Quick question about Social security #

[Amandaman 1]

My husband just got interviewed for a CR1 around a week ago and we got AP , I hope he gets his visa soon. I'm just trying to collect information about when to apply for a social security number for him after he arrive to the US? Can it be on the very next day? do we have to apply for one for him at the SS office or they will send it to him with the green card? is there anything we need to do once he arrives?

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

**** Moving from MENA to SSN forum ****

If you ticked the box on the paperwork, his SSN should arrive in the mail within a few weeks. If you want it quicker, wait about 10 days after POE, then go to your local Social Security office and they can issue one.

[why not1 5]

Even if you marked the box for his SS card, you could wait for a long time. I waited for two months. Then I went to the local office. He was not even in the system. So we filled out a form, showed his passport and greencard. That was on a thursday, the next monday he had his SS card. I would not wait on immigration to do anything like that when it is easier for you to do it.

[Amandaman 1]

So you're saying, once I arrive I should go apply for SS at their office or what?

[why not1 5]

I would apply as soon as you get your greencard. Most local offices need two picture ID. But each office can be different. So check with them.

[Amber & Ahmed 133]

Hello.

Ahmed came for the first time in November of 2011. We went to the social security office after 1 week. He took his passport with the visa in it and his international drivers license. We applied. The funny thing is we had checked the box on the DS-230 form, yet SS had no info in their system showing an application for a number. So I would say go ahead and go to the SS office and apply yourselves, based upon our experience. About one week later he got his SS card in the mail. Around 3 weeks after port of entry his greencard arrived. Which worked out great since he got it in time for his return flight. Ahmed only stayed one month then he had to return to Egypt to wrap up his work at his job.

During the month of November we spent time exploring his soon to be new hometown. I showed him Walmart as well as thrift stores, which became one of our new hobbies. Also I took him to meet family and friends. Of course we didn't worry about looking for work due to him going back.

Once he arrived back we got busy applying for jobs and buying cars, getting insurance, opening accounts with banks, moving across country. Getting a cellphone. I had already purchased adapters for his electronics from Egypt.

Maybe some of what I said could help you.

I would advise, based on our experience: applying for SS card, applying for jobs, open a bank account. If he does not have an international drivers license go get a booklet and start learning that. Also taking time to learn how will he get around until he can drive himself.

Taking him to meet family and friends. Looking for a community of Arabic speaking people. Ahmed has met so many people since being here in Tampa. Also finding a mosque.

Look at grocery stores to find things similar to his foods at home. Go to fresh markets. Try new foods also. Go at a pace that is comfortable to him would be a good idea in my opinion.

Get him a cellphone. Make sure he has internet connection in order to help him keep in contact with his family and friends.

Take time to take him to Walmart and other stores that are not offered in Egypt. My husband was fasinated by Walmart and the fact he could find so much variety of just about anything he could think of.

Oh and most important, if your husband needs to brush up and/or learn more English you could help him by speaking words he may not have come in contact with. If there is a school near you, maybe even enroll in classes? I have seen numerous women say their husbands have benefitted from that.

Come up with a solid plan on rather he will work, go to school, or work and school. If your husband has a degree I would advise getting the degree evaluated to see if it is equivelant to American degrees.

Creating a really good rock solid resume is instrumental in getting the type of work he wants. Try looking for work thru every avenue you can think of: online job sites, employment agencies, newspaper, company websites, word of mouth.

Ahmed and I worked hard to get the type of job he desired and while most suggest this cannot be done, I tell you it can be done.

Those are the things I can think of to help you both when he arrives in the States. I am sure others will come along and help you further.

As I said before I wish your husband a fast AP.

Amber

[Kathryn41 3,205]

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[Amber & Ahmed 133]

duplicate post removed

Thank you Kathryn! BTW... Love your signature! Fluffy Kitty Posse, that's great!

[together4evr 360]

I added waleed to my verizon cell phone bill and a got him a credit card in his name on my account when he was still in egypt.

So when he came, we waited 5 days and went to SS office. Good thing cause the DOS or someone messed up his name. So we were able to put all 34 letters and spaces of his 4 names onto his ssn. if we had waited for the ds-230 form to send it to us, it may not have shown up and it may have been wrong.

So, with the verizon bill and envelop in hand and his credit card as ID. We went to the drivers license bureau and got him an Illinois ID card.

Which we took along with other things to the ssn office.

He got his card within days.Added his ssn to credit cards.

On his 2nd day in usa I put him on my checking accounts using his passport. Then when the ssn came he had to take that to them

Then a couple weeks later he got his drivers license

His credit score was 750 by his 3rd month in the usa. Which makes background checks much easier if they have a paper trail to follow the ssn

Do not wait for them to send the ssn. On day 5 take him to the ssn and apply. and do not say you checked ssn on the ds-230.... just be quiet about it all and act dumb.

[Sarah & Bahry 0]

You can apply for social security as soon as you arrive to the United States. My husband applied for a social security card 5 days after his arrival and he recieved it after a week, they dont need proof of greencard just visa and your identification, you will fill out a form, they ask you a few simple questions. As for the greencard after we paid, we recieved it a month later.

Edited April 7, 2013 by Sarah & Bahry