What should I do?

[EmilyS 11]

Hi folks,

I POEd 11 days ago, and I know I can give it another week before worrying about my SSN and green card, but here is the issue. Called USCIS to ask about my green card production and they were not able to pull me up on their system, told me to make an infopass appointment. Since I have a job offer, I decided to go in to. SS administration office and see if they could tell me whether or not they have anything on the system for me, and they didn't. She said she doesn't see anything and that I should apply for it, but couldn't do it because I didn't have my BC on me and she said she needed it, although they told me they only need to see my passport on the phone. What should I do? Continue waiting for it and hoping it shows up? Or go back in and apply in person? Plz enlighten me

[Inky 1,110]

Hi folks,

I POEd 11 days ago, and I know I can give it another week before worrying about my SSN and green card, but here is the issue. Called USCIS to ask about my green card production and they were not able to pull me up on their system, told me to make an infopass appointment. Since I have a job offer, I decided to go in to. SS administration office and see if they could tell me whether or not they have anything on the system for me, and they didn't. She said she doesn't see anything and that I should apply for it, but couldn't do it because I didn't have my BC on me and she said she needed it, although they told me they only need to see my passport on the phone. What should I do? Continue waiting for it and hoping it shows up? Or go back in and apply in person? Plz enlighten me

Did you pay the green card production $165 fee before you left for the USA?

If not you need to pay that before they will produce a green card.

If you have, well you just have to wait sadly. The stamp in your passport should be good enough for the job for now.

I would go ahead and apply for the SSN at the SS office to try and speed up the process for that because no ssn means no job.

[EmilyS 11]

Did you pay the green card production $165 fee before you left for the USA?

If not you need to pay that before they will produce a green card.

If you have, well you just have to wait sadly. The stamp in your passport should be good enough for the job for now.

I would go ahead and apply for the SSN at the SS office to try and speed up the process for that because no ssn means no job.

Yes, I paid the fee before I left Canada. So you mean if I show my passport with the visa I should be ok for the job? They need to conduct a background check, can they do it without a SSN?

Ughhh only when I thought this waiting game is over

[The Getty 2]

Yes, I paid the fee before I left Canada. So you mean if I show my passport with the visa I should be ok for the job? They need to conduct a background check, can they do it without a SSN?

Ughhh only when I thought this waiting game is over

Do you mean a criminal background check? I'm not entirely sure, but they may be able to do that without an SSN. But as Inky stated, you will need an SSN to work.

As well, all employers must, by law, complete an I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification to verify both identity and employment authorization on all new employees (both citizen and noncitizen) hired after November 6, 1986. This is the link to view the form, instructions, and what documents are acceptable

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf

You do not need an SSN for this form to be completed (instructions say it is voluntary to provide it) UNLESS your potential employer uses the E-Verify system, in which case an SSN IS required.

As for getting an SSN, you may want to read this

http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/

It lists what can be used to get a SSN.

[Ms Hogan 295]

Emily, I think the delay is just between the POE submitting your paperwork and office it goes to. I think the SSN office processes it very quickly once they receive it. If I remember correctly, you did your POE at Pearson? If so, I wonder if it would take longer for them to send paperwork out since it wasn't actually IN the States but in Canada at that point. I'm just taking guesses.

The passport stamp is proof you are eligible to work. Can the employer hold off on SSN arriving? Even if you apply tomorrow you won't get it immediately.

[EmilyS 11]

Emily, I think the delay is just between the POE submitting your paperwork and office it goes to. I think the SSN office processes it very quickly once they receive it. If I remember correctly, you did your POE at Pearson? If so, I wonder if it would take longer for them to send paperwork out since it wasn't actually IN the States but in Canada at that point. I'm just taking guesses.

The passport stamp is proof you are eligible to work. Can the employer hold off on SSN arriving? Even if you apply tomorrow you won't get it immediately.

I kind of freaked out when she said she doesn't see anything in the system, and I'm not sure whether or not I should go in and apply in person...if I do go in and apply, will they cancel the one that's already in process? (assuming it is) plus, it was really weird that USCIS wasn't able to pull me up on their system

[Ms Hogan 295]

I kind of freaked out when she said she doesn't see anything in the system, and I'm not sure whether or not I should go in and apply in person...if I do go in and apply, will they cancel the one that's already in process? (assuming it is) plus, it was really weird that USCIS wasn't able to pull me up on their system

USCIS could not pull me up either. There was nothing there to be seen until the payment for the Immigration Fee was officially in the system at which point they sent another NOA type form (I forget the number 797? was that it?) with a brand new receipt number. It was not tied at all to the original receipt number I had from our I-130s.

So based on my experience and yours, it appears that it is just normal for it to be that way. My SSN came the same day we received the receipt for the Immi fee payment. I still say give it a couple more days. If you didn't have this job opportunity you'd be content to wait. Can you tell the job offer folks that your SSN is on the way... which is technicaally the truth? Give it a few more days and then just explain that it was delayed. If you are their perfect fit for the position I'm sure they can give you a few days for the SSN to arrive.

[EmilyS 11]

USCIS could not pull me up either. There was nothing there to be seen until the payment for the Immigration Fee was officially in the system at which point they sent another NOA type form (I forget the number 797? was that it?) with a brand new receipt number. It was not tied at all to the original receipt number I had from our I-130s.

So based on my experience and yours, it appears that it is just normal for it to be that way. My SSN came the same day we received the receipt for the Immi fee payment. I still say give it a couple more days. If you didn't have this job opportunity you'd be content to wait. Can you tell the job offer folks that your SSN is on the way... which is technicaally the truth? Give it a few more days and then just explain that it was delayed. If you are their perfect fit for the position I'm sure they can give you a few days for the SSN to arrive.

what you say makes total sense, maybe Toronto didn't send my paperwork right away, and since it was in Canada, it would obviously take some time to get there! but why would SS not have any record of me on their system? wouldn't they see it on their system if it was in process?

You're right, I would have waited a little longer if I didn't have this job offer. When do you think I should go in to apply? maybe Monday or Tuesday? Ughhhh I can't decide, I totally hate this!