Working on CR-1 before Green Card Arrives

[rach3408 0]

Hi all -- My husband just arrived in the US (WAHOO) under a CR-1. We haven't received his actual green card yet but he has a job lined up already. Is he able to work before getting the green card which will have his SS #? Does anyone know what we need to show his employer?

[teeak 224]

The green card won't have the SS#. He'll need to go to the social security office and apply for a social security card. Once he gets that, he should be able to start working. The visa in his passport will act as a temporary green card so he can submit this as proof of legal residency to his employer.

[newacct 688]

The moment he entered the US with his immigrant visa, he became a permanent resident and can work in the US. The immigrant visa, upon being stamped on entry, became a green card (I-551), equivalent to the plastic card in every way for one year. He needs to have applied for a Social Security number before he starts working, but he doesn't need to have gotten the Social Security number before he starts working.

[IanChap 5]

Besides what the above posters have stated, didn't you receive a welcome letter and congratulations and all that. I'm just trying to recall when I got mine, I think I received the welcome letter ( I was already in the States ) and went straight to the SS office and applied. Once you have that SS number, go wild! I mean I did, I immediately didn't have a problem with jobs, he has been approved, that's what matters, I could be wrong, but that is what I did. I remember going to the DMV in NYC and proudly showing my SS card and my letter and getting that first american ID. Was a magical moment.