What now?

[ttp 0]

Can someone point me in the right direction? I've filed a CR1 visa, and my wife arrives in a few weeks. My question is what should I do now as far as paperwork? Do I just wait for a SSN and Green Card, or do I have more papers to do? I can't make her my beneficiary for life/health insurance because she doesn't have a SSN yet.

Sorry, but I've been busy with my new job and don't have the time I used to have to research things like this.

[lambchop4life 6]

you do nothing really until she stateside. Once she is here, get an ID its beat carrying that passport around. Start going to ESL classes. Learner Permit and driver licenses. Add her to your bank account, and any policy you think is important, Prepare the paper work to lift condition residency.

I don't think there is really much else to do.

[ttp 0]

So are they just going to send her Social Security Card and Green Card in the mail? How long does it usually take? I'm mostly worried about taking care of this health insurance thing, and for that she must have a SSN.

Thanks.

[lindal24 1]

For my husband (he came in Oct 09) they automatically sent the Green Card and SSN (but for SSN, I selected that they automatically send it to us in the I-130 petition).

For insurance, he came here towards the end of the year before we had open enrollment, so he didn't have insurance for about 3 months I guess. It was kind of risky, but he didn't get sick, so we lucked out! I tried the whole arguement that it was a life chaning event (newly immigrated which is kinda like a new marriage) but they wouldn't go for it so we had to wait!

He got his SSN & Green Card within 1 month...

Edited August 23, 2010 by lindal24

[What's next 1]

most companies normally have open enroll ment for health ins in the fall. so your wife and her ssn may make it on time. if not, just fill out the forms and leave her ssn blank. they will contact you about it and just procrastinate until you get the ssn. or just talk to your hr people, they are the ones that make that decision, not the ins company.

As far as adding your wife as the beneficiary to your life ins policy, you can do that at anytime. I don't think there are too many restrictions there.

[hieumin 2]

most companies normally have open enroll ment for health ins in the fall. so your wife and her ssn may make it on time. if not, just fill out the forms and leave her ssn blank. they will contact you about it and just procrastinate until you get the ssn. or just talk to your hr people, they are the ones that make that decision, not the ins company.

As far as adding your wife as the beneficiary to your life ins policy, you can do that at anytime. I don't think there are too many restrictions there.

3 weeks after she have arrived at POE, apply her SS# at local SS office near you. Don't wait for SS to send home even you have checked/told on I130. Most won't get SS# through I130 checked method.

[What's next 1]

you can just tell her to hurry up and come here and avoid the issue.

[ttp 0]

Thanks guys. The ticket's already bought and she comes over mid-September. My open enrollment is in November, so that's not too big a deal.

So it's better to apply for the SSN in person than to wait for it in the mail? What do you need to apply? I'll probably look into that.

[lindal24 1]

I didn't have any problems with the SSA sending us his card. It took a little over two weeks for the SSN card to actually come in...

[hniHnitsuJ 8]

Thanks guys. The ticket's already bought and she comes over mid-September. My open enrollment is in November, so that's not too big a deal.

So it's better to apply for the SSN in person than to wait for it in the mail? What do you need to apply? I'll probably look into that.

Look at my timeline, and other. SSN took less than 2 weeks, and GC is about 1 month. Do nothing like other have mention. If you have time drive your wife around the town, or visiting your family.

Congrats....

[KenN 0]

My wife came on July 7, after 4 weeks waiting for her SSN arrive (checked to receive SSN automatically), there was nothing until I made a call to ask about that. They said, they didn't receive anything, then tell us to come to SSA to apply my wife's SSN. My suggest is "not to wait for your SSN to send home, should apply it when you could" (We are still waiting for GC, hopefully will receive it soon - just got NOA2 for OS155A) :-)