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sineface
Joined: 27 Feb 2006
Location: C'est magnifique
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 Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 4:00 pm Post subject: green card to the US, SSNs |
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I don't even really know if this is the right forum for this, but I'll try.
So imagine one gets a green card for the US. As far as I can tell, after that, you can then apply for a social security number. Correct? You dont need to wait until you are a naturalised citizen, right? That would seem ridiculous. I've been all over the websites but seem to be going in circles. Also, a Korean friend in teh same situation took me to some international help people with their green cards guy, who told me what I suspect to be bullshit, as he's only used to dealing with Koreans and Fillipinos, not someone from the UK.
Thoughts?
Thanks.
Sface |
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Bigfeet
Joined: 29 May 2008
Location: Grrrrr.....
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 4:11 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm pretty sure you only need a green card to get a SSN since you need a SSN to work and receive welfare benefits. |
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blade
Joined: 30 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 10:32 pm Post subject: |
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| Bigfeet wrote: |
| I'm pretty sure you only need a green card to get a SSN since you need a SSN to work and receive welfare benefits. |
It used to be that anybody staying in the US was legally permitted to obtain one but since 911 things have changed a lot and now I believe that they are only issued to people on certain visas.
I have still have my one which will remain valid indefinitely even though I'm not a US citizen. |
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sineface
Joined: 27 Feb 2006
Location: C'est magnifique
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:18 am Post subject: |
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| blade wrote: |
| Bigfeet wrote: |
| I'm pretty sure you only need a green card to get a SSN since you need a SSN to work and receive welfare benefits. |
It used to be that anybody staying in the US was legally permitted to obtain one but since 911 things have changed a lot and now I believe that they are only issued to people on certain visas.
I have still have my one which will remain valid indefinitely even though I'm not a US citizen. |
But surely a green card is harder to obtain than the visas, right? Therefore, it would make sense that a SSN would be given first and foremost to the green card holders, and then perhaps those with visas that have the strictest guidelines next? I'm just wondering. Also, how did you get yours to remain valid indefinately? I thought you had to renew it after every 10 years, unless you surrender it or become naturalised? |
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hellofaniceguy
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Location: On your computer screen!
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:33 am Post subject: |
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6 of 1 and half a dozen of the other....it's up to the person making the decisions at immigration.
Both the visa and the resident card are hard and are easy to obtain depending on many factors. For one thing, you are ALWAYS at the whim of the immigration person.
Depends on what visa one is applying for also. Depends on marriage, school, etc. Depends on ones ties' to their home country. And money.
What is the important thing is this..."will this person become a burden on the welfare system if we let them in."
The SSN come after the resident card in most case. If you go to the SS office...they WILL ask for your birth certificate, ID and or resident ID card if you are a non U.S. citizen. |
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john110375
Joined: 30 Jul 2007
Location: seoul
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:53 am Post subject: |
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| You can get the SSN after getting the green card without a problem. My wife got Her card in about a week. |
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blade
Joined: 30 Jun 2007
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:59 am Post subject: |
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| sineface wrote: |
| blade wrote: |
| Bigfeet wrote: |
| I'm pretty sure you only need a green card to get a SSN since you need a SSN to work and receive welfare benefits. |
It used to be that anybody staying in the US was legally permitted to obtain one but since 911 things have changed a lot and now I believe that they are only issued to people on certain visas.
I have still have my one which will remain valid indefinitely even though I'm not a US citizen. |
But surely a green card is harder to obtain than the visas, right? Therefore, it would make sense that a SSN would be given first and foremost to the green card holders, and then perhaps those with visas that have the strictest guidelines next? |
True but the only real difference between a SSN card issued to a US resident and somebody who is say vacationing in the US or happens to be studying will be a stamp on the back of the card stating that you are or aren't eligible for employment in the US but this wont necessarily stop you from gaining employment or for that matter paying tax. Anyway as I said above thanks to 911 it's much more difficult to get a SSN and without your SSN you can't even get yourself a driving license in most US states these days. |
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sineface
Joined: 27 Feb 2006
Location: C'est magnifique
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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| john110375 wrote: |
| You can get the SSN after getting the green card without a problem. My wife got Her card in about a week. |
Thanks John, good to know. How long did the green card take, if you don't mind me asking? I've seen estimates ranging between 6 months to 9 years, which is a little alarming. I won't be waiting for a number to be available, so that should speed it up somewhat, but any advice from someone who's just done it would be great.
Thanks.  |
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kotakji
Joined: 23 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 8:01 pm Post subject: |
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| My wife got her Green Card package (the thing you take with you when you actually physically enter the country) about two months after submitting the initial paperwork to the embassy/ homeland security. We had no problems with the interview, although we saw alot of people while waiting in line who were getting drilled. It seems the big issue for many people was regarding financial support. Oh and an amazing number of applicants simply didnt have all the proper paperwork, so do yourself a favor and be extra prepared. After going through immigration in the US, the physical card came in the mail after about two weeks. After that we got her SSN about a week after going to the relevant office and submitting the form application. This is all within the last six months. |
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sineface
Joined: 27 Feb 2006
Location: C'est magnifique
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| Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:02 pm Post subject: |
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| kotakji wrote: |
| My wife got her Green Card package (the thing you take with you when you actually physically enter the country) about two months after submitting the initial paperwork to the embassy/ homeland security. We had no problems with the interview, although we saw alot of people while waiting in line who were getting drilled. It seems the big issue for many people was regarding financial support. Oh and an amazing number of applicants simply didnt have all the proper paperwork, so do yourself a favor and be extra prepared. After going through immigration in the US, the physical card came in the mail after about two weeks. After that we got her SSN about a week after going to the relevant office and submitting the form application. This is all within the last six months. |
Did you apply for it once you were in the US together? I'm looking to apply for it whilst we're here in Korea. My husband is military and since there's a real chance he'll be deployed when we return, I need to get my shit in order in advance. As a UK citizen, I don't need a visa to actually enter the US, so getting into the country isn't a big deal. It's the having a car, being able to drive it, having my name on our house, building credit, having a job, that it's most important for. I was under the impression that you submit the I 130 and all relevant documents to the USCIS, and as a military spouse a number is granted straight away, et voila. I figure I'll have to take the interviews here? COMPLEX is what this is. Complex and COSTLY.  |
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kotakji
Joined: 23 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 11:59 am Post subject: |
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| We applied for the Greencard and conducted the interview while in Korea. Again be prepared, most of the people having difficulties were the spouses of soldiers. I think a lot of them may have thought that their military status gave them special dispensation with regards to a lot of the requirements, which, apparently, is not the case. |
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Bigfeet
Joined: 29 May 2008
Location: Grrrrr.....
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| Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 1:29 pm Post subject: |
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Personally, I'd give everyone a spelling test and flunk people that spell tire with a y, gray with an e, and name car parts after items of clothing.  |
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