PASSPORTS WILL BE ISSUED IN THE USA WITH SEVERE DELAYS
Americans who missed travel during the pandemic are now planning winter trips in earnest. Fellow US residents planning to travel should check their passports in advance. The State Department reports that the number of applications for new passports has increased dramatically recently - there are approximately two million people in the queue for passports today.
"There were about 2 million applications over the summer, but due to overtime and the return of employees to offices, we have reduced that number so that people do not miss their trips," said Andres Rodríguez of the US consular office. In 2019, the number of applications was 21 million, but already in 2020, their number dropped sharply to 11 million. So far, the number of applications has increased to 15 million, which is still not close to the figure recorded before the pandemic. "A lot of people probably waited and didn't apply during COVID because they didn't travel.
Now, as vaccines are introduced, we're seeing an increase in applications," Rodriguez added. During the lockdown, the offices of the passport offices were closed, and now the departments are increasing their work again. In order not to make a mistake with the dates, it is best to apply for obtaining or renewing a passport at least six months before the planned trip.
During this time, the applicant will have time to collect all the necessary documents, send them by mail to the passport office and wait for the final verdict. It is important to avoid mistakes that cause delays. The most common problems are an unacceptable passport photo or lack of a signature. As a rule, application processing takes about 11 weeks, 7 weeks for urgent cases.
But the offices are not working at 100%. In some cases, you need to go to another state to renew your passport. "Through titanic efforts and negotiations with the State Department, I was able to urgently get a new passport for him in another state at the Passport Agency, where I had to fly urgently. I do not recommend repeating this trick. Check the dates on your passports in advance," advises Kateryna, a resident of North Carolina.
PASSPORTS WILL BE ISSUED IN THE USA WITH SEVERE DELAYS
WHEN YOU CAN AND CANNOT CHANGE IMMIGRATION STATUS IN THE US
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS AND IMMIGRANTS: WHO AND WHY NEED A SSN AND HOW TO GET ONE
Americans who missed travel during the pandemic are now planning winter trips in earnest. Fellow US residents planning to travel should check their passports in advance. The State Department reports that the number of applications for new passports has increased dramatically recently - there are approximately two million people in the queue for passports today.
"There were about 2 million applications over the summer, but due to overtime and the return of employees to offices, we have reduced that number so that people do not miss their trips," said Andres Rodríguez of the US consular office. In 2019, the number of applications was 21 million, but already in 2020, their number dropped sharply to 11 million. So far, the number of applications has increased to 15 million, which is still not close to the figure recorded before the pandemic. "A lot of people probably waited and didn't apply during COVID because they didn't travel.
Now, as vaccines are introduced, we're seeing an increase in applications," Rodriguez added. During the lockdown, the offices of the passport offices were closed, and now the departments are increasing their work again. In order not to make a mistake with the dates, it is best to apply for obtaining or renewing a passport at least six months before the planned trip.
During this time, the applicant will have time to collect all the necessary documents, send them by mail to the passport office and wait for the final verdict. It is important to avoid mistakes that cause delays. The most common problems are an unacceptable passport photo or lack of a signature. As a rule, application processing takes about 11 weeks, 7 weeks for urgent cases.
But the offices are not working at 100%. In some cases, you need to go to another state to renew your passport. "Through titanic efforts and negotiations with the State Department, I was able to urgently get a new passport for him in another state at the Passport Agency, where I had to fly urgently. I do not recommend repeating this trick. Check the dates on your passports in advance," advises Kateryna, a resident of North Carolina.
Source nashiusa.com
What is a "change of immigration status"?
In what cases is it permissible?
Who can change the status and what is required for this?
All these questions are answered by the author of the blog "LAWYER IN THE USA Kateryna Muratova" on Yandex. Zen. Each type of nonimmigrant visa has its own period of stay in the United States.
A foreign national who came to the United States on a nonimmigrant visa has the right to change his status and stay in the United States for a longer period of time or on a PMP.
Yes, holders of a tourist visa can stay in the country for no more than 6 months, but if you change your status to student, then the period of authorized stay increases significantly.
