Waiting, waiting and still...

[redmen99 1]

Hope you get it soon, Froggie! I'm twelve days behind you.

They gave me my Virginia driver's license with only my passport stamp as proof of permanent residency, so that's a good sign in MY case at least. Are there places not letting you use that I-551 stamp as proof? It really is a de facto green card!

As for the SIN, that's MY biggest concern too. I've been applying to jobs etc., but I'll feel MUCH more comfortable when I get that SIN in the mail.

A lot of States will not issue a Drivers License without a Social Security Card. You can have all the proof in the world that you are a resident or even a US Citizen, but without that card, no drivers license.

Got my fingers crossed for ya lgg!

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

A lot of States will not issue a Drivers License without a Social Security Card. You can have all the proof in the world that you are a resident or even a US Citizen, but without that card, no drivers license.

Wow... Another reason for me to be glad I'm in Virginia then!

[JlovesA 109]

You know what? When I had to read a line of text for my eye test at the DMV today I managed to say "Z" as ZEE and not ZED. I thought I turned the corner away from all my Canadianness then. Apparently not.

I used to work in a cell centre in Ontario where I provided tech support for an American ISP. I just got in the habit of saying "zee" as whenever I said "zed," the American on the line would always say, "Huh?" But we Canadians are protective of "zed,"...people rip my head off when I say "zee." Haha

[Leafgal 3]

No Wyatt, don't lose your Canadianness, you may still need it lol

[lgg 2]

I bake you some cookies too, okay? I am a pretty good cook. It's one of the things I love to do. I really should sit back and enjoy this time but I am way too energetic to have things hold me back. I bet you a dollar that once all the stuff is rolling that I totally bvtch about OH MY GOD, too busy to cook and blah, blah and blah...

The fickle nature of us humans, eh?

Eh, Wyatt? Cannot turn the corner on your Canadian-ness -- you is that.

And good job with using the stamp in your passport for your drivers stuff -- i won't be able to do that in MD, I already called and asked. I know about all the drivers here too -- can't wait to get into that crazy traffic spin of the DC circle! And that was the most sarcastic thing i've ever said.

PS

Cookies for all of you, BTW for making me feel a bit better about fretting...

Mmmm. Cookies.

And yes...keep studying for that driver's license. It's probably best that you just throw away the book after you get on the road, though. In the short time that I've been in the DC-Baltimore Metro area, I've already seen pretty much every rule broken!

D'OH!!!

You know what? When I had to read a line of text for my eye test at the DMV today I managed to say "Z" as ZEE and not ZED. I thought I turned the corner away from all my Canadianness then. Apparently not.

[soonenough 1]

The wife came here on Feb 6th... Feb 8th we went to the SSN office and applied for a card (yes we checked the box but thought we would try there anyway). The lady told us she would have to check the system in 10 days to do a full sumbital. We even tried to change the last name for the wife to the married name which they said was ok just would be a little more complicated when trying to apply for jobs and what not based on the different last names. On Mar 10th she received a welcome letter, on Mar 15th we received the SSN number. With the maiden name on it so i assumed they processed it from the visa petition not the SSN office. As far as the license she had a temp license... but for some reason when she went to go and get a new one they thought that her temp license was a FUll license and they gave her a full one... Which is fine

[lgg 2]

Thanks for chiming in there! It's actually good to hear stuff like this as this way, I/we don't focus on the "oh my gawd, so and so got theirs in 2.5 weeks!" Like others have said, each case is different and the govt. does what i wants when it wants.

On another note... I checked the USCIS site with my old NOA1/2 number from the I-130 and that is how I'm tracking the process of my GC. It says that it is in Post Decision Activity.

For all of you who didn't know about this feature -- I sure didn't...

The wife came here on Feb 6th... Feb 8th we went to the SSN office and applied for a card (yes we checked the box but thought we would try there anyway). The lady told us she would have to check the system in 10 days to do a full sumbital. We even tried to change the last name for the wife to the married name which they said was ok just would be a little more complicated when trying to apply for jobs and what not based on the different last names. On Mar 10th she received a welcome letter, on Mar 15th we received the SSN number. With the maiden name on it so i assumed they processed it from the visa petition not the SSN office. As far as the license she had a temp license... but for some reason when she went to go and get a new one they thought that her temp license was a FUll license and they gave her a full one... Which is fine

[OBX 51]

Thanks for chiming in there! It's actually good to hear stuff like this as this way, I/we don't focus on the "oh my gawd, so and so got theirs in 2.5 weeks!" Like others have said, each case is different and the govt. does what i wants when it wants.

On another note... I checked the USCIS site with my old NOA1/2 number from the I-130 and that is how I'm tracking the process of my GC. It says that it is in Post Decision Activity.

For all of you who didn't know about this feature -- I sure didn't...

When you receive your welcome notice ( I-797C, a NOA3 ) there will be a receipt number on it that you can use to track the status of your green card. Just before I received mine the status was listed as "green card production ordered." Good luck.

