Got Visa... now what?

[Eaglo 0]

Good Evening VJ,

 

After my wife gets a visa, what do we do?

 

I'm curious about getting a Social Security Number for her, and beginning normal life (work, medical benefits, etc...).

 

Thanks.

 

Eaglo

[Ryan H 3,810]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Moving to the US and Your New Life In America forum; topic is about what to do after US entry.

[jle2234 68]

4 minutes ago, Eaglo said:

Good Evening VJ,

 

After my wife gets a visa, what do we do?

 

I'm curious about getting a Social Security Number for her, and beginning normal life (work, medical benefits, etc...).

 

Thanks.

 

Eaglo

During the IR-1/CR-1 process, your wife can select to automatically be issued a Social Security Number after her immigration is approved. If she selects this, she will automatically receive her SSN within three weeks of arriving in the U.S. If she does not select this, she will have to apply for a SSN after arriving in the U.S.

 

Your wife will be eligible to work upon receiving her SSN. I'm not sure what kind of medical benefits you have, but I was able to be added to my husband's (through his employer) even before my immigration was complete -- no SSN was necessary.

Edited January 2, 2018 by jle2234

[Eaglo 0]

Besides waiting three weeks... How would I know if she had selected to be automatically issued a SSN?  Additionally, if she hadn't how would I go about applying for one?

[Eaglo 0]

1 minute ago, Dee elle said:

If a ss card doesnt arrive in the mail in 4 weeks

Any way to check.  I'm not really a, "Sit back and wait for others to move," type of person.

[SabRob 154]

1 hour ago, Eaglo said:

Any way to check.  I'm not really a, "Sit back and wait for others to move," type of person.

Check your DS-260 in your CEAC account. There should be a section called Social Security Number, click on it and see if your wife opted to be issued a social security card. 

 

If she selected YES then she should receive it within 3 weeks of her entry into the US. 

If she opted not to receive it then she must go to a social security office and apply in person after she arrives into the US. 

[JRF 117]

23 hours ago, Eaglo said:

Good Evening VJ,

 

After my wife gets a visa, what do we do?

 

I'm curious about getting a Social Security Number for her, and beginning normal life (work, medical benefits, etc...).

 

Thanks.

 

Eaglo

Regarding benefits, most private plans require you notify them within 30 days of a life event, in this case when she enters the US.  This may be some sort of law, not sure.  Anyways, Pplease be sure to meet the deadline, your chances of an exception are slim to none (I am speaking from experience).  Best of luck, and congrats!

[dawning 212]

Perhaps things have improved recently, but when my husband came back in 2015 the whole SSN thing was pretty spotty with the DS 260.  We requested one but it didn't happen, he had to sign up in person at our local office.  No one the Social Security 800 number was any help either.  Seeing some in person at your local office is probably the most efficient.

 

Good luck!