Can I start working before the green card is actually delivered to my house?

[tswielder 0]

Hi, everyone.

I guess this question is for those who have gone through what I'm going through. I'm in my home country right now, and I got done with the interview, which I cleared without a problem. They gave me necessary documents to enter U.S. Now, on their cover sheet, it says that they are going to mail my green card to my U.S. address "2 to 3 months after you enter the country." I understand that they need time to process my green card, so that's cool. But, I'd like to know if I can go ahead and start working because I'm entering the country as a permanent resident. Or, would I need to wait for the card to be physically in my hand? Just FYI, I already have SSN as I've previous worked in U.S. before. If anyone knows the answer, please let me know.

Thank you,

[kzielu 1,149]

You can start working immediately after entry.

[Sukie 1,465]

Hi, everyone.

I guess this question is for those who have gone through what I'm going through. I'm in my home country right now, and I got done with the interview, which I cleared without a problem. They gave me necessary documents to enter U.S. Now, on their cover sheet, it says that they are going to mail my green card to my U.S. address "2 to 3 months after you enter the country." I understand that they need time to process my green card, so that's cool. But, I'd like to know if I can go ahead and start working because I'm entering the country as a permanent resident. Or, would I need to wait for the card to be physically in my hand? Just FYI, I already have SSN as I've previous worked in U.S. before. If anyone knows the answer, please let me know.

Thank you,

You are cleared to work. If you need to PROVE you have the right to work before your physical green card gets to you, then show the visa "foil" (the page in your passport) AND the stamp in your passport from your POE. This stamp should be on the page facing your visa foil. Those two things together, and your SSN, are your legal right to work in the US.

Sukie in NY

[Sunnymrut 3]

Congrats on your successful interview!

I am not sure but I have heard those who haven't received their greens yet, get paid half the price of which they actually supposed to.

Is there someone who is aware of such a thing?

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Congrats on your successful interview!

I am not sure but I have heard those who haven't received their greens yet, get paid half the price of which they actually supposed to.

Is there someone who is aware of such a thing?

Yet another green card urban legend. I've not heard this one before!

Of course not. People who get paid half of what they should would be those who don't have a green card because they're illegal....

[Sunnymrut 3]

Yet another green card urban legend. I've not heard this one before!

Of course not. People who get paid half of what they should would be those who don't have a green card because they're illegal....

Then probably the ones that I know were cheated. ??????????

Is it possible?

Edited September 14, 2014 by Sunnymrut

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Then probably the ones that I know were cheated. ??????????

Is it possible?

Sadly, of course it's possible. Why in earth would someone be allowed to pay a person less because they don't have their card - their card is just *proof* of status not the status itself and they should have had other proof of that eg the stamped immigrant visa. Don't know enough about the ins and outs but if they were paid less than minimum wage on false pretenses they should be able to report the employer. If they were paid above minimum but agreed to work for those wages not sure what they can do.

[mcuzin1985 13]

Congrats on your successful interview!

I am not sure but I have heard those who haven't received their greens yet, get paid half the price of which they actually supposed to.

Is there someone who is aware of such a thing?

Please stop posting false information.

[MUXAGIRL 69]

Yes you can work. I made POE two days ago and asked the immigration officer same question, he said yes, just show the immigrant visa on the passport and the stamp, if the need arises.

[Sunnymrut 3]

Please stop posting false information.

I am not posting false information. I said, I am not sure, but I have heard

[Sunnymrut 3]

Sadly, of course it's possible. Why in earth would someone be allowed to pay a person less because they don't have their card - their card is just *proof* of status not the status itself and they should have had other proof of that eg the stamped immigrant visa. Don't know enough about the ins and outs but if they were paid less than minimum wage on false pretenses they should be able to report the employer. If they were paid above minimum but agreed to work for those wages not sure what they can do.

I don't know about the min/max rates, but he was getting paid $5 hourly instead of $10 in Los Angeles, until he got his green card.

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

I don't know about the min/max rates, but he was getting paid $5 hourly instead of $10 in Los Angeles, until he got his green card.

First you said you're not sure, you think you heard, now you have exact numbers... Whatever, the rationale is nonsense. If the story is true your friend got taken advantage of, I'm guessing however he didn't read the guide for new immigrants on the DoS website because I'm sure it explains these things.

[Bandar 0]

What about driving licence can I get one before getting my green card? Can I use my driving licence from my country?

[NikLR 13,232]

I don't know about the min/max rates, but he was getting paid $5 hourly instead of $10 in Los Angeles, until he got his green card.

Probably he was working illegally under the table without an EAD or LPR status. OR the employer was a jerk.

[Sunnymrut 3]

First you said you're not sure, you think you heard, now you have exact numbers... Whatever, the rationale is nonsense. If the story is true your friend got taken advantage of, I'm guessing however he didn't read the guide for new immigrants on the DoS website because I'm sure it explains these things.

Could you please send me the link for the guide??