SSN for immigrant visa

[Don0 73]

Hi again to the VJ community!

 

I'm wondering if any I should get an SSN before my green card arrives? From what I know, I checked the box on the DS260 on ceac so it will be sent with my green card (still waiting for green card). 

 

Now my employer is asking for an SSN and is assuming I can get one. Should I apply? Would that matter to the previous SSN i asked for in the DS260? 

[payxibka 10,047]

7 minutes ago, Don0 said:

Hi again to the VJ community!

 

I'm wondering if any I should get an SSN before my green card arrives? From what I know, I checked the box on the DS260 on ceac so it will be sent with my green card (still waiting for green card). 

 

Now my employer is asking for an SSN and is assuming I can get one. Should I apply? Would that matter to the previous SSN i asked for in the DS260? 

when did you enter?

[HRQX 4,145]

10 minutes ago, Don0 said:

so it will be sent with my green card (still waiting for green card).

SSN is always sent separately from the green card. If it's been more than 3 weeks from US entry, then contact SSA: "IMPORTANT: Call us if you do not receive your Social Security card after 3 weeks or if you change your mailing address after arrival in the United States. If you call us, please have this letter with you. It will help us answer your questions." https://www.ssa.gov/ssnvisa/Handout_11_1.html

[John & Rose 7,239]

We got 2 of 3 social security cards within 5 days of arrival.  We had to go to SSA for the third as, although we checked the proper boxes, my wife's card was not processed.  20 minutes of waiting and a 5 minute conversation had her card in hand 10 days later.

 

[Hank_ 9,174]

1 hour ago, Don0 said:

Hi again to the VJ community!

 

I'm wondering if any I should get an SSN before my green card arrives? From what I know, I checked the box on the DS260 on ceac so it will be sent with my green card (still waiting for green card). 

 

Now my employer is asking for an SSN and is assuming I can get one. Should I apply? Would that matter to the previous SSN i asked for in the DS260? 

You could call SSA to check on status.  Don't apply for the SSN if you already have with the DS-260

[HRQX 4,145]

19 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

20 minutes of waiting and a 5 minute conversation had her card in hand 10 days later.

OP would need an appointment because of the pandemic: https://www.ssa.gov/coronavirus/ "None of our Social Security offices can accommodate walk-in visitors until further notice. In-person service is by appointment only and for limited, dire need situations."

[Don0 73]

4 hours ago, HRQX said:

SSN is always sent separately from the green card. If it's been more than 3 weeks from US entry, then contact SSA: "IMPORTANT: Call us if you do not receive your Social Security card after 3 weeks or if you change your mailing address after arrival in the United States. If you call us, please have this letter with you. It will help us answer your questions." https://www.ssa.gov/ssnvisa/Handout_11_1.html

Thank you, this is very helpful. But I am not sure what letter it is pertaining to..

3 hours ago, John & Rose said:

We got 2 of 3 social security cards within 5 days of arrival.  We had to go to SSA for the third as, although we checked the proper boxes, my wife's card was not processed.  20 minutes of waiting and a 5 minute conversation had her card in hand 10 days later.

 

wow! That's fast! Was that before COVID?

[HRQX 4,145]

16 minutes ago, Don0 said:

But I am not sure what letter it is pertaining to..

The content of the following page is the "letter": https://www.ssa.gov/ssnvisa/Handout_11_1.html

[Don0 73]

1 minute ago, HRQX said:

The content of the following page is the "letter": https://www.ssa.gov/ssnvisa/Handout_11_1.html

Ohhh lol! Thanks!  

[John & Rose 7,239]

24 minutes ago, Don0 said:

 

wow! That's fast! Was that before COVID?

Yes it was. That was the old days when everything was still open and accessible 

[Don0 73]

I just want to update this post. And I'm sorry if I will be ranting! SSA right now is a total chaos! They can't see my application from the DS260, they have different instructions from different offices, they have agents who don't even know what an immigrant visa is (told him IR1, CR1, spousal visa, etc. And he just tells me "I only see R1, that's for religious stuff" whatt??!!) Well, most of the agents I've talked to are either not in the mood or wouldn't even let you finish talking.

 

They told me they call me and probably the earliest appointment would be November. 

[Chancy 6,243]

23 minutes ago, Don0 said:

I just want to update this post. And I'm sorry if I will be ranting! SSA right now is a total chaos! They can't see my application from the DS260, they have different instructions from different offices, they have agents who don't even know what an immigrant visa is (told him IR1, CR1, spousal visa, etc. And he just tells me "I only see R1, that's for religious stuff" whatt??!!) Well, most of the agents I've talked to are either not in the mood or wouldn't even let you finish talking.

 

It's probably no comfort, but at least, you're not alone in this.  SSA reps being misinformed or unhelpful has been a common complaint here on VJ long before COVID.  Unfortunately, the only effective course of action seems to be to try different SSA offices until you find one with people who know how to accommodate new immigrants.  Seems other members have had more success with SSA offices in big cities or close to universities.  Good luck!

 

Edited October 7, 2020 by Chancy

[Don0 73]

On 10/7/2020 at 2:20 PM, Chancy said:

 

It's probably no comfort, but at least, you're not alone in this.  SSA reps being misinformed or unhelpful has been a common complaint here on VJ long before COVID.  Unfortunately, the only effective course of action seems to be to try different SSA offices until you find one with people who know how to accommodate new immigrants.  Seems other members have had more success with SSA offices in big cities or close to universities.  Good luck!

 

They always forward me to the closest one after I say my zip code.. 😔 thanks anyways! 😊