pejpm1

Is it possible to get a social security number in adavance of my arrival in the US? i.e. can the US embassy issue them? I've noticed that I pretty much wont be able to do anything until I have an SS number and that it can take a couple of weeks to get one...is there anyway around that? Can you get one any quicker than that, or before your arrival? Thanks

Dan725

To be honest - no.

scrubbedexpat099

Mine took longer than a couple of weeks, but YMMV.

meauxna

No, you can't get it in advance of your entry to the US. While you may have a visa, it is not a guarantee of admission.
Admission = status and the right status - Social Security card.

There may be ways around the obstacles you're envisioning. What kind of visa are you coming with?

Bob

I'm sure a dodgy geezer in a bar could knock one out for you for a price...but your better off waiting, what's a few weeks anyway? You'll be able to get loads done in that time.

chicagojlo

I remember reading somewhere that you could get them at the Embassy but we did all of our visa stuff in Amsterdam because that was where we lived at the time so it might have been different. No harm in calling to ask though right?

Jmaster911

I'm into week 5 and still waiting, according to the latest letter I have, I should have it this week

pejpm1

My company paid for premium processing so it took 10 days.

Rete

So why were you asking about expediting a social security number if you already had one?

Jmaster911

And I wasn't aware you could pay to speed up the process???

I think most of my problem has been that the USCIS didn't eneter the correct information into the system when I entered the US, therefore the SSA were not informed that I had entered. I just hoping that my Greencard turns up. Gonna give that another 2 weeks and then I'll have to start chasing that one down.

pejpm1

oops, I replied to the wrong thread...somebody on another thread asked me how long I waited for my L1B visa, and I was answering that question...but on this thread by mistake....

The reason I'm asking is that I'm told I'll be pretty much stuck until I get an SS number...no bank account, no apartment etc etc...my company have said that they are willing to pay for 2 weeks accomodation when i get there which I wasnt too happy with...as far as I can see , everything hinges on me getting my ss number and if that is going to take weeks, then I'm going to have to ask for a bit longer...maybe a month i think.. I dont really want to have to pay for a hotel for weeks on end...

meauxna

When applying for an Immigrant Visa, you can apply for the SSN on the back of the visa application DS-230 II.
When the IV holder enters the US, the application is forwarded to SSA's Enumeration At Entry program and the it's entered automagically. SS cards should then appear within 4 weeks.

Premium processing is normally a term for visa/petition applications, not Social Security number applications.

meauxna

If you start reading around, you'll find there are plenty of ways to rent an apartment, open a bank account and a number of other things without your SS#.
Life does not need to be put on hold.

Jmaster911

I agree you can do this but as in my case it doesn't always work. Personally I would go into the SSA office in person, that way you get in writing that the application is being processed. When doing it the DS-230 route you get nothing and unless you actually take a trip down to the SSA you have no idea if the application has been passed along.

meauxna

Except the Social Security card itself, within 4 weeks.


I hate this argument. Damned if you do and damned if you don't.
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