I arrived on a K1 on the 20th June 2012, I'm now about to head down to the SSN office to apply for my SSN card/number. Question is I have seen in previous posts that I tick the 'Legal alien allowed to work" box but both my 16 and 17 year old kids from a link seem to be ineligible to tick this box, problem is, they would would both like to learn to drive and eventually work (my son has sign up for a soccer referee coaching course). What is their position, are they not allowed to work until their EAD cards come through? If I tick "Legal alien NOT allowed to work" it states some other federal proof as to why they would need an SSN number? I'm not sure what that would be? The fact they are an eligible age to drive or that they will be attending school soon?

Help!

Yes, they must have an EAD before they can work. So must you, by the way... but, as the K-1 holder, you can get a SSN based on your K-1 status. Once they have the EAD, then can get a SSN. The EAD will arrive about 90 days after everyone files to adjust their status after your marriage. They will need to wait until then.

Ian

Oh dear they won't be pleased. We all knew we couldn't work but I need an SSN for my driver's licence and so that my fiancé can add me to his bank account and credit card! I was hoping they could have an SSN to also apply to learn to drive!

I am not sure where the children stand in terms of getting a ssn or driver licence, but I think they can "learn to drive", if you can do it on private property.

You don't need a SSN to be added to the bank account or the credit card.

I think with some banks that is true but Suntrust and American Express have both said I need my SSN before they will add me!

It is a non issue since you can get a SSN as a k1/married.

It may be a policy of those banks, or a procedure that the person you deal with cannot deal with.(personally, I have found Suntrust easy to deal with generally, but stuck in procedures.)

You may need an SSN to get a driver's license, but you should not need one so that you can have a joint bank account with your husband and definitely not to become an authorized user of his credit card(s).

My wife, a K3, became a joint owner of (what was) my bank account even before my petition was approved. And we have no joint credit cards - she is an authorized user of all of my credit cards and has a few in her own name with me as joint user on a few of them. It helps both of our credit scores since her credit report is not bogged down by my numerous cards, a few of which carry healthy balances, and her cards do not show on my credit report which helps with the 'too many cards' issue.

Regards, JEff

Well they don't need them, they do need to verify who you are, but they can use a passport for that and use 000-00-0004 as a generic SSN for a foreigner, until you get one.

You probably need to ask to speak to a supervisor, because they'll probably have to do the work manually as the front end system usually isn't designed for the unusual customer requests.

So change banks and credit card companies. 'vote with your feet', as they say.

Regards, JEff

I am reminded that as a newbie immigrant, such things were difficult. It does not mean you cannot do it, but a SSN and drivers licence makes you indistinguishable from a local, in the every day world. Lack of either makes you an ALIEN in every sense....