When you cross the border

[jonesg111 0]

I was wondering if you need to wait for your green card and SSN in the mail before you can legally work, or do they give you something that will temporarily show your ability to live and work in the US.

I'm getting the CR-1 Visa.

Thanks

Edited March 26, 2009 by jonesg111

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I was wondering if you need to wait for your green card and SSN in the mail before you can legally work, or do they give you something that will temporarily show your ability to live and work in the US.

I'm getting the CR-1 Visa.

Thanks

As a CR-1 holder, you are eligible for work "immediately" : as in, once you have your SSN.

Quick tip: SSNs do not always come right after; so do check with your local Social Security office in say, 3 weeks.

Familiarize yourself with the form I-9 "employment eligibility verification" or something like that - gives you options of documents you can use to demonstrate you can work.

[YuAndDan 153]

NO you can take a job and are able to travel imediatly after entry.

You will get an I-551 stamp at the POE. I-551 = GREEN-CARD.

This is a big reason why you should consider CR-1 or IR-1 visas over K-3

[MMW 2]

As for your SSN, if you checked the box on the DS230 stating you want a ss card issued, don't wait more than a week or so for it in the mail. Just go to your local ss office and have them check to see if a card is in process for you and if not apply then for one it will arrive about a week later. Checking the box on the DS230 doesn't assure you will get one. many posters have done that and waited never receiving the card. So definitely follow up on it right away.

[cmnb 0]

As for your SSN, if you checked the box on the DS230 stating you want a ss card issued, don't wait more than a week or so for it in the mail. Just go to your local ss office and have them check to see if a card is in process for you and if not apply then for one it will arrive about a week later. Checking the box on the DS230 doesn't assure you will get one. many posters have done that and waited never receiving the card. So definitely follow up on it right away.

good tip!! i will do that as well!

[jonesg111 0]

I actually already have a SSN from when I lived in the US while going to college. It does say on the card though "Valid only with INS Authorization" so I did check off the box to get another one. I'm assuming that I'd just get a new card without that writing on it but the same number.

[YuAndDan 153]

I actually already have a SSN from when I lived in the US while going to college. It does say on the card though "Valid only with INS Authorization" so I did check off the box to get another one. I'm assuming that I'd just get a new card without that writing on it but the same number.

Nope, the I-551 stamp is INS Authorization, so you can take a job. A few weeks after entry simply visit an SSA office and get the SSN-card replaced with one without the notation on it.

[gixbr 0]

I actually already have a SSN from when I lived in the US while going to college. It does say on the card though "Valid only with INS Authorization" so I did check off the box to get another one. I'm assuming that I'd just get a new card without that writing on it but the same number.

Jones, I actually had the same experience.

Like, I have a SSN from when I worked in the U.S, through an exchange program, but with the same exception written on it.

For that option on the DS-230 I said I didn't want another number but I checked YES for getting a new card.