In some cases it bears a legend “NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT” or “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION”, contingent to the citizenship and status of the individual. Nevertheless, the most important content of the card is the Social Security Number or SSN which serves as a number assigned by the U.S. government to the owner thereof.

Purpose

The objective of having this is for the government to keep track on the earnings and benefits given to every individual residing in the United States. Moreover, it is used by schools, banks and other agencies as proof of identification.

Application

There are two ways to apply for a Social Security number and card.

First, the person may apply in the home country through the U.S. Embassy designated. He only needs to submit along with the other required documents a duly accomplished Form DS-230 Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration. Please be reminded to answer “yes” in Questions 33a and 33b on the Form DS-230. The embassy will submit the information in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If the applicant is consequently admitted into the U.S., the DHS will forward the collected information to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the latter will send the Social Security Card in the mailing address in the U.S.

Secondly, an application may be submitted in the Social Security Office in the U.S. If one prefers the second one, it is advisable to wait for at least 10 days after arrival in U.S. before filing the documents required. For the reason that only at this point will the documents of the applicant be are available in the DHS data system for verification.

He will only need to bring the following papers to the local Security Office:

• Completed Application for Social Security Card (Form SS-5)

• At least two original Documents proving: Identity and Immigration Status, Work Eligibility and Age

After the information and documents submitted are verified, the SSN and card will be mailed to the mailing address of the applicant in the U.S.

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In 2008 alone, the Yearbook of Immigration Statistics: 2008 issued by the Office of Immigration Statistics of the Department of Homeland Security, declared that there are about 801 K1 visas issued in favor of Thai nationals.

A few hundreds more are presently pending. In order to hasten the waiting time to meet each other, as a substitute of applying for the K1 visa, few couples elect to request for U.S. tourist visa in its place. Truly, the processing time for K1 visa is longer than that for tourist visa. More papers are also involved in the former visa. Nevertheless, there still a lot things to consider first before taking this alternative.

Advantages of K1 visa

• The principle followed by consular officers in resolving applications is “All applicants for visitor visa intends to immigrate, in case of doubt, deny the application”.  This makes the officers stricter in handling application for tourist visas. Though the processing time is shorter, the risk of denial is much greater.

• The duty of consular officers in deciding on applications is purely discretionary. If they have the slightest feeling that applicant intends to go to U.S. to stay for good, it will already result to immediate denial.

• Moreover, even if the visitor visa is issued, the applicant could face an enormous trouble later on. Persons who do not disclose their true intention for going to the U.S. is actually committing immigration fraud. This crime is punishable by imprisonment and/or fine and may ultimately lead to permanent bar to legal entry into the United States.

Conclusion

The benefits of getting a tourist visa instead of a K1 visa are very tempting but the disadvantages clearly outweigh the advantages. If the couple is planning to marry when they finally meet, the K1 visa is the better option.

Also note that taking your fiancee to the US on a tourist visa for the purposes of marriage maybe be deemed to be illegal and may create problems further down the line.

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