Ordering an SSN immediately after POE

[The Humanists 10]

I have my CR-1 visa now, and I'm planning to fly to SF next week. My husband and I will book a flight this weekend. I would like to start looking for a job immediately. Based on what I've read here, I don't have to wait for my green card because the I-551 stamp they'll put on my passport will serve as a temporary green card. I will, however, need an SSN to apply for a job. What I'm planning to do is go to an SSA office as soon as possible so I can order an SSN myself and not have to wait for USCIS to do it for me. Can I order an SSN a couple of days after POE, even though on the DS-230, I checked the box to let DHS/USCIS get the SSN for me?

Edited January 12, 2012 by The Humanists

[bigdog 376]

Do it yourself. If you go with the forms they will look you up.

Edited January 12, 2012 by bigdog

[KLS2010 30]

I've heard and read conflicting stories about how long you need to wait before you can go into an SSA office and apply for a SSN. Some people have been able to apply just a few days after POE, some people recommend waiting two weeks so that the database has been updated and they can find the immigrant.

Only way to know for sure is to go in and try.

Oh, and about ticking 'yes' on the form for them to automatically assign a number for you - I wouldn't rely on that happening anyway. I ticked 'yes' and decided to wait and see how long it would take them. I waited a month and gave up! When I went in to the SSA office myself, they had no record of any application made on my behalf. No problem though - filled out an application there and then and had the card within a week or so.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

I have my CR-1 visa now, and I'm planning to fly to SF next week. My husband and I will book a flight this weekend. I would like to start looking for a job immediately. Based on what I've read here, I don't have to wait for my green card because the I-551 stamp they'll put on my passport will serve as a temporary green card. I will, however, need an SSN to apply for a job. What I'm planning to do is go to an SSA office as soon as possible so I can order an SSN myself and not have to wait for USCIS to do it for me. Can I order an SSN a couple of days after POE, even though on the DS-230, I checked the box to let DHS/USCIS get the SSN for me?

They seem to be getting them out pretty quickly lately.. My wife ticked "yes" for the SSC to be sent automatically and had it in hand 11 days after POE....

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

I have my CR-1 visa now, and I'm planning to fly to SF next week. My husband and I will book a flight this weekend. I would like to start looking for a job immediately. Based on what I've read here, I don't have to wait for my green card because the I-551 stamp they'll put on my passport will serve as a temporary green card. I will, however, need an SSN to apply for a job. What I'm planning to do is go to an SSA office as soon as possible so I can order an SSN myself and not have to wait for USCIS to do it for me. Can I order an SSN a couple of days after POE, even though on the DS-230, I checked the box to let DHS/USCIS get the SSN for me?

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/336072-how-long-did-you-take-off-from-work-when-your-loved-one-arrived/page__st__30 <--- this here

Get it now. Take your passport with stamp, etc... and get on down to the SS office.

[Darnell 8,478]

well, i wouldn't be so swift to chase after 'immediately' after POE,

as

your record of entry has to wind it's way from CBP into the SAVE database.

When you get into a SSA office, the clerk has to LOOK you up in the SAVE database, see if'n yer eligible to apply.

To the best of my knowledge, SAVE database updates occur in batch mode, every few days - nothing immediate.

So - can you wait a week? two weeks? The best time frame, so far, seems to be 2 weeks + 1 day. That's given the SAVE database operation time to catch up with yer POE fact.

Then, go into the SSA office, ask the clerk to look you up in the SAVE database by A# and VISA name, both. If clerk can't find you by both, they'll send you off into a black hole, some silly ####### entitled 'Waiting USCIS authorization', which takes a month to complete. Don't go forth with yer application, if that's the case - WITHDRAW yer application immediately, then go find the nearest CBP secondary inspection / deferred inspection office, see the SHIFT SUPERVISOR, and show your passport , ask for the correction to be done in the SAVE database in real time (and don't leave till they have finished it)

then

get into the SSA office about 3 days later, apply for SSN again.

Ain't no immediacy on this, alas.. Them databases are never updated in real time.

Good Luck ! [print this out, take it with you into SSA office, just to certain of the terms I used]

[NotworkSte 19]

I ticked the box to have them automatically process mine, and it did not work. I got mine just in time, 3 months after, when I was about to start first job. It was close run thing, I ended up manually applying for it. I got fobbed off for weeks that I couldn't apply manually since I had ticked the box so I had to wait for SAVE to be updated.

This actually was the single most annoying, frustrating part of my immigration. Everything else went smoothly.

[Onggoy Diyos 8]

I have my CR-1 visa now, and I'm planning to fly to SF next week. My husband and I will book a flight this weekend. I would like to start looking for a job immediately. Based on what I've read here, I don't have to wait for my green card because the I-551 stamp they'll put on my passport will serve as a temporary green card. I will, however, need an SSN to apply for a job. What I'm planning to do is go to an SSA office as soon as possible so I can order an SSN myself and not have to wait for USCIS to do it for me. Can I order an SSN a couple of days after POE, even though on the DS-230, I checked the box to let DHS/USCIS get the SSN for me?

I think it would not be wise to request a SSN twice.

They sent us the card in 5 days. And our POE was the infamously "slower" Guam.

Curious why you want to go through the stress of job-hunting after all the immigration stuff, plane travel, new country, etc.? Why not enjoy America for a bit?

As for the passport sticker? That will not be accepted anywhere. Also, be careful not to show that to people. We were in America 9 months. Every time my wife used her passport, the person said "Your visa is expired! You're not allowed to be here!" They should really update one's visa after arrival. Kinda dumb to say you can be here 10 years, but you only get a 6month visa...