphasis on K3 visa. They fired back with a generic reply acknowledging receipt of my inquiry and said they will reply to my e-mail in the order it was received. I wonder how long that will be???...lol.

The I-130 petition is a petition for an immigrant visa, (IR1, CR1).

 

I will post whatever the SSA sends back, and whenever!...

[Robert S.]

Aaaarrrrgggghhh!!!!! My wife and I had been married for 17 months by the time she finally got her K3 visa! Of course I had no way of knowing we were going to get stuck in the near-infinite Black Hole, but I can't help but think "what if."

 

Anyway, I hope somebody whose situation would be applicable will see this thread and they have the opportunity to benefit from it.

[tywy_99]

Here is the reply I got back this morning from the SSA.

Rather lengthy and not much info. I feel, but maybe a little.

 

 

**********************

Thank you for your inquiry.

 

If you are lawfully admitted to the United States with Department of

Homeland Security (DHS) permission to work in the U.S., you are

eligible for

a Social Security number.

 

If you are lawfully admitted but do not have DHS permission to work in

the

United States, we can assign you a Social Security number only if you

have a

valid nonwork reason for needing a number.

 

SSA will currently issue SSNs to non-citizens who are not otherwise

eligible

for SSNs for the following nonwork purposes:

 

- A Federal statute or regulation requires that the alien provide

his/her

SSN to get the particular benefit or service; or

- A State or local law requires the alien to provide his/her SSN to get

general assistance benefits to which the alien has established

entitlement.

- A State or local law requires the non-citizen to provide his/her SSN

to

get a driver's license.

 

Under these circumstances the application for an SSN must be

accompanied by

documentation from the appropriate government entity explaining the

need for

the SSN. The documentation must be dated and on letterhead stationery.

It

must specifically identify the non-citizen, the nonwork reason for

which an

SSN is required, the relevant statute or regulation, and the name and

telephone number of an official to contact so that the information

provided

may be verified. It should state that the non-citizen completed all the

requirements to receive the benefit/service except for an SSN.

 

If you believe that you qualify for a Social Security Number based on

the

above, you may obtain an application from

http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html.

 

If you're a noncitizen, we must verify your documents with the

Department of

Homeland Security (DHS) before we issue a SSN card. We will issue the

card

within two days of receiving verification from DHS. Most of the time,

we can

quickly verify your documents online with DHS. If DHS can't verify your

documents online, it may take several weeks or months to respond to

Social

Security's request. For more details, please see the answer to the

Frequently Asked Question, How is SSA protecting Social Security

numbers?

 

If you don't have permission to work, but still need a number for one

of the

reasons mentioned above, you must provide a statement on letterhead

stationery from the government agency that is requiring you to provide

an

SSN. The letter must-

 

· specifically identify you as the applicant;

· cite the law requiring you to have a Social Security number; and

· indicate that you meet all the agency's requirements to get the

benefit or

service except for having an SSN.

 

To Apply for a Social Security Number--

 

· Download the form to apply for a Social Security card at

http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html; or

· Call or visit one of our offices to apply for a number

(1-800-772-1213);

and

· Provide original documents showing your age, identity and lawful

alien

status (including your permission to work in the U.S.). You must

provide at

least two documents.

 

If you are assigned a number for nonwork purposes, you can't use it to

work.

If you use it to work, we may inform DHS.

 

If You Need A Number For Tax Purposes

 

If you need a number for tax purposes, but don't meet Social Security's

requirements to be assigned a number, you can apply for an Individual

Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the Internal Revenue Service

(IRS).

 

Visit IRS in person or call the toll-free IRS number 1-800-TAXFORM

(1-800-829-3676) and request form W-7, Application for an Individual

Taxpayer Identification Number.

[tywy_99]

I e-mailed SSA again to ask what immigrant visa catagories are eligible for this program. Looking further into SSA page about this program, it says to apply, just mark yes to items 33a and 33b on the DS-230.

 

We will see.

[tywy_99]

Here is the e-mail I just got from SSA

 

 

****************************************************

 

Thank you for your inquiry regarding how an individual with a K-3

status can

be assigned a Social Security number (SSN).

 

An immigrant with a K-3 Visa, or "Spouse of U.S. Citizen" Visa, will

fall

under the category of an "Alien Who Requires an EAD (Form I-688B,

Employment

Authorization Document) From INS Authorizing Employment".

 

If the applicant has a form I-688B (Employment Authorization Document),

the

person may apply for a Social Security Card. If the applicant does not

have

this document, please contact BCIS.

 

The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Bureau of Citizenship and

Immigration Services Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services

(BCIS)

is the authority on all matters relating to immigration and

naturalization.

 

You can call the DHS toll-free at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)

for

automated information and live assistance concerning immigration

services

and benefits within the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin

Islands. If you are outside these areas, please contact the closest

U.S.

Embassy or Consulate.

 

If you prefer, you may call or visit your local BCIS field office.

Information about BCIS field offices can be found on the Internet at

the

following web site:

 

http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/fieldo...ices/alphaa.htm

 

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203500

[tonyuab]

so, for k-3 visa, the only solution is to get the EAD first...

[tywy_99]

so, for k-3 visa, the only solution is to get the EAD first...   

yep. i'm afraid so......

[Robert S.]

And of course K4 as well. They have made this so frustrating, difficult and maddening that I could almost start enjoying it in a masochistic kind of way. Conversely, now it is almost a thrill for me any time a light turns green.

[Robert S.]

First of all, congratulations on you lady's arrival  

 

My wife arrived on Sept 16 on an IR1 visa.  When she cleared immigration in Seattle they stamped her passport with a "temporary" visa which included a hand-written number, and the printed words "work authorized."  A few days after our arrival in Salt Lake City we went to the SS office to apply for her SS card.  We were given a letter stating that the SS# had been applied for,and we were told that it would take from 6 to 12 weeks for all the information to be cleared through immigration.

 

This week my wife recieved not one, but four, "Welcome Notices" in the mail from the INS.  These notices contained her "A" number, and advised her to call them if she did not receive her permanent "green card" within 3 weeks

Thank you for your congratulations to me and I would wish the same for you! However, I am ever so jealous of you, and envious! You met a Chinese lady and then moved to China to be with her. You lived in China for two years and then when you came back home you brought her with you on an Immigrant visa, and she has her green card now. You Are The Man! You have probably even got a driver's license for her already. I'm glad somebody can get good service out of the system.