Ok thanks..I'm going to take every document we have!

How does anyone do stuff like buying or leasing a car when the SSN takes so long?!

Car rental is so expensive..we really don't want to waste more money on it!

Don't forget your Passport complete with visa.

It's extremely difficult to do anything without a SS#. My husband was told to get our SS# immediately. The morning after we arrived we went to the SS office. I seem to remember we came away with our numbers...but I could be wrong...anyway that was in 1996. Within the week we got our NJ driving licenses...followed by insurance and 2 leased cars.

I know the first few months are very difficult. Good luck.

Firstly to share the wait 10 days or not advice that we've had first hand experience of just last week.

We arrived with another family on August 3rd. They went to the SS office the next day, we went on day 12. We received our cards 4 working days later. They are still waiting. They called back to the office on Friday, but were told 'it's being processed'. The office couldn't give them their numbers verbally, they ha to wait for the cards.

We filled in the forms online and printed them off to take to the SS. It's just the L1 holder and their spouse. Children are not eligible, I believe. We have 3 kids and I think we have to get ITIN numbers for them, but as our GC process has been started maybe it'll be sorted by tax time. Take a book or magazine for the wait and don't forget your marriage certificate.

They also asked my husband for his I-129 and for both our I-94s (these can be printed off)

That's great advice, thanks so much. We arrived on Sat 15th so I'll wait a few more days and then go to the office.

Ok, will do

Short answer: you can't. At least not where car leasing/buying is concerned. I'm guessing you didn't set up a lease/finance arrangement with International Autosource before arriving in the US? That would have come with 30 days of free car rental.


I'd echo the suggestion to wait the 10 days - I applied for mine 5 days after arriving, and had to wait 2 months for the manual verification to be completed. Also, double check they've spelled your name correctly before leaving the SS office!!

Ok thanks for the advice.

Didn't know about the International Autosource..I'm presuming it's too late for that now?

I'm pretty sure you have to order before arriving in the U.S. Can't hurt to call them up and ask though - http://www.intlauto.com. My experience has been v positive so far with them.

Ok thanks, worth a shot as you say!

International auto-source can only get you a car prior to entering the US.

JAAG has made a post concerning IAS a few minutes ago which you might find useful.

As he says, some friends of ours also got a very good deal from VW Expat through the local VW dealership.

Ok thanks, I'll take a look at the post.