POE ???

[Coops 0]

Hi everybody,

So my POE is coming up on Wednesday and of course I am extremely excited.

But I do have a few questions. So my POE is Charlotte NC, and I have no idea what to expect

How long does it take to get through on average?

What questions will they ask me?

Just information on the whole process

In my carry on is a big blue folder which has every bit of documentation from the I30 to relationship proof to my tax forms and of course the sealed envelope from the embassy so I know documents wise I am ready, I just want to know what to expect

Also how long does it take to get a SS number and how do i go about it?

(I have an interview a week after i get there)

Many thanks

Sam & Sara

Edited November 18, 2012 by Coops

[Ryan H 3,834]

POE reviews can be found here: http://www.visajourney.com/reviews/poereviews.php

Select Charlotte from the drop down menu to see the reviews (if any) about that specific POE.

[Victoria G 1]

I entered on a K1 visa, in Atlanta GA but I imagine it'd be similar.

Okay, so I stood in line for a long time only to be told I was in the wrong line and they moved me to a different line, where I was told again I was in the wrong line! They then had someone escort me to a room where there were 2 men sitting at a desk and a waiting area for other people with visas.

They asked for all my paperwork and for me to make sure my I-94 was completely filled out, so I gave them the sealed pack, my passport and then they told me to sit down.

They called me back up after review and just asked me a few questions like:

How long have you known him? What does he do for a living? Do you have any children together? When do you plan to get married? Where is your final destination in the United States? etc. Just basic questions really, and not many of them.

They finally took me out of the room and put me back in the very first line I was in! When I got to the front of the line, the guy asked if I had any evidence of relationship, and I showed him some photos and email conversations. He then got out his walkie thing and told 2 other guys to come over and look at my visa. He said they would be "fascinated" by it, cause they don't see a lot of visas. Ha!

Anyway, they were very friendly, and I packed up all my stuff back into my hand luggage and was on my way. The process took about an hour give or take to get all the way through (and that's including all the queueing(mainly in the wrong lines)! So the process itself shouldn't take too long)

Congratulations on your visa process thus far, and best of luck to you on your new life in the States!

Victoria

[Victoria G 1]

As for getting a social, you just go to your local office, tell them you're here on a visa and then wait 'til your number is called.

that's eveything you need to bring with you:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

Mine took 13 days to arrive from the day I applied.

[makeitmine 0]

dont worry about POE its would be walk in the park for you. Questions asked are all about things that you already knew. Just a reminder that the documents returned by the US Embassy "dont open" them..hand-over the docs to POE border guards

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Also how long does it take to get a SS number and how do i go about it?

(I have an interview a week after i get there)

Many thanks

Sam & Sara

The detail Victoria posted to you is for a K1. Your SS card is supposed to come in the mail about 2-3 weeks after your POE, as well as your greencard. You requested it on your DS-230, Part 2. Sometimes they don't come and you may have to go to the SS office and give it a little nudge.

When you go through POE, they will stamp your passport with an I-551 stamp that serves as your greencard until the actual card arrives in the mail. You can show that stamp for purposes of working, getting a drivers license, etc. You can be legally hired with that stamp and give the employer your SS number as soon as it arrives. The SSN doesn't authorize you to work. It gives the employer the number to report your earnings to for income tax, social security benefits, Medicare, etc. Many employers will wait on the SSN while it is processing, but you may not get paid until they have a number for reporting your wages.

[Coops 0]

Thanks for all the responses, Really good info.

POE tomorrow. I am very nervous and excited