Do we have to live together?

[john_and_marlene 162]

At the POE, you will get an I-551 stamp in your passport. That stamp is proof of your permanent residence. It is as good as a GC for applying for work. Once you get your SS card, you can apply for work even if you haven't received the actual GC yet.

[Erthwhile 0]

At the POE, you will get an I-551 stamp in your passport. That stamp is proof of your permanent residence. It is as good as a GC for applying for work. Once you get your SS card, you can apply for work even if you haven't received the actual GC yet.

But can I apply for a SSN even without my wife?

And another thing: on I-130 you have to indicate the address where you intend to live in the USA right? So... will I have to live there or I can live somewhere else? We plan to indicate my wife's grandma's address, where I could stay for 2-3 weeks before the MBA start. Can I make the change of address by myself?

[john_and_marlene 162]

At the POE, you will get an I-551 stamp in your passport. That stamp is proof of your permanent residence. It is as good as a GC for applying for work. Once you get your SS card, you can apply for work even if you haven't received the actual GC yet.

But can I apply for a SSN even without my wife?

And another thing: on I-130 you have to indicate the address where you intend to live in the USA right? So... will I have to live there or I can live somewhere else? We plan to indicate my wife's grandma's address, where I could stay for 2-3 weeks before the MBA start. Can I make the change of address by myself?

You need to live where you say you are living. If you move, you need to submit a change of address. You can apply for SSN on your own.

[Erthwhile 0]

At the POE, you will get an I-551 stamp in your passport. That stamp is proof of your permanent residence. It is as good as a GC for applying for work. Once you get your SS card, you can apply for work even if you haven't received the actual GC yet.

But can I apply for a SSN even without my wife?

And another thing: on I-130 you have to indicate the address where you intend to live in the USA right? So... will I have to live there or I can live somewhere else? We plan to indicate my wife's grandma's address, where I could stay for 2-3 weeks before the MBA start. Can I make the change of address by myself?

You need to live where you say you are living. If you move, you need to submit a change of address. You can apply for SSN on your own.

And can I change of address while i'm waiting for my physical green card to arrive? That is, after I enter the USA but before I get my gc and ssn in the mail? Furthermore, even if I move I will still be able to receive mail at my first address... thanks for your help, I really appreciate it!!

[YuAndDan 153]

And can I change of address while i'm waiting for my physical green card to arrive? That is, after I enter the USA but before I get my gc and ssn in the mail? Furthermore, even if I move I will still be able to receive mail at my first address... thanks for your help, I really appreciate it!!

Moving before receiving the card is risking getting the card lost in the mail.

Best thing to do is to use an address that wont change, like a parent or friend, and after the card arrives, THEN file AR-11 and I-865 to change address.

[Erthwhile 0]

And can I change of address while i'm waiting for my physical green card to arrive? That is, after I enter the USA but before I get my gc and ssn in the mail? Furthermore, even if I move I will still be able to receive mail at my first address... thanks for your help, I really appreciate it!!

Moving before receiving the card is risking getting the card lost in the mail.

Best thing to do is to use an address that wont change, like a parent or friend, and after the card arrives, THEN file AR-11 and I-865 to change address.

I see! great! but won't I incur in problems, as they say I have to notice ofthe change of address within 10 days?

[Erthwhile 0]

And can I change of address while i'm waiting for my physical green card to arrive? That is, after I enter the USA but before I get my gc and ssn in the mail? Furthermore, even if I move I will still be able to receive mail at my first address... thanks for your help, I really appreciate it!!

Moving before receiving the card is risking getting the card lost in the mail.

Best thing to do is to use an address that wont change, like a parent or friend, and after the card arrives, THEN file AR-11 and I-865 to change address.

I see! great! but won't I incur in problems, as they say I have to notice ofthe change of address within 10 days?

Could anybody help? Thanks!

Does also anybody know where I can find info about how long it takes to get a visa through DCF in Italy?

Also, what does it mean that I have to activate the green card once in the US?

thanks!!

[pushbrk 12,883]

And can I change of address while i'm waiting for my physical green card to arrive? That is, after I enter the USA but before I get my gc and ssn in the mail? Furthermore, even if I move I will still be able to receive mail at my first address... thanks for your help, I really appreciate it!!

Moving before receiving the card is risking getting the card lost in the mail.

Best thing to do is to use an address that wont change, like a parent or friend, and after the card arrives, THEN file AR-11 and I-865 to change address.

I see! great! but won't I incur in problems, as they say I have to notice ofthe change of address within 10 days?

Could anybody help? Thanks!

