Thinking ahead - green cards and social security

[depressedgirl 3]

Hi visa chums, 

 

Just thinking ahead whilst i wait on week 10 for my CC (do you hear the NVC laughing?). From reading around it sounds like it can take over a month for green cards and social security cards to turn up. In the U.K. I have a very flexible job, in the US I have no job and it'd suit my wife and I financially if we could wait until the green card and social security number were delivered before I hopped on the plane to move, just because I could spend the time earning money (all this moving is an expensive business). 

 

Does anyone know about or have experience of doing this? Is the green card down to be processed as soon as the interview is done or is it triggered by you entering the country? Don't think I can face 2 months etc of not working  but everyone's stories I have read they've moved straight away and then been waiting home bored, has anyone waited before moving?

[mallafri76 1,012]

The GC and SSN is not "triggered" until you immigrate to the US. And you can still apply for jobs and start work even without the GC and SSN. The endorsed CR/IR-1 visa in your passport will act as a GC until you get the proper card. Usually, you get the SSN about two weeks after entering the US. And trust me, the first few weeks you'll be too busy settling in anyway; getting driver's license, making a home, catching up with your spouse, getting a phone etc etc.

 

I started working a month after immigrating to the US and used the visa in my passport as proof of eligibility to work in the US. 

 

The people you've read about "waiting home and bored" are probably k-1s. They're not allowed to work until they get their EAD. When you come on the CR/IR-1, you can work straight away. 

[MrChamploo 45]

3 hours ago, mallafri76 said:

The GC and SSN is not "triggered" until you immigrate to the US. And you can still apply for jobs and start work even without the GC and SSN. The endorsed CR/IR-1 visa in your passport will act as a GC until you get the proper card. Usually, you get the SSN about two weeks after entering the US. And trust me, the first few weeks you'll be too busy settling in anyway; getting driver's license, making a home, catching up with your spouse, getting a phone etc etc.

 

I started working a month after immigrating to the US and used the visa in my passport as proof of eligibility to work in the US. 

 

The people you've read about "waiting home and bored" are probably k-1s. They're not allowed to work until they get their EAD. When you come on the CR/IR-1, you can work straight away. 

 

No. My wife cant do anything at the DMV until she has her SS card. She can't work as 90% of companies want an SS number as well. You cannot get paid without one.

[KierenHby 899]

8 hours ago, depressedgirl said:

Hi visa chums, 

 

Just thinking ahead whilst i wait on week 10 for my CC (do you hear the NVC laughing?). From reading around it sounds like it can take over a month for green cards and social security cards to turn up. In the U.K. I have a very flexible job, in the US I have no job and it'd suit my wife and I financially if we could wait until the green card and social security number were delivered before I hopped on the plane to move, just because I could spend the time earning money (all this moving is an expensive business). Sorry, but nothing is delivered until after you set foot in the US. 

 

Does anyone know about or have experience of doing this? Is the green card down to be processed as soon as the interview is done or is it triggered by you entering the country? Permanent residency is triggered as soon as the immigrant visa on the passport is endorsed at POE. Don't think I can face 2 months etc of not working  but everyone's stories I have read they've moved straight away and then been waiting home bored, has anyone waited before moving?

 

[mallafri76 1,012]

2 hours ago, MrChamploo said:

 

No. My wife cant do anything at the DMV until she has her SS card. She can't work as 90% of companies want an SS number as well. You cannot get paid without one.

True that you need a SSN to get paid but you can still get offered a job and start working without one. 

 

At my previous job as well as at my new job, we've hired several new immigrants and many of them started working before having a SSN. Since getting a SSN usually takes about 10 days, most of them had their SSN in time for their first paycheck. ? If you're wife is being turned away because she doesn't have a SSN it's either because she's not explaining her status properly or HR are not familiar with or used to hiring immigrants. 

 

 

[depressedgirl 3]

Aw that's so annoying, I think it'll be hard to convince an employer to let me work without a social security number even if it is perfectly legal, like you say it depends on them understanding hiring immigrants. 

[misshepburn 52]

4 hours ago, depressedgirl said:

Aw that's so annoying, I think it'll be hard to convince an employer to let me work without a social security number even if it is perfectly legal, like you say it depends on them understanding hiring immigrants. 

 

After your successful interview you can still apply for jobs while you remain working in your home country, if you'd prefer. Then explain to potential employers that you'll get a SSN approximately 2 weeks after your POE date.