Social Security Card with Green Card?

[C&AH 104]

My wife is finally coming home this week and I paid the immigration fee on Friday.  Here are my questions. I checked the appropriate box on the petition for the social security card to be sent. 

 

1. Does the social security card normally come along with the green card?

2. Is there a way to find out the social security number before the card arrives? (I was told that my wife cannot be employed until she has the SSN although she has an A#).

3. Since we already requested the SSN on the petition and paid the fee before the 21st,  could a potential government shutdown affect her getting the Social Security Card? (We are also concerned if it might affect E-verify preventing her from finding employment even if she does receive the SSN).

 

Thank you.

[NikLR 13,227]

~~moved to SSN from IR1/CR1 process and procedures.  Topic is about SSN~~

 

1) the SSN should arrive within about 3 weeks.  If it is not there within 2, go to the local SSA office and apply.  Bring the passport with endorsed visa. 

2) no they stopped giving numbers out over the phone due to security reasons

3) yes.  If they cant work they can't do their jobs. 

[JFH 12,190]

To give you an idea of timings, I arrived in the USA on an IR-1 exactly two years before your wife (I landed December 19, 2016, and it feels like yesterday). My SSN card arrived on January 8. My green card did not arrive until February 26. My SSN would have been quicker had it not been the holidays. 

[C&AH 104]

24 minutes ago, JFH said:

To give you an idea of timings, I arrived in the USA on an IR-1 exactly two years before your wife (I landed December 19, 2016, and it feels like yesterday). My SSN card arrived on January 8. My green card did not arrive until February 26. My SSN would have been quicker had it not been the holidays. 

Ironically she will be landing on Dec 19. Will her visa serve as her green card until she gets it? In other words, will she be eligible to work with her Social Security Card and Visa (since it has the A number)? I ask because she is hoping to begin looking for employment in January.

Edited December 16, 2018 by C&AH

[Crazy Cat 41,878]

1.  No, it comes separately.

2.  No.

3.  It depends on what is considered "essential" to the US gov.

 

My wife arrived in the US on 6/22/2017.  Her SS card arrived on July 3rd, 2017.  Her GC arrived on July 15th, 2017.

Congratulations to you and your spouse.  I know this has been a long journey for you.

[Crazy Cat 41,878]

22 minutes ago, C&AH said:

Ironically she will be landing on Dec 19. Will her visa serve as her green card until she gets it? In other words, will she be eligible to work with her Social Security Card and Visa (since it has the A number)? I ask because she is hoping to begin looking for employment in January.

Her stamped passport with I-551 stamp will serve as her Green Card until the plastic one arrives..  She will be eligible to work.  

[JFH 12,190]

1 hour ago, C&AH said:

Ironically she will be landing on Dec 19. Will her visa serve as her green card until she gets it? In other words, will she be eligible to work with her Social Security Card and Visa (since it has the A number)? I ask because she is hoping to begin looking for employment in January.

Yes. In fact I started work before the SSN card arrived. 

[C&AH 104]

9 hours ago, JFH said:

Yes. In fact I started work before the SSN card arrived. 

I spoke with a staffing agency and was told that she cannot work until she has her SSN because of E verify. How were you able to be employed before getting your SSN card? Thanks for your help. 

Edited December 17, 2018 by C&AH

[NikLR 13,227]

26 minutes ago, C&AH said:

I spoke with a staffing agency and was told that she cannot work until she has her SSN because of E verify. How were you able to be employed before getting your SSN card? Thanks for your help. 

You can be employed but you can't be paid. 

[JFH 12,190]

56 minutes ago, C&AH said:

I spoke with a staffing agency and was told that she cannot work until she has her SSN because of E verify. How were you able to be employed before getting your SSN card? Thanks for your help. 

I couldn’t get paid so my wages were “on hold” until I showed my SSN. It only took 3 weeks so I actually only missed one pay  cycle but the next cycle I got the back-dates pay also.

[Qian 33]

I applied my SSN on the DS260, but it never came. 

Took a trip to the SSN office, filled out application there, and it arrived in the mail after two weeks.

You won't be able to get the number over the phone either.

[moeandlu 4]

my husband arrived 24th Dec and got the temporary green card stamp (good for 1 year) in his passport, and he was advised he's ok to work now with that stamp in his passport. he wasn't advised of any SSN coming our way automatically though. just to confirm - is this automatic or do we need to apply at the SSN office locally?

[Crazy Cat 41,878]

6 minutes ago, moeandlu said:

my husband arrived 24th Dec and got the temporary green card stamp (good for 1 year) in his passport, and he was advised he's ok to work now with that stamp in his passport. he wasn't advised of any SSN coming our way automatically though. just to confirm - is this automatic or do we need to apply at the SSN office locally?

If he marked the box on the DS-260, the card should automatically arrive in a few weeks..