My New Life...so far.

[bowgirl 8]

I came to the US January 25 and instead of Las Vegas, I went to Buffalo,NY to meet my husband and his family there. Then while we were in Buffalo, we went to Niagara Falls since Canada border was just 15-20 minutes drive. I was hesitant because I thought I'd have a problem at the border but after few questions and checking my passport and visa, the officer said we can go. When I re-entered the US from Canada, the CBP officer was "confused" about the visa I'm holding, took my passport and commanded us to park our car and talk to the higher officer. When we went to the office, the officer said "he made a mistake, you're holding an immigrant visa so you're not supposed to be here (in his office). And I was like, Hmmm...The CBP officer doesn't know,huh?Interesting..Anyway, I am now here in Las Vegas, reviewing DMV manual and I think I'm ready to take the driver's permit test. It's just that I still don't have my SSN. That's another issue. I thought I was going to receive my SSN since I checked that box in my DS-230 form but when we went to SSA office, the lady said Im not in their database. I'm really curious how USCIS work on this. I am soooo bored. I started sending my resume and cover letters online. I have a degree in Hotel and Restaurant and since I'm here in Vegas, I hope I can find a job soon after obtaining those freaking permits. God bless us all.

beth

[sjr09 155]

I came to the US January 25 and instead of Las Vegas, I went to Buffalo,NY to meet my husband and his family there. Then while we were in Buffalo, we went to Niagara Falls since Canada border was just 15-20 minutes drive. I was hesitant because I thought I'd have a problem at the border but after few questions and checking my passport and visa, the officer said we can go. When I re-entered the US from Canada, the CBP officer was "confused" about the visa I'm holding, took my passport and commanded us to park our car and talk to the higher officer. When we went to the office, the officer said "he made a mistake, you're holding an immigrant visa so you're not supposed to be here (in his office). And I was like, Hmmm...The CBP officer doesn't know,huh?Interesting..Anyway, I am now here in Las Vegas, reviewing DMV manual and I think I'm ready to take the driver's permit test. It's just that I still don't have my SSN. That's another issue. I thought I was going to receive my SSN since I checked that box in my DS-230 form but when we went to SSA office, the lady said Im not in their database. I'm really curious how USCIS work on this. I am soooo bored. I started sending my resume and cover letters online. I have a degree in Hotel and Restaurant and since I'm here in Vegas, I hope I can find a job soon after obtaining those freaking permits. God bless us all.

beth

We had the same thing 'not in the database', go down to your SSN office with your passport and fill out a new form. My wife had it in ten days.

[bowgirl 8]

We had the same thing 'not in the database', go down to your SSN office with your passport and fill out a new form. My wife had it in ten days.

Yes, that's what we did yesterday. The lady said she would start the application procedure since I was "not in their database" yet so now atleast I know I'm REALLY waiting for my SSN since I applied personally.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Your POE date was less than 3 weeks ago and I understand the feeling of restlessness and boredom as my wife also experienced it, but be patient as many who went through the K-1 process had to wait sometimes 6 months before they could start working.

Also, you might want to lower your job expectations a little as you soon will find that many employers will want to know what kind of work experience you've had here (which understandably is nothing). My wife was practicing dentistry for 6 years in the PH and as soon as she got her Green Card, started applying for dental assistant jobs. Some of the interviews were pretty humiliating, like..."But you don't have any front office experience." In a way, you'll be starting from scratch, and may have to take an entry level position working in a hotel to start out with.

[bowgirl 8]

Your POE date was less than 3 weeks ago and I understand the feeling of restlessness and boredom as my wife also experienced it, but be patient as many who went through the K-1 process had to wait sometimes 6 months before they could start working.

Also, you might want to lower your job expectations a little as you soon will find that many employers will want to know what kind of work experience you've had here (which understandably is nothing). My wife was practicing dentistry for 6 years in the PH and as soon as she got her Green Card, started applying for dental assistant jobs. Some of the interviews were pretty humiliating, like..."But you don't have any front office experience." In a way, you'll be starting from scratch, and may have to take an entry level position working in a hotel to start out with.

Yes sir, exactly what my husband said. Thanks.

[Darnell 8,478]

make sure you are applying for a SSN in your VISA NAME.

If you are applying in your MARRIED NAME - they won't find you.

Also - remind the clerk that you hold an IMMIGRATION VISA and to LOOK YOU UP in the SAVE database system.

If they can't find you - if they REALLY can't find you - get a supervisor - ask him/her to have a look.

If they REALLY can't find you by yer VISA name - then come back in a few days - try again. LEAVE if your application is not accepted.

Come back each day, until it IS accepted.

Once it is accepted, come back 2 days LATER, then get the # from the clerk. The paper ID will show up in about 10 days. Maybe.

[sjr09 155]

Your POE date was less than 3 weeks ago and I understand the feeling of restlessness and boredom as my wife also experienced it, but be patient as many who went through the K-1 process had to wait sometimes 6 months before they could start working.

