POE Tomorrow

[GregBu 1]

My wife flies out from Halifax to Austin, TX tomorrow for her POE (CR-1). It's been a long time coming, so obviously we're ecstatic.

I've read through the guide here and past posts, but just wanted to make sure I'm not missing anything.

She has her passport with the Visa and a letter from the medical appointment. That's basically all she needs right?

She's going to have a short interview (anything she should expect?) and have biometrics done probably (just fingerprints, right?).

When she gets here, next week we can go to the Social Security office and start pestering them for her SSN, right? I know it'll take 2-3 weeks, but my wife is anxious to start working immediately.

Does she need to do anything special to get her Green Card? Or just make sure the forms and addresses are correct?

I just wanted to say that this is probably one of the best communities on the internet and anytime someone mentions immigration, I send them here because you guys are about 1000x better than the "official" sources of information.

[patient2010 93]

Good luck on a smooth POE she doesnt have to do anything special for her greencard they will send her a welcome letter and greencard in about a week to two weeks after her arrival. The SSN is the same as long as she checks the box that says send ssn if not you can go to the ssa and start pestering them if you go that route I would wait two weeks before you start pestering them...Congrats to you guys!!!!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Usually a fairly simple process--ensure she gets there a bit early! Many posts on here on what to do in case the SSN does not arrive after a few weeks. Good luck

[Harsh_77 718]

Its fairly plain and simple, all she needs to have on hand is her passport and the envelope that she got from consulate.

That 2 things are more important over the medical, most of the times they would not even ask for the medical papers.

Once she lands, she goes to the normal line and present her passport they will take the envelope and ask her to wait until officer is available.

Then they will complete the rest of the paper work get her finger prints, and ask her some basic questions when you guys got married etc.

Then they would stamp her passport which makes the CR1 active and let her know it takes anywhere from 4-6 months for her to get the GC, if she does not hear by then call the number.

That’s pretty much it.

[GregBu 1]

Its fairly plain and simple, all she needs to have on hand is her passport and the envelope that she got from consulate.

That 2 things are more important over the medical, most of the times they would not even ask for the medical papers.

Once she lands, she goes to the normal line and present her passport they will take the envelope and ask her to wait until officer is available.

Then they will complete the rest of the paper work get her finger prints, and ask her some basic questions when you guys got married etc.

Then they would stamp her passport which makes the CR1 active and let her know it takes anywhere from 4-6 months for her to get the GC, if she does not hear by then call the number.

That’s pretty much it.

Wow, 4-6 months for her Greencard? Can she work before then? Are her ITIN and the stamp in her passport enough for her to get a job?

Also, since she's flying out of Halifax, are they going to do the POE there? They do the customs part there...

[Flames9_RN 358]

Wow, 4-6 months for her Greencard? Can she work before then? Are her ITIN and the stamp in her passport enough for her to get a job?

Also, since she's flying out of Halifax, are they going to do the POE there? They do the customs part there...

yes she will do her POE in Halifax--thats why she should get their earlier than she would normally. Yes she can work right away as she is on a CR-1 or IR-1. The stamp she has in hger passport acts as her greencard until it arrives in the mail! Not sure on ther present day timeframe, but usually they arrive within 4-6 weeks

[Canadiandggal 49]

Wow, 4-6 months for her Greencard? Can she work before then? Are her ITIN and the stamp in her passport enough for her to get a job?

Also, since she's flying out of Halifax, are they going to do the POE there? They do the customs part there...

Thats not what I was told when i crossed lol I was told up to 12 weeks If it went past 12 weeks then to call. I believe I had mine within 6 weeks and I dont think i have seen many people wait 3-6 months for a green card. She can work once she has her SSN.

[Flames9_RN 358]

One can actually work BEFORE the SSN arrives--many have----what usually happens is the company withholds your pay, until you give them the SSN #. Wait 10-14 BUSINESS days--No SSN--then goto local SSN office and inquire about it. If a # has nort been issued---simply reapply!! Best to download the form prior to going to office (just to speed things up) SSA.gov and bring ur passport and birth cert for ID purposes

ur next question will prob be drivers license,lol and that varies from STATE to STATE! Some simply exchange it, some make u do a written test and some make u do a written and driving test!!!

[GregBu 1]

Thanks for the clarification.

[Sweetcheeksss 91]

Got my green card 3 weeks after POE.

Good luck with everything!

[Married2009 32]

(I think DOT is the same within Texas.) My husband had to have his social security card before he could get his driver's license. After 2 weeks, we went to the local ss office and checked (we took an app already filled out, in case they needed it again - and they did).

Grats on seeing the end of this part of the journey!!

[JeannieL 44]

My wife flies out from Halifax to Austin, TX tomorrow for her POE (CR-1). It's been a long time coming, so obviously we're ecstatic.

I've read through the guide here and past posts, but just wanted to make sure I'm not missing anything.

She has her passport with the Visa and a letter from the medical appointment. That's basically all she needs right?

She's going to have a short interview (anything she should expect?) and have biometrics done probably (just fingerprints, right?).

When she gets here, next week we can go to the Social Security office and start pestering them for her SSN, right? I know it'll take 2-3 weeks, but my wife is anxious to start working immediately.

Does she need to do anything special to get her Green Card? Or just make sure the forms and addresses are correct?

I just wanted to say that this is probably one of the best communities on the internet and anytime someone mentions immigration, I send them here because you guys are about 1000x better than the "official" sources of information.

I will be doing my POE at Halifax airport in May....Please let me know how it goes for her. Thanks!!!