steelgrill

Hi all,
If I arrive in the US on a K1 visa, how soon can I apply for a SSN ?
Also, can someone give their perspective on the memo EM-00154? From this, it appears to me that the K1er can start working before getting married.
Comments?

Ingo Pakleppa

On 20 Mar 2002 14:02:38 -0600, steelgrill <[email protected]> wrote:

    >Hi all, If I arrive in the US on a K1 visa, how soon can I apply for a SSN ?

You can get it as soon as you get your employment authorization. In some cases, that
will be right at the airport, sometimes, you have to go to the INS office.

    >Also, can someone give their perspective on the memo EM-00154? From this, it appears
    >to me that the K1er can start working before getting married. Comments?

That is correct. You do need to get an employment authorization document. In a few
airports, you will get it right upon entry (doesn't hurt to ask). In others, the
local INS office will issue it. Unfortunately, there are a few INS offices that take
several weeks or even months to issue one, so don't rely on being allowed to work -
it may not work out that way.

Ingo

I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. For reliable advice, please consult
with a professional immigration attorney.

For further information, check the following frequently-requested links.

For many questions, you may find answers at
http://travel.state.gov/visa_services.html (Department of State)

or http://ins.usdoj.gov (INS).

For consular policies and visa reciprocity fees, find your consulate in
http://travel.state.gov/links.html

For DOL Faxback status information: http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/

For information on affidavit of support for marriage to US citizens (I-864), go to
http://travel.state.gov/i864gen.html and http://travel.state.gov/checklist.html

For information on entering the US as a K-1: http://www.k1poelist.com/

For poverty levels, see http://aspe.os.dhhs.gov/poverty/00poverty.htm

For information on H/L/O/P visa extensions at Dept. of State in St. Louis, MO, see
http://travel.state.gov/revals.html

For non-official information, check:

(When using these sites, and any Web sites, please watch out for privacy, as I do not
know all site operators.)

http://www.visalaw.com http://www.shusterman.com http://www.immigration.com
http://members.aol.com/MDUdall http://www.murthy.com/ http://www.richw.org/dualcit/
(dual citizenship FAQ) http://www.ilw.com/pederson/visa.htm (dual citizenship info)
http://www.srs-usvisa.com http://www.getusavisa.com
http://greencard-lottery.virtualave.net/ http://www.jcvisa.com (H-1B)
http://www.h1bresources.com (marriage and fiancee) http://www.kamya.com/misc/
(marriage and fiancee) http://www2.apex.net/users/thehydes http://www.formshome.com
http://www.workpermit.com

This is not an endorsement of any of these Web sites. I am not affiliated with any of
the Web site owners and do not receive nor accept payment in return for listing them,
and typically don't even know them.

(if believe you have a good immigration-related Web site and want your Web site
listed here, please e-mail me).

Rete

The K-1 infers the right to work without an EAD document. However, the problem is getting an employer to recognize that fact and allow you to work. Some INS offices will let you walk in and get the temporary 90 day EAD right there and then. However, please note that it is only some that will do it and not even the majority.

Also you are eligible to go to any social security office and obtain a social security card with the legend "Work authorized by INS" (or words to that affect). Two people have said that they were denied the ss card because SS personnel said the EM memo has expired. I posted an email from a higher up in the SSA recounting this as the memo itself has not expired. The date the personnel is referring to is the suggested date for disgarding the memo.

Rita