Should I await SS card in the mail, or walk into local office and apply?

[Virtuous45 31]

Hello VJers,

I arrived in the US on October 22 (ten days after my two-year wedding anniversary). Again, I give my appreciation to this community that helped us through the immigration process...truly appreciate it.

I have a question today. When I was filling it out the IV online application, I had checked the box for my SS Card to be processed and mailed to me. I have friends who preceded me to the US, told me that they didn't wait on that to kick in..they just went in and applied for it manually, since it may take the same time (or less) for the office to send it to them. I would like know if I should wait the next two weeks, or I should just walk in and apply for it myself before that?

Also, while being processed at the airport, the Officer told me to expect my Green Card in the mail in the next 6 months? Is that normal? He told me I could use the temporary visa in my passport up to a year, but why so long to wait for the Card?

Thanks

[Hypnos 6,576]

Physical green card production is backlogged at the moment.

Even by checking the box requesting a social security card, you have maybe a 50-50 chance of actually receiving it. Going into the office and applying for one guarantees that you'll actually receive it.

[Russ&Caro 1,549]

Darnell has posted a guide here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/405546-ssn-howto/

In brief, wait until 2 weeks from POE and then go into your local SSA office.

My wife's green card was received by us in the mail approximately 2 months after POE. That was back in August. I hope you get yours before 6 months. Good luck!

[Hypnos 6,576]

The two weeks of waiting is no longer required, with the transfer of I-94s to the electronic system.

[Ryan H 3,812]

The two weeks of waiting is no longer required, with the transfer of I-94s to the electronic system.

Spouse visa holders would not have an I-94 (paper or electronic).

**Moderator hat on**

***Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to General Immigration-Related Discussion.***

[Hypnos 6,576]

Very true, although as I understand it they still do not need to wait.

[Kemtan 17]

I'm Having the exact same issue. My husband came 8/26 we were told at the SS office that we needed to wait 30 day after entry to apply at the office. After the 30 day we went back and they accepted the application but as of today we haven't received the card. I called today and was told to return to our local office with the receipt. As for GC I was told they have a backlog and its now taking 90 to process.

[j&ana 363]

I would wait a little longer. My wife came her june 9th. She recieve her SS card about 2 weeks later.Then her GC came about 2 weeks later. i am not sure on the dates but I know me and my wife move into a new place July 25th. She came here June 9th and had the ss and GC before we moved

Edited October 28, 2015 by j&ana

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

I physically went to SSA to apply for SSN before it came through the mail. I don't know if that has changed but from my understanding, SSA operates independently of USCIS which issues GC.

For your GC, you just have to wait until it comes through the mail but the SSN you have to go there and apply. USCIS does not forward your paperwork to them.

I stand corrected if someone can prove otherwise.

[Soup Dragon 104]

I checked the box on the visa application but, on instructions from the consulate, wait ten days and if no card then go to the social security office. No card so I went to chase it up.

Turned out they had my name wrong, they had my first and middle names as one single name (idk why, it was clear on my application) so when I went to chase it up I wasn't in the system. I had to make the application from the beginning. My card arrived about two weeks later and my green card a week after that. All in all everything took about six weeks from when I arrived in the US,

Good luck!

[Virtuous45 31]

Thanks guys. I got the SS Card in the mail about a few days after this post. However, still awaiting the Green Card. Hope it comes before the year ends.