Also, you might want to lower your job expectations a little as you soon will find that many employers will want to know what kind of work experience you've had here (which understandably is nothing). My wife was practicing dentistry for 6 years in the PH and as soon as she got her Green Card, started applying for dental assistant jobs. Some of the interviews were pretty humiliating, like..."But you don't have any front office experience." In a way, you'll be starting from scratch, and may have to take an entry level position working in a hotel to start out with.

Not to pick on-u but as the OP pointed out not in database you can wait till pigs fly, but you won’t get a SSN! K-1 procedures do not apply, OP is CR-1/IR-1

BTW Hotel job’s here pay 15-16 bucks hr. not to bad! Maybe better then a dental assistant?

[Ban Hammer 13,333]

I came to the US January 25 and instead of Las Vegas, I went to Buffalo,NY to meet my husband and his family there. Then while we were in Buffalo, we went to Niagara Falls since Canada border was just 15-20 minutes drive. I was hesitant because I thought I'd have a problem at the border but after few questions and checking my passport and visa, the officer said we can go. When I re-entered the US from Canada, the CBP officer was "confused" about the visa I'm holding, took my passport and commanded us to park our car and talk to the higher officer. When we went to the office, the officer said "he made a mistake, you're holding an immigrant visa so you're not supposed to be here (in his office). And I was like, Hmmm...The CBP officer doesn't know,huh?Interesting..Anyway, I am now here in Las Vegas, reviewing DMV manual and I think I'm ready to take the driver's permit test. It's just that I still don't have my SSN. That's another issue. I thought I was going to receive my SSN since I checked that box in my DS-230 form but when we went to SSA office, the lady said Im not in their database. I'm really curious how USCIS work on this. I am soooo bored. I started sending my resume and cover letters online. I have a degree in Hotel and Restaurant and since I'm here in Vegas, I hope I can find a job soon after obtaining those freaking permits. God bless us all.

beth

best place to ask about social security number info is this forum: Working & Traveling prior to getting a Green Card

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showforum=115

that's where the ssn gurus hang out. if you'd like, i can move this thread to there and ask one of them to give you their thoughts on the above subject.

[sjr09 155]

make sure you are applying for a SSN in your VISA NAME.

If you are applying in your MARRIED NAME - they won't find you.

Also - remind the clerk that you hold an IMMIGRATION VISA and to LOOK YOU UP in the SAVE database system.

If they can't find you - if they REALLY can't find you - get a supervisor - ask him/her to have a look.

If they REALLY can't find you by yer VISA name - then come back in a few days - try again. LEAVE if your application is not accepted.

Come back each day, until it IS accepted.

Once it is accepted, come back 2 days LATER, then get the # from the clerk. The paper ID will show up in about 10 days. Maybe.

Our chosen route was simple we walked in took a number sat down waited, was called to the window, gave the lady our reason for a new SSN she asked for her passport the lady filled out the forum for us on her PC and out the door, in under 30-40 min. Your method sound exhausting and not necessary.

[Darnell 8,478]

Our chosen route was simple we walked in took a number sat down waited, was called to the window, gave the lady our reason for a new SSN she asked for her passport the lady filled out the forum for us on her PC and out the door, in under 30-40 min. Your method sound exhausting and not necessary.

You were lucky. Was it accepted on 'that day' ?

My method is comprehensive, not exhausting. Perhaps your direct experience is normal for 'if no problems' at the SSA office.

[sjr09 155]

You were lucky. Was it accepted on 'that day' ?

My method is comprehensive, not exhausting. Perhaps your direct experience is normal for 'if no problems' at the SSA office.

Well if you call not in the database like I said in my post to the OP as normal for if no problems perhaps, but I would say it's not the norm. But like I said it was not a problem 'like a walk in the park on a sunny day' and yes it was accepted that day,and in hand ten days later.

[Darnell 8,478]

We had the same thing 'not in the database', go down to your SSN office with your passport and fill out a new form. My wife had it in ten days.

Great - so you went, at least twice. Excellent !

[sjr09 155]

Great - so you went, at least twice. Excellent !

Only one time! PAU.....

Perhaps living in Hawaii helps, we have a high immigration rate and they (local ssn office) may deal a lot with this kind of experience? Hard to say....

[Psoas10 17]

Only one time! PAU.....

Perhaps living in Hawaii helps, we have a high immigration rate and they (local ssn office) may deal a lot with this kind of experience? Hard to say....

Yeah and the guy at the front desk was Ilocano and spoke both Ilocano and Filipino. I wonder how it was on Maui.

[sjr09 155]

Yeah and the guy at the front desk was Ilocano and spoke both Ilocano and Filipino. I wonder how it was on Maui.

My wife only knows Visayan languages and Tagalog ....LOL the lady was haole so she and I was the only one’s there, you know us haoles have that unspoken rule when out numbered! HELP ME SISTA! HELP....LOL