OK, Have the Visa, We are in the US, will get Married soon (within 90 Days)....

[ConnerVT]

I dont think getting credit cards to establish credit is something to work towards and cheer about. I think it would be the opposite. I cant see myself cheering over being in debt up to my ****. Sheeeeesh.

It could eventually put your life in the crapper.

Stick with debit cards if you have to use plastic.

Having credit cards and being up to your a$$ in debt aren't the same thing.  This is like saying everyone who has a bottle of liqour is an alcoholic.  The responsible use of credit is a useful tool, and nearly a necessity for people who travel.  Hotel reservations, car rentals, changes in travel plans, emergency situations.  All cry for the need of a credit card.

Debit cards don't always work as a replacement for credit cards.  And their use doesn't improve one's credit score.

[Ronnie]

K1 entrants do not need to get an EAD before they get their SSAN.  K2s do however.  The EAD is free and good only until the 90th day but it will serve to get the K2 his SSAN and perhaps a driver's license/permit.  I hope by now she has her SSAN and while I don't know how old the child is, you should certainly ask about getting one or else you will lose the tax exemption for 2009.

[ConnerVT]

Ronnie, wrong info on the kid, taxes, and SSN.

SS won't issue a SSN to the child until after AOS and Conditional Alien Resident Card, as the child is ineligible to work, and is not a US resident alien or US citizen.  Wife can get the SSN because she is eligible to work (time between entry into US and marriage, then again after reciept of EAD or Cond. Resident Alien Card).

Child can be a dependent on Federal (and state) Income Tax returns without a SSN.  It is a pain in the @ss, but the child needs to obtain a ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) from the IRS.  Other options include filing for an extension (if you believe the Cond. resident Alien Card is coming soon), or filing an amended tax return after the Cond. resident Alien card arrives.

[OlgaH]

Once we are married, what are the steps after that?  Where do we go from here?  Any advice is good, links to good info is better.

Thanks!

"After your fiancé(e) has been admitted into the United States, he/she can apply for a social security number card by visiting one of the Social Security offices in your local area. To learn about how-to-apply, visit the website for the  Social Security Administration".

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/ssa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=576

"After marriage, your spouse must file Form  I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status with the USCIS office that serves the area where you live in the United States. You must fill out the Affidavit of Support,  Form I-864, with the USCIS for your spouse's application to become a lawful permanent resident (LPR). See Permanent Resident at the  Department of Homeland Security's, USCIS internet site".

Can a K-1 Visa Holder Work in the United States?

"As a K-1 visa holder you may file Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization with the USCIS office that serves the area where you live for a work permit (employment authorization document - EAD). For more information see  How Do I Get a Work Permit (Employment Authorization Document)?"
 

From U.S/ Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_2994.html#Security

[Jumper]

Congrats!

i'm a little surprised you hadn't looked into the whole visa procedure before bringing her here though, honestly.


i guess i was overly concerned, ,wanted no mistakes,  and wanted all the I's dotted and T's crossed,
and wanted to know exactly the ones coming up.lol
 (also i married in ukraine, so that changes the visa procedure some)
others have outlined the visa and SSN steps..

a few things i remember.
she had her international DL, but we did go get her a state drivers license right away.
and spent time really famalirizing her with the area,roads, places she might want to go, thr gym, the park ,the stores, etc..
she was pretty confident, and a  good driver ,so was mobile in her car on day one.
It was one of my hopes ,because it might alleviate that *stuck here*" feeling in a new enviroment.
certainly one of the best things i did .
she did enroll immediately in ESL ,but gave up quickly,because honestly her english was a bity above that level
and she felt it was a waste of time.
 
Also did get a credit card right way, not to charge on,,but to establish credit history,and put the phone in her name,
 (for exactly the reasons groov mentioned,if we parted for any reason, i wanted her to be firmly on her feet)
 bank account , and put some of the utitility bills in her name,
This  was done for visa purposes as , in the case of a DCF  filed Petition for Alien relative visa..
it can be helpful at the time of the 2 year AOS (they want proofs you live at the same address,and accept this as proofs)

The adjustment here was tough the first 6 months to a year,bu tnot too bad,
 after that, nyet problemo.


 

[Ronnie]

Ronnie, wrong info on the kid, taxes, and SSN.

SS won't issue a SSN to the child until after AOS and Conditional Alien Resident Card, as the child is ineligible to work, and is not a US resident alien or US citizen.  Wife can get the SSN because she is eligible to work (time between entry into US and marriage, then again after reciept of EAD or Cond. Resident Alien Card).

Child can be a dependent on Federal (and state) Income Tax returns without a SSN.  It is a pain in the @ss, but the child needs to obtain a ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) from the IRS.  Other options include filing for an extension (if you believe the Cond. resident Alien Card is coming soon), or filing an amended tax return after the Cond. resident Alien card arrives.

Conner, I have been through the process twice now, both times the with K2's in tow.  Both times the procedure was the same for the K2s.  The got the EAD within the 90 days, then the SSAN is granted by Social Security.  The K2s status is the same as the K1's.  I am only sourcing my own experience.  What are your sources on saying a K2 isn't eligible to work?

Here are a few additional sources...

http://www.hooyou.com/ead/eligibility.html

http://www.immihelp.com/visas/kvisa/k1-fiance-visa-application-process.html

[ConnerVT]

My K-1 had a work authorization stamp on her I-94, making it simple to get her SSN before her 90 day visa was expired.

My K-2 was only 5 at the time, and the EAD would be an additional expense, as even with an EAD and SSN, he still wouldn't be eligible to work.  Although your links state that a SSN can be issued to a K-2 with an EAD, the Social Security Administration typically will not issue a SSN to a non-resident alien/non-US-citizen exclusively for tax purposes.

Of course, if the K-2 is old enough to legally work, then you can go that route.  But I believe it is an added expense (unless EAD and AP for the K-2 is now also bundled with the current fee structure) that isn't necessary just to claim a dependent on your income taxes.

[Ronnie]

The EAD that is issued during the first 90 days is free.