Does also anybody know where I can find info about how long it takes to get a visa through DCF in Italy?

Also, what does it mean that I have to activate the green card once in the US?

thanks!!

I would indicate the US address as an "in car of". Example

Joe Immigrant

C/O Grandma's Name

street

City, State Zip

Then wait until you have your green card and SSN before notifying USCIS of a new address.

The C/O in the address tells the letter carrier Grandma has authorized your mail to be delivered to her address so it doesn't get returned in error.

[Erthwhile 0]

How long should my US spouse live in Italy before filing for DCF? It's usually 6 months isn't it? Have the 6 months to be consecutive?

thanks a lot!

[pushbrk 12,883]

How long should my US spouse live in Italy before filing for DCF? It's usually 6 months isn't it? Have the 6 months to be consecutive?

thanks a lot!

Yes, six months of consecutive legal residence.

[Erthwhile 0]

Does that mean that she can't leave the country, not even for holiday/work? She plans to go to see her family for one or two months... is that ok?

thanks!

[pushbrk 12,883]

Does that mean that she can't leave the country, not even for holiday/work? She plans to go to see her family for one or two months... is that ok?

thanks!

Probably not. Check with the Consulate directly.

[Ling Ling 22]

Does that mean that she can't leave the country, not even for holiday/work? She plans to go to see her family for one or two months... is that ok?

thanks!

Probably not. Check with the Consulate directly.

Pushbrk is correct....absolutely check with the Consulate. When we were trying to do DCF, the Tokyo Consulate reviewed my passport and started adding dates based on entry and departure stamps...but it didn't add up to 6 months, and of course we were denied. So...it appears that in SOME instances, the residency requirement may not have to be contiguous. That said, they may also want to see some record of legal residency. That is...in most countries, you are only allowed to legally visit for up to 6 months within a year and many for only 90 days in a half year, unless you have express permission. To that end, it's my understanding that unless you're a celebrity or gov't official, Italia will only issue a 90 day visa. It's been almost 2 years since I last visited Italia, so my information may be out of date.

Keywords here are "6 months of LEGAL residency".

You don't want to start trying to do official business when you've overstayed your visa.

Edited October 5, 2008 by Ling Ling

[pushbrk 12,883]

Does that mean that she can't leave the country, not even for holiday/work? She plans to go to see her family for one or two months... is that ok?

thanks!

Probably not. Check with the Consulate directly.

Pushbrk is correct....absolutely check with the Consulate. When we were trying to do DCF, the Tokyo Consulate reviewed my passport and started adding dates based on entry and departure stamps...but it didn't add up to 6 months, and of course we were denied. So...it appears that in SOME instances, the residency requirement may not have to be contiguous. That said, they may also want to see some record of legal residency. That is...in most countries, you are only allowed to legally visit for up to 6 months within a year and many for only 90 days in a half year, unless you have express permission. To that end, it's my understanding that unless you're a celebrity or gov't official, Italia will only issue a 90 day visa. It's been almost 2 years since I last visited Italia, so my information may be out of date.

Keywords here are "6 months of LEGAL residency".

You don't want to start trying to do official business when you've overstayed your visa.

Apparently the OP's wife is on a student visa.

[Erthwhile 0]

Does that mean that she can't leave the country, not even for holiday/work? She plans to go to see her family for one or two months... is that ok?

thanks!

Probably not. Check with the Consulate directly.

Pushbrk is correct....absolutely check with the Consulate. When we were trying to do DCF, the Tokyo Consulate reviewed my passport and started adding dates based on entry and departure stamps...but it didn't add up to 6 months, and of course we were denied. So...it appears that in SOME instances, the residency requirement may not have to be contiguous. That said, they may also want to see some record of legal residency. That is...in most countries, you are only allowed to legally visit for up to 6 months within a year and many for only 90 days in a half year, unless you have express permission. To that end, it's my understanding that unless you're a celebrity or gov't official, Italia will only issue a 90 day visa. It's been almost 2 years since I last visited Italia, so my information may be out of date.

Keywords here are "6 months of LEGAL residency".

You don't want to start trying to do official business when you've overstayed your visa.

Apparently the OP's wife is on a student visa.

Hi again folks, and thanks for your help!

My wife is in Italy legally. I mean: she entered Italy with a tourist visa and then we married. Now, she filed for an "Italian green card", which means she can live and work in italy soon. She also has her residence officially registered with me in Italy, and we have a joint bank account here in Italy. She plans to go to Japan next year for a couple of months to see her family, yet she will still be resident of Italy...

thanks!