Arrived in America

[birdyconfused 0]

Hi folks

Last night I arrived in America at JFK on my IR1 visa . Contrary to my past visits in America, the guy on the immigration counter was quite nice. Only thing he asked me was, "What is your purpose of visiting America" and I said I am immigrating to United States. Then he asked for my visa package. After that he took me and my documents to a room, asked me to sit there and wait and handed over my documents to another immigration officer. I waited there for 5 minutes and then I was told to take my passport to a counter just next to baggage reclaim area. It took another five minutes and I was good to go.

To my surprise no questioning, no interviewing, no suspicion, and also no one said the cliche "Welcome to America". I Didn't know it would be that easy to enter at a POE.

Anyways, here are few questions:

1. They simply stamped my passport and gave me no instructions or any sort of papers. Shouldn't they be giving some sort of instructions manual as to what to expect and do next once you have arrived in America as immigrant?

2. I wasn't also required to fill I-94 card, which I had to fill when I entered USA on visit visas in the past. Does that mean, I do not have to report any departures when I leave America in future?

3. Im a bit desperate to get my SSN; Many people on VJ complain that the social security checkbox on DS-230 dont work; should I goto social security office in the morning to apply for it or wait?

I would also like to thank you all at VJ very much who helped us go through all this process. It really helped us and didnt let us spend a single penny on lawyers fee

Regards

Rizwan

(using my wife's account)

Edited March 2, 2008 by birdyconfused

[DaniDimo 0]

Hi folks

Last night I arrived in America at JFK on my IR1 visa . Contrary to my past visits in America, the guy on the immigration counter was quite nice. Only thing he asked me was, "What is your purpose of visiting America" and I said I am immigrating to United States. Then he asked for my visa package. After that he took me and my documents to a room, asked me to sit there and wait and handed over my documents to another immigration officer. I waited there for 5 minutes and then I was told to take my passport to a counter just next to baggage reclaim area. It took another five minutes and I was good to go.

To my surprise no questioning, no interviewing, no suspicion, and also no one said the cliche "Welcome to America". I Didn't know it would be that easy to enter at a POE.

Anyways, here are few questions:

1. They simply stamped my passport and gave me no instructions or any sort of papers. Shouldn't they be giving some sort of instructions manual as to what to expect and do next once you have arrived in America as immigrant?

2. I wasn't also required to fill I-94 card, which I had to fill when I entered USA on visit visas in the past. Does that mean, I do not have to report any departures when I leave America in future?

3. Im a bit desperate to get my SSN; Many people on VJ complain that the social security checkbox on DS-230 dont work; should I goto social security office in the morning to apply for it or wait?

I would also like to thank you all at VJ very much who helped us go through all this process. It really helped us and didnt let us spend a single penny on lawyers fee

Regards

Rizwan

(using my wife's account)

Well Rizwan, Welcome to Unated States of America!!! And Good Luck on your new chapter in your life!!!

Dani

[coolgt 0]

first grat and welcome to america

2. if u can't speak english there might be some special case at POE

other than that they treat u as USC

[Rocketta 0]

Well I hope this is the case for everyone when they arrive. However, I will be shocked if it's that easy for my Iraqi husband.

[ThaiStyleUSA 1]

Welcome and congrats!

[michellea 0]

Hi.

Congrats.

Wait for 2 weeks and see if you get your SSN in the mail. (I was one of the lucky ones who did not have to go to the office.)

You will get a welcome letter from them in like 2 weeks, but not sure what you mean about "instructions".

Here's some:

Love the person you are with

Be happy!

That's it.

[Chris Parker 11]

1. They simply stamped my passport and gave me no instructions or any sort of papers. Shouldn't they be giving some sort of instructions manual as to what to expect and do next once you have arrived in America as immigrant?

Your visa should say quite clearly that it now serves as a temporary I-551. The registration number on your visa is the A#.

2. I wasn't also required to fill I-94 card, which I had to fill when I entered USA on visit visas in the past. Does that mean, I do not have to report any departures when I leave America in future?

You are not required to depart. If you do depart, the airlines will take your registration number when you check-in and report it for you.

3. Im a bit desperate to get my SSN; Many people on VJ complain that the social security checkbox on DS-230 dont work; should I goto social security office in the morning to apply for it or wait?

Go into SSA a few days after you arrive (5-10 business days suggested). Check "I don't know" on Form SS-5 for the question if you have ever applied before for an SSN. They will check if the SSN is being processed for you, and if not, they will process your application then.