Arrived in USA,, Whats next??

[Lifehastomoveon 37]

I landed in USA a week ago. POE was smooth. Still waiting for SSN and GC.

Does the SSN comes on its own or Should I go to SSA and apply for one?

Could I start looking for job without SSN or should I wait for SSN? Are there any resources available for help with resume creation and searching for job?

What are other activities I can do in the time between POE and SSN?

I started reading the drivers handbook and when can I start learning driving and apply for drivers license?

Would I be able to apply for a joint bank account and credit card without SSN?

In India We have various forms of IDs(Aadhar card, Voter Id, Pan card, Ration card, etc..) likewise, Are there any forms of ID cards in US and If so, Do I need to apply for those?

Thanks bunches.

[Karee 4,191]

  On 9/14/2014 at 5:55 PM, CresentMoon said:

I landed in USA a week ago. POE was smooth. Still waiting for SSN and GC.

Does the SSN comes on its own or Should I go to SSA and apply for one?

Could I start looking for job without SSN or should I wait for SSN? Are there any resources available for help with resume creation and searching for job?

What are other activities I can do in the time between POE and SSN?

I started reading the drivers handbook and when can I start learning driving and apply for drivers license?

Would I be able to apply for a joint bank account and credit card without SSN?

In India We have various forms of IDs(Aadhar card, Voter Id, Pan card, Ration card, etc..) likewise, Are there any forms of ID cards in US and If so, Do I need to apply for those?

Thanks bunches.

I know on the DS-230 (The paper version of the DS-260) there's a box you check concerning the Social Security card. My wife checked this box, and received the SS card about 2 weeks after arrival in the U.S. It actually came before the green card. The green card came 4 weeks after arrival.

You can look for work , and technically you're work eligible based on the I-551 endorsement on the visa in your passport. That endorsement serves as a temporary green card until you get the actual green card in the mail. That said, a lot of employers probably don't know that, so might be best to wait on the actual green card.

The same thing with the license. Your technically eligible for it, but the DMV may look at the visa and endorsement and not know what it is.

I was able to add my wife to my BoA checking account without her having the SS# or card. Applying for one on your own might be more difficult.

You can apply for the state ID card the same place you apply for the driver's license. They look almost identical (In Texas anyway)

In my opinion, I'd just wait until you have both the SS card and the green card. That will avoid any confusion about your status. You should have them both within three weeks.

[NikLR 13,232]

~~moved to moving here and your new life from IR1/CR1 process and procedures~~

Only about 10% of the people get an SSN from checking the box on the DS-260 so wait 2-3 weeks and if the SSN has not arrived, go to an SSA office and apply for one.

Have you paid the immigrant fee for the green card production?

As per your DL, this variable by state. You have your temporary green card, but most states require you to have an SSN and proof of address too. You can get an ID card first if you choose but generally you have either a state ID card or DL as they do the same thing.

[bkghosh 121]

  On 9/14/2014 at 6:50 PM, NLR said:

As per your DL, this variable by state. You have your temporary green card, but most states require you to have an SSN and proof of address too. You can get an ID card first if you choose but generally you have either a state ID card or DL as they do the same thing.

In California, the DMV refused to issue the State ID, as she was SS eligible (but did not have the card issued yet). After she got the SS card in the mail (in about 8 days after POE), we went back to DMV and the State ID application was accepted. The actual card took another 6 weeks or so to arrive in the mail.

To open a bank account in her name they needed a current address proof. So we had to wait until she got her actual State ID card in the mail. So now she has a bank account opened in her name.

Now she is job hunting... :)

Edited September 15, 2014 by bkghosh

[bkghosh 121]

  On 9/14/2014 at 5:55 PM, CresentMoon said:

I landed in USA a week ago. POE was smooth. Still waiting for SSN and GC.

Does the SSN comes on its own or Should I go to SSA and apply for one?

Could I start looking for job without SSN or should I wait for SSN? Are there any resources available for help with resume creation and searching for job?

What are other activities I can do in the time between POE and SSN?

I started reading the drivers handbook and when can I start learning driving and apply for drivers license?

Would I be able to apply for a joint bank account and credit card without SSN?

In India We have various forms of IDs(Aadhar card, Voter Id, Pan card, Ration card, etc..) likewise, Are there any forms of ID cards in US and If so, Do I need to apply for those?

Thanks bunches.

My wife got the SS card in 8 days after POE. However, others had to go to the local SS office to get it issued. I would wait for about 8 weeks after POE, and then go to the local SS office.

You asked, what other activities can be done between POE and SSN. You can start going through the DL handbook and prepare for DL written exam. Although, you can not take the exam until you have the SS # in your hand.

You can of course start looking for a job. But before anyone can hire you they will need to have your SS #. No one actually asked my wife to show the actual SS card, though.Also, employers will also ask for your visa status.

Bank accounts require at least two forms of ID and SS#:

Personal Identification - Indian passport is good here.

Address Proof - Need a State issued ID showing current address (or DL showing address).

We are having a tough time opening a CC only in my wife's name. Her credit score is probably exactly 'zero' now. Although she has couple of CC from India, but that does not help at all here. So we have two choices. Adding her to my CC account. Or try for a pre-paid credit card in her name.

[Mrs O. 29]

  On 9/14/2014 at 5:55 PM, CresentMoon said:

I landed in USA a week ago. POE was smooth. Still waiting for SSN and GC.

Does the SSN comes on its own or Should I go to SSA and apply for one? I went to SSA to apply for one although I did check that box on the application

Could I start looking for job without SSN or should I wait for SSN? You can start looking a hjob right away, the stamp in your passport is enough to show your elegibility to work for now

Are there any resources available for help with resume creation and searching for job? Depends on your line of work, I guess but you can start searching on monster.come, indeed.com

What are other activities I can do in the time between POE and SSN? Chill! before joining the rat race

I started reading the drivers handbook and when can I start learning driving and apply for drivers license? I needed my SSN to apply for the test, so, continue studying for now

Would I be able to apply for a joint bank account and credit card without SSN? Cant remember whether I was able to do either of these without SSN

In India We have various forms of IDs(Aadhar card, Voter Id, Pan card, Ration card, etc..) likewise, Are there any forms of ID cards in US and If so, Do I need to apply for those?

Thanks bunches.