Edited March 21, 2010 by OBX

[darkchilde794 5]

So first off I dont know how the SSN production is for your situation, as I came in the country through K1 and had to apply from here.

Anyway, theres a social security office in Columbia and it should be about half hour or so from where you are. They have weird hours but if your hubby can take the morning off, you can be one with it! Its not crowded in the morning and Ive been able to come there at 9 and be done by 9:30. When I came there, they said they had to check my identity with USCIS and filed some papers in my behalf... anyway card came in the mail yesterday roughly 3 weeks after I came in the office.

As for MD license, you might be able to get a temporary one or at least schedule your written exam without your SSN and GC. You have to take the mandatory classes if youve never had a license before though. And if you and hubby live in a one car household (like us!), then maybe you can drive him to work as practice (you gotta fulfill the hour requirements anyway).

Good luck my friend! If hubby does not need the car this Thurs, I can take you to the Columbia SSN office.

[lgg 2]

Aw, you're such a sweetie! what a nice offer -- i'm touched. I'm trying to work it out with my guy but based on what soonenough said, it seems like they can't do anything if you've 'checked the box'. I just wish we COULD sit back and go, 'yep, checked the box, it's a comin'..." just a real drag.

FYI, DC, check the box means that as CR/IR1 visas, we check a box in one of our forms that says, "yes, I would like a SSN sent to me once i enter the US on an approved Visa." So basically, they should be sending us one as soon as we POE.

I'm going to wait a few more days. Yes, I know it's the govt. but it' still freaking frustrating -- if you don't want to send us the SSN, fine but don't confuse the issue by making us assume we're going to get one as you offered us one, you dumb-dumbs.

Early morning Sunday rant -- not enough coffee yet. Regardless, Darkchilde, you're a sweetie and thank you.

So first off I dont know how the SSN production is for your situation, as I came in the country through K1 and had to apply from here.

Anyway, theres a social security office in Columbia and it should be about half hour or so from where you are. They have weird hours but if your hubby can take the morning off, you can be one with it! Its not crowded in the morning and Ive been able to come there at 9 and be done by 9:30. When I came there, they said they had to check my identity with USCIS and filed some papers in my behalf... anyway card came in the mail yesterday roughly 3 weeks after I came in the office.

As for MD license, you might be able to get a temporary one or at least schedule your written exam without your SSN and GC. You have to take the mandatory classes if youve never had a license before though. And if you and hubby live in a one car household (like us!), then maybe you can drive him to work as practice (you gotta fulfill the hour requirements anyway).

Good luck my friend! If hubby does not need the car this Thurs, I can take you to the Columbia SSN office.

[Flames9_RN 358]

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.html download and fill it out just in case! And bring ur passport. Best to get to the SSN office BEFORE it opens,as they tend to be busy places.

[mikey78 6]

Froggie, give it another 2 weeks before you start freakin' out lgg-style

It was a couple of days over a month wait for me and it seems that most people recently got their GC within 4-6 weeks. As for getting SSN in mail after POE, it's like winning a lottery some do but most don't...it's best to go there with your GC...of course pasport with visa & stamp is ok too but on my visit there I saw how this poor lil' lady tried to explain why she doesn't have GC yet and that this is her GC in the meanwhile and the SSN clerk was very, very suspicious of her explaination so the matter landed at the supervisor's lap and then it was all good I assume didn't see the finale because I was done before the supervisor took over.

[Flames9_RN 358]

It is best to wait 10-14 BUSINESS days after entering the USA! Many of us have taken our passport (with the visa in it)to the SSN office and had no problems, thats exactly what I did here in VA. They stated that no application had been received. She was about to send me to fill out a new application, which meant waiting more, but I gave her my already filled out form, showed her my visa and that was it. 1 week later the SSN came in the mail. made out of paper! Wish it was made out of plastic so it could be a bit more durable. I keep mine in the safety deposit box.

[mikey78 6]

if they pass the immigration reform in the proposed version, Social Security card will be plastic with biometric info on it

It is best to wait 10-14 BUSINESS days after entering the USA! Many of us have taken our passport (with the visa in it)to the SSN office and had no problems, thats exactly what I did here in VA. They stated that no application had been received. She was about to send me to fill out a new application, which meant waiting more, but I gave her my already filled out form, showed her my visa and that was it. 1 week later the SSN came in the mail. made out of paper! Wish it was made out of plastic so it could be a bit more durable. I keep mine in the safety deposit box.

[antda 13]

Lgg,

Lol..If it makes you feel any better...

It took me 8 weeks to get my first SSN card...

And 10 months to get my 10yr green card....

(see my VJ timeline for more info..)

So yeah, I can understand about waiting too.....

"Life is an immigration (waiting) game!", as I like to say too.....

Nevertheless, I hope you get your gc and ssn cards soon...

In the meantime, yes, do inquire with the USCIS and SSA, if you do wait too long...

Sometimes they just need a "nudge" to do their job properly...

Ant