Help a confused girl out!

[Misty1979 0]

Hey guys, just a couple quick questions before I hop the plane tomorrow and head home to the US finally

I'm a little confused as to when I can actually start working. I know my greencard will take anywhere from 3-7 weeks to come in the mail after I arrive, and my SSN can take just as long, but do I need to actually have both of them in my possession before I can work?

And...

I checked off that little box on the DS-230 asking them to apply for a SSN number for me. Since it doesn't sound like they are very diligent on actually applying for our numbers for us, should I just stop in at the local SSN office and apply anyways?

Any advice would be appreciated:)

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Okiedokie. You do not need the physical GC to work, but you do need the SSN card. My take? Wait 2 weeks, go to your local SSA office and apply for the SSN. It should arrive in 2 weeks or so (the card, but you can find out the actual number in circa 72 hours). Familiarize yourself with form I-9 from Homeland Security (eligibility for employment or some sh1te like that).

Good flight!!!

[Caladan 19]

I think you can work if you can show that you're work authorized (which the green card does) and that you have applied for the social security number and that it will arrive in a certain number of days.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Congrats and have a safe flight home!!!

[Misty1979 0]

Ok cool, so by the sounds of things, I won't have to sit around for 6+ weeks waiting for a green card to come in the mail, that was my main concern:) There is a SSN office nearby our new place in NC, so I'll make sure to pop in there and grace them with my presence within a couple of weeks just to make sure my SSN card is really on the way

Thanks for the speedy replies!

[djc 0]

I.think.most.employers.are.gonna.want.a.SSN!

Clear.your.inbox.Misty!...You're.all.full!

[Misty1979 0]

I.think.most.employers.are.gonna.want.a.SSN!

Clear.your.inbox.Misty!...You're.all.full!

Ooh you're right...must be that person who spams me all the time I'll have to sift through again and delete a couple....I have a serious problem deleting emails, I guess I'm a packrat when it comes to my inbox hehe.

[Flames9_RN 358]

All depends on who u ask!!

1) you wont actually need the "green" card to work!! The I-551 stamp acts in its place until the actual card arrives!! The 551 stamp is good for 1 yr, but ur card will arrive before that. 1 month is around the average wait time

2) Ur able to work as soon as u arrive, as long as the employer is happy with that. If after 10 to14 BUSINESS days, no SSN, head to ur local office and check on its status and be prepared to "reapply" One can download the form and already have it filled out at ssa.gov The problem is that many employer may not now the rules that apply to the type of visa that you came in on, so be prepared to assist them in finding the info!! makes you look intelligent at the same time, which I'm sure u are!! Best of luck

[CutienPurg 0]

http://www.osha.gov/pls/epub/wageindex.dow...I9_Handbook.pdf

check page 20 of the Handbook or 22-ish of the PDF Part 8/ List A

Good Luck woman!!!!

[Earmuffs 1]

on my K1 i waited 5 days went in and had it 4 days later. All depends on where you live for mailing.

[Reba 2]

I think an employer can't actually pay you until you have your SSN, so if you end up waiting several weeks on that, you'll be waiting several weeks on a paycheque too!

[CutienPurg 0]

I think you're right on that one Reba.Without the actual number they dont know who really theyre taxing. I suppose if the perfect job came up and you were willing to wait to be paid to have the job it might be worth it.

This summer my daughter had a camp counseling job but couldn't find her b/c or ss card. They allowed her to work but held her checks until she provided the docs.

[thermophile 0]

proof that you've applied for an SSN is all that's required to work-but I'm guessing that most employers aren't going to be willing to be that technical. I'd say go ask the SSA where your number is after you've been here for 2-3 days. Feigned ignorance seems to work in this type of situation-"Oh, I wasn't supposed to bother you till it'd been 4 weeks. I'm so sorry, can't you help me anyway?"

Oh and the hubby didn't have a problem getting hired with just the canceled visa-there's some verbage at the bottom of the visa saying that it's valid work authorization for a year or something like that. The company didn't bat an eye

Edited December 19, 2007 by thermophile