Help with SSN

[Rac2012 0]

Hi everyone,

It's been 21 days since I've arrived to the US with a CR1 VISA. I checked the box in the DS-230 for a SSN, but nothing has come yet. I was told by a worker at the SSA that I had to wait 21 days from POE in order to apply in case it hadn't arrived. However, today I went again, and I was told to wait another 2 weeks. The woman told me that the number hasn't been issued yet.

It's extremely frustrating because I can not apply for jobs, I can not get my license (and in California you can not drive with a foreign license after 10 days).. I am basically STUCK due to bureaucratic matters. In fact, I have no idea if they know what they are telling me. First 21 days, now 2 extra weeks.. then what?

I would appreciate any advice..

Thank you all!!

[amykathleen2005 441]

You probably can start applying for jobs, I don't think you'll get hired the exact second you start applying. You only need the SSN when you are hired in many cases.

[Amanda&Elvio 12]

My husband checked the box on the DS-230 too but a month after we got to the US his SSN still had not arrived. So we went to the local office and they were able to tell us that he was not even in the system. They should at least be able to tell you that much. After we applied at the local office the card came in one week. Good luck!

[Ban Hammer 13,520]

one post removed for personal attack. one post removed for quoting that personal attack.

post quoting returned below minus the quote.

You don't need a social security number to apply for a job. Fact. Go on Craigslist, go in person, email out resumes. A good majority don't need one if you just have to submit a resume. Your complaint was that you could not apply for jobs. I simply suggested that you actually could while you wait. You asked for "any advice". No need to be rude.

while one may not like the advice offered, that does not give one the right to violate the site's terms of service and make personal attacks. doing so again will result in admin action.

[Rac2012 0]

Thanks so much for your reply Amanda. In fact, I tried to do that. However, they told me to keep waiting.. I do not really understand why because in their website they tell you to go to the nearest office if you do not get it within 21 days..

amykathleen2005, sorry if my answer sounded rude.. I am just extremely frustrated getting all these different answers from the social security people, and I might have interpreted you answer incorrectly.

Edited July 3, 2012 by Rac2012

[Ryan H 3,834]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Moving Here & Your New Life In America forum; topic is not about the spousal visa process itself.

[Amanda&Elvio 12]

Thanks so much for your reply Amanda. In fact, I tried to do that. However, they told me to keep waiting.. I do not really understand why because in their website they tell you to go to the nearest office if you do not get it within 21 days..

Yeah they're website and their actual people are very inconsistent. When we went we took my husband's birth certificate instead of his passport because that's what the website told us to bring. After waiting for over an hour we got up to the counter and they said they couldn't accept the birth certificate as a form of ID. So frustrating! Anyway, my advise to you would be to go back when it's been 30 days since you arrived in the US and try again to get the card. Don't wait another 2 weeks. I hope you can get it soon, I know how frustrating this is!

[snapdragon 9]

I know how you feel - I have been here three weeks and while I've received my Green Card, gotten a bank account and really want to hit the ground running, the DMV wouldn't accept my SSC with my maiden name (even when presented with a marriage certificate and my husband in person), and the woman at the SSA didn't seem to know what she was doing. I'm waiting on my new SSC and I'm frustrated. I'm sorry that doesn't help, but I know how you feel.

[Rac2012 0]

I know how you feel - I have been here three weeks and while I've received my Green Card, gotten a bank account and really want to hit the ground running, the DMV wouldn't accept my SSC with my maiden name (even when presented with a marriage certificate and my husband in person), and the woman at the SSA didn't seem to know what she was doing. I'm waiting on my new SSC and I'm frustrated. I'm sorry that doesn't help, but I know how you feel.

Hi there,

I agree, not being able to drive is extremely frustrating. Even more here in Los Angeles that there's no public transportation.. I am also sad for my wife, she has to drive me everywhere.. However, I just printed everything out from their website the page where they state that we should go after 21 days.. Maybe if they are able to see that, they would do something about it..

Hope you get it soon as well!

[Rac2012 0]

I went there again today, and luckily I talked to someone that actually knew her job.. I gave her all my documentation (green card, passport), and of course she started processing my SSN because I didn't get one in 21 days..

So if someone went through the same issue, ask to talk to a supervisor because that it's what they should do..

Hope this helps someone else..

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

*** Moving from Moving Here to new SSN forum ****