How long does it take to get Green Card after arriving in USA with a CR1 visa

[ladyrkh 1]

My husband arrived in the US on Dec 14 with a CR1 visa and I paid his immigration fee on  Dec 22, 2017. It's been 2 months and we have not received his green card. When I checked the case status, it said it should be received within 120 days (4 months) after entry into the United States.

How long did it take for you to get your green card?

Will employers be willing to take the stamped visa that shows he is a permanent resident?

Must he have physical card before starting a new job?

I will appreciate it if my VJ family can provide me with answers. Thank you.

[Crazy Cat 42,546]

My wife entered the US on June 22. 2017.  She received her SS card on July 3rd.  She received her Green Card on July 15th...........He can work with the CR-1 stamp in his passport.

[ladyrkh 1]

17 minutes ago, missileman said:

My wife entered the US on June 22. 2017.  She received her SS card on July 3rd.  She received her Green Card on July 15th...........He can work with the CR-1 stamp in his passport.

Thanks for the prompt response. Did you pay the visa fee before or after she arrived?

 

[Crazy Cat 42,546]

44 minutes ago, ladyrkh said:

Thanks for the prompt response. Did you pay the visa fee before or after she arrived?

 

I paid it before she arrived...

[O&GForever 387]

1 hour ago, ladyrkh said:

My husband arrived in the US on Dec 14 with a CR1 visa and I paid his immigration fee on  Dec 22, 2017. It's been 2 months and we have not received his green card. When I checked the case status, it said it should be received within 120 days (4 months) after entry into the United States.

How long did it take for you to get your green card?

Will employers be willing to take the stamped visa that shows he is a permanent resident?

Must he have physical card before starting a new job?

I will appreciate it if my VJ family can provide me with answers. Thank you.

I paid for my husband’s greencard a few weeks before he arrived in America. It took about 4-5 weeks after his arrival to get the greencard in hand. 

 

Yes, he can start looking for jobs now, but know that it’s easier to get hired with the physical greencard in hand. Not everyone understands how immigration works and may not get that the visa stamp in he passport allows an immigrant to work in the US. 

[BellaP 3]

I arrived to the US in Oct 20, 2017 and I have not yet received my Green Card. I sent an inquiry and it said up to 30 days to respond. Not sure why it takes so long to produce a physical card or is there any problem with my case.

[JFH 12,191]

Mine was 63 days. I started work less than 2 weeks after I arrived and the I-551 stamp was accepted without hesitation. 

 

Interestingly I also arrived just before Christmas but the previous year (POE was December 19, 2016). And my GC took over 2 months. Those who arrived during the summer time seemed to get theirs quicker. I wonder if it's something to do with the time of year and maybe a lot of employees at USCIS are off work. 

[JB209 60]

I got it about 6 weeks after arrival in late August 2017. I started working with just the I-551 stamp. 

 

Two lessons from my personal experience:

 

1. I did not get the SSN in the mail with the green card therefore I had to go to Social Security office to request one. My employer required the receipt of request from the Social Security Office. 

 

2. Do not mention during the application/interview process as it may make it convoluted that you only have the I-551 stamp. Rather once hired and filling out paperwork with HR, explain them and work with them while filling up the I-9 form

[SusieQQQ 11,587]

Employers should have the list of acceptable documents for work authorization. You can help them if they don’t by showing them where to look : https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/temporary-i-551-stamps-and-mrivs

 

@BellaPthere is a problem with your card, it shouldn’t be that long. Call them to follow up.

[ladyrkh 1]

On 2/27/2018 at 9:48 AM, missileman said:

My wife entered the US on June 22. 2017.  She received her SS card on July 3rd.  She received her Green Card on July 15th...........He can work with the CR-1 stamp in his passport.

Thanks. He received the green card last week.

On 2/28/2018 at 2:41 AM, JFH said:

Mine was 63 days. I started work less than 2 weeks after I arrived and the I-551 stamp was accepted without hesitation. 

 

Interestingly I also arrived just before Christmas but the previous year (POE was December 19, 2016). And my GC took over 2 months. Those who arrived during the summer time seemed to get theirs quicker. I wonder if it's something to do with the time of year and maybe a lot of employees at USCIS are off work. 

Thanks. He received the green card last week.

[ladyrkh 1]

On 2/27/2018 at 10:53 AM, O&GForever said:

I paid for my husband’s greencard a few weeks before he arrived in America. It took about 4-5 weeks after his arrival to get the greencard in hand. 

 

Yes, he can start looking for jobs now, but know that it’s easier to get hired with the physical greencard in hand. Not everyone understands how immigration works and may not get that the visa stamp in he passport allows an immigrant to work in the US. 

Thanks. He received the green card last week.

 

On 2/28/2018 at 8:35 AM, SusieQQQ said:

Employers should have the list of acceptable documents for work authorization. You can help them if they don’t by showing them where to look : https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/temporary-i-551-stamps-and-mrivs

 

@BellaPthere is a problem with your card, it shouldn’t be that long. Call them to follow up.

Thanks. He received the green card last week.

On 2/28/2018 at 8:35 AM, SusieQQQ said:

Employers should have the list of acceptable documents for work authorization. You can help them if they don’t by showing them where to look : https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/temporary-i-551-stamps-and-mrivs

 

@BellaPthere is a problem with your card, it shouldn’t be that long. Call them to follow up.

Thanks. He received the green card last week.

[ladyrkh 1]

On 2/27/2018 at 4:21 PM, BellaP said:

I arrived to the US in Oct 20, 2017 and I have not yet received my Green Card. I sent an inquiry and it said up to 30 days to respond. Not sure why it takes so long to produce a physical card or is there any problem with my case.

Bella call uscis on this number 1 (800) 375-5283.

 

[ladyrkh 1]

On 2/27/2018 at 10:53 AM, O&GForever said:

I paid for my husband’s greencard a few weeks before he arrived in America. It took about 4-5 weeks after his arrival to get the greencard in hand. 

 

Yes, he can start looking for jobs now, but know that it’s easier to get hired with the physical greencard in hand. Not everyone understands how immigration works and may not get that the visa stamp in he passport allows an immigrant to work in the US. 

Thanks. He received it last week