upnorth78

Hi everyone,

I just have a couple of questions ;-)

I am about to apply for the EAD- from experience how long before they are issued? I know it can differ on a case by case basis but a rough idea would be great.

I went to get my Social Security Number and was told that I need my EAD before I can get that? Is this correct? My husband had no problem getting his as he is the E2 applicant.

I am a bit worried as I am pretty sure that I cannot convert my driving license until I have a SS number? I wish I had sorted out my international license before leaving which would have given me more time!

Any help much appreciated!!

Thanks

Rete

EAD's are taking 3 to 6 months.

neill

My EAD took ~110 days last Dec.

Noorah101

According to the internet, you should be able to get your SSN by showing your original marriage certificate, spouse's valid passport with E-2 visa, entry stamp and print of his most recent I-94. Take all this evidence and try another SS office.

EADs are taking 3 to 6 months or so.

International license does you no good anyway, especially if your original was already in English. So don't feel bad about not having it.

Rene

Rete

Also note, that if one Social Security denies you the Social Security card, please go to another office. We had to do that when we hit a wall with our local office.

BenK91

Everything Rene mentioned is what I took down to get my SSN.

Rete's advice is also solid for many entities here... DMV included.

GeneralPowerpoint

I got my first EAD in April 2017 when it took 42 days total.

I understand it's now taking upwards of 5 months.

upnorth78

newacct

Most states should allow you to get a driver's license if you are in legal status and you do not have an SSN and you are not eligible to get an SSN. However, as mentioned before, as an E2 spouse, you are eligible for an SSN even without an EAD. See this table.

petitefrancaise

Agree with Rete on trying another office.
Strictly speaking ( you can look for yourself on the SSA website), the social security number is for people who are eligible to work. Some offices enforce this literally - with L2 and E2 visas- and won't let you apply without your EAD in hand. I've had this happen to one client in Austin and I now routinely avoid that office and go to the other one in the north of the city and so far haven't had any issues.
As for your driver's license application (which state are you in?), you may be able to just sign an affidavit saying you are not eligible for a SSN. Which, strictly speaking is true. However, some DMV's may be tricky about this, there may even be a difference of opinion from one DMV officer to another in the same office (I've had this happen a fair bit).

LonSea

Be prepared to wait up to 7.5 months for your EAD, thats the current processing time on the USCIS website. Look at what everyone else said about the SS as its correct. I'm an E2 spouse and got my SS before my husband did, and we applied together at the same office at the same time.

shiversaint

Question 14 of the SSN application form (i-765) asks whether you want a SSN automatically issued. My partner who is on an E-2 derivative visa like you did that and it was a smooth process that took about 5 months all in.

Our interpretation of the SSN application website led us to believe that getting one without an EAD would be annoyingly difficult. It's probably possible but I have a feeling they aren't supposed to, hence why trying different offices works.

Guindalf

Admittedly it was 20 years ago, but when I arrived here (Georgia), I was issued an SSN almost immediately, but it had the words 'Not valid for employment' on it. When I got my EAD, I took it in to the SS Office and had the condition removed.

Noorah101

The I-765 is the USCIS application for employment authorization, not SSN.

Rene

shiversaint

Correct you are, sorry. Fast typing on my part led to a slip. Is it not possible to edit posts on this forum any more? Please feel free to correct it for the sake of clarity Rene.