When can I apply to change my US immigration status?
if you entered the country legally as an immigrant;
have not committed any crimes that could disqualify you from receiving immigration benefits;
there are no other factors that require the alien to leave the United States to obtain another immigrant status;
the alien applies for a change of status by mail or online using the USCIC ELIS before the expiration date printed on his document or Form I-94 recording the date of arrival and departure from the country.
To change immigration status, a foreigner must have a valid foreign passport. Who cannot change immigration status?
holders of visas of category C - a foreigner on the way;
D – crew member;
K-1 or K-2 – groom/bride or dependents of the groom/bride;
- witness or informant; TWOV - visa-free transit;
WT/WB - under the visa-free entry program. You should not immediately declare your intention to change your immigration status - you may be suspected that you specifically want to enter the US with a non-immigrant visa in order to stay in the country forever. The best option is to do it 2-3 months after your arrival, during which time your plans may well have changed.
There is no need to delay too much either, because the immigrant visa and foreign passport must be valid at the time of submitting the documents for the change of status. While the application for change of status is being considered, a foreigner does not have the right to study and work on the territory of the country. The whole process can take several months.
Source: ssa.gov
Why does a non-US citizen need a social security number? We explain.
If you are not a citizen and do not want to work in the United States, you probably do not need a Social Security Number (SSN).
Generally, only non-US citizens who are authorized to work in America can get a social security number.
Social Security numbers are used to tell the government about a person's wages and determine their eligibility for Social Security benefits, but they are also sometimes needed to receive other government services.
Legal US residents can receive many benefits and services without a social security number. You do not need an SSN to get a driver's license, enroll in school, get private health insurance, apply for school lunch programs or subsidized housing.
Some organizations use Social Security numbers to identify you in their records. However, most of them will identify you in any other way if you ask. Although many companies, such as banks and credit unions, may ask for your Social Security number, you generally do not have to provide one if you do not have one.
How to Get an Immigrant Social Security Number (SSN)
For immigrant visa holders.
If you are an immigrant, you can apply in two ways. You can apply in your home country before coming to the United States with your immigrant visa application. In almost all cases, if you apply for a Social Security number with your immigrant visa application, you do not need to visit a US Social Security office. The second method is suitable for those who are already in the USA. He can visit the office of the Social Security Service and fill out all the documents there.
For holders of non-immigrant visas.
Nonimmigrants can apply in two ways, depending on their visa status. If you are in the US lawfully and plan to apply for work authorization with DHS and USCIS, you can request an SSN in the same application with USCIS. This is Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization). If you are in the US legally to work (ie you do not need to file Form I-765), then you must visit a Social Security office in person to file your application.
What should be added to the application for obtaining an SSN
You need to verify your identity and immigration status with work authorization. To verify your identity and immigration status with work authorization, you will need to show your current US immigration documents and an unexpired foreign passport.
Documents required for this:
form I-551 (lawful permanent resident card, machine-readable immigrant visa);
an admission note indicating the class that allows you to work in the United States;
form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) or form I-766 (Employment Authorization).
international students with an F-1 or M-1 visa, an I-20 form or a letter from an official representative of the educational institution will be required. 10 working days.
Otherwise, other documents such as a valid passport or a document issued by DHS are considered as proof of age. An application for a Social Security card (Form SS-5) is completed at a Social Security Administration office or on the agency's website.
It is important to remember that all documents must be either originals or copies certified by the institution that issued them. Photocopies or notarized copies of documents are not accepted. One document can be used for two purposes, for example, a passport can prove identity and serve as proof of age. However, you must provide at least two separate documents.
The application should be submitted no earlier than 10 days after arrival in America. This will allow all data about you to be pulled into a digital database and simplify the identity verification and SSN issuance process. Applying for a social security number and card is free.
SSN for other purposes
If you are not authorized to work in the US, you can only get a Social Security number if you can prove that you need it for a good reason not related to work. This can happen, for example, if federal law requires you to have a Social Security number in order to receive benefits for which you have already proven your eligibility.
If you need a number for tax purposes and you are not authorized to work in the United States, you can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
If a business or government agency asks for a Social Security number and you are not authorized to work in the United States, ask if they can identify you in another way. In most cases, you will be able to get the service or license you need without Social Security.
How to contact the Social Security Service There you can: apply for assistance; open an account for social security; get valuable information; find publications; get answers to frequently asked questions and more.
