Old Social Security Number

[haiku 16]

Hi Everyone,

I have a SSN from 2005 when I was on a J-1 visa (working a winter season as a student). We used this SSN on my visa application. I will be entering on my CR1 visa in February and I am not sure what needs to happen with my SSN (the guy at the embassy couldn't tell me either). 

Is the most sensible answer just to call the SSO when I'm in the USA?

Or do I need to just change my work status (https://faq.ssa.gov/en-US/Topic/article/KA-01436)?

Or has anyone dealt with this situation and is aware of the steps that I need to take?

 

Happy Holidays to all and many thanks in advance!

Heike 

[Dashinka 24,635]

So when you enter with your CR1, you will automatically become an LPR, so go down to your nearest SSA office a few days or more after entering and have them update your status in their system.  They should honor your CBP endorsed visa as proof of your LPR status, or you can wait until you receive your physical GC.

 

Good Luck!

[milimelo 4,508]

You just go update the SSA with the immigrant visa status and you get the updated version of your existing SSN.

[iwannaplay54 985]

Answer:  You don’t have to do anything at all.  If your old SS card says “not authorized to work without DHS approval” you will automatically get an updated one in the mail.  Even if it does not, you’ll get a new card anyway.  Your original SS number is yours for life.

The ONLY time you need to physically go in and update your status with SS is after citizenship.

Edited December 25, 2022 by iwannaplay54

[SteveInBostonI130 3,471]

After a few days, call the SSA.  Ask about your status - inform them of your approved CR1 and your SSN and ask if the system shows if a new card will be sent to you.  If they state there is no request in their system to send you your card, go to the local SSA office.  You may need to fill out the SS5 form.

[mniceguy16 187]

5 hours ago, haiku said:

Hi Everyone,

I have a SSN from 2005 when I was on a J-1 visa (working a winter season as a student). We used this SSN on my visa application. I will be entering on my CR1 visa in February and I am not sure what needs to happen with my SSN (the guy at the embassy couldn't tell me either). 

Is the most sensible answer just to call the SSO when I'm in the USA?

Or do I need to just change my work status (https://faq.ssa.gov/en-US/Topic/article/KA-01436)?

Or has anyone dealt with this situation and is aware of the steps that I need to take?

 

Happy Holidays to all and many thanks in advance!

Heike 

The stamp which will be put on your passport as endorsement is enough proof that you are a LPR, just take it alongside your original birth certificate and go to your SSO, fill the paperwork for SSC and put down your old SSN, they will update it for you. I came in with CR1 and did not have an SSN, I paid the $220 well before I landed in the USA, but still went to get My SSN two days after arriving and My passport and original birth certificate were enough for it to be done.

[Loren Y 2,756]

You should get a new card in the mail with your old SS number on it automatically I would think. My stepson came in November 9th on his Immigrant visa, and I went to the SS office with him to apply for his SS card, and they said there was already one issued in the system, and should have it in a week. He said its all automatic now when you enter on an Immigrant visa. Even if you have a number he said it will send you a card. Doubt you will get thru on the phone, but you can try. You could visit your local office and they will know if you have one processing or a new one on the way. I would wait a week or so before doing anything and see what happens. My stepson entered on the 9th of November, the card was issued on the 10th of November, and we had it in the mailbox on the 17th of November. Could have saved a trip to the office if I knew something automatically worked for once like it was supposed to.

As a side note, and just for your info. we paid the fee before he entered, and his green card just arrived. took about 45 days for it to get to the house after entry. CBP said give it 3 months, then call, but amazingly it showed up in only 45 days or so.

[TBoneTX 45,598]

Thread is moved from the Moving to the US forum to the Social Security Numbers subforum.

[haiku 16]

Thanks to everyone for their responses - I'll give it a few days after arriving, and then check with my local SSO. 

[iwannaplay54 985]

On 12/25/2022 at 1:15 PM, Loren Y said:

You should get a new card in the mail with your old SS number on it automatically I would think. My stepson came in November 9th on his Immigrant visa, and I went to the SS office with him to apply for his SS card, and they said there was already one issued in the system, and should have it in a week. He said its all automatic now when you enter on an Immigrant visa. Even if you have a number he said it will send you a card. Doubt you will get thru on the phone, but you can try. You could visit your local office and they will know if you have one processing or a new one on the way. I would wait a week or so before doing anything and see what happens. My stepson entered on the 9th of November, the card was issued on the 10th of November, and we had it in the mailbox on the 17th of November. Could have saved a trip to the office if I knew something automatically worked for once like it was supposed to.

As a side note, and just for your info. we paid the fee before he entered, and his green card just arrived. took about 45 days for it to get to the house after entry. CBP said give it 3 months, then call, but amazingly it showed up in only 45 days or so.

That’s what happened to us.

[goblin 26]

On 12/26/2022 at 10:50 AM, haiku said:

Thanks to everyone for their responses - I'll give it a few days after arriving, and then check with my local SSO. 

Has been explained well multiple times already, but I just confirm again, I also had an old SSN from an F1 student visa from 2000 because I worked on campus. After my immigration in 2016 on EB1A I soon went to the closest social security office in town, I think I was even able to book an appointment at the time. Wait wasn't that long and everyone was friendly and my status got updated. I didn't have my original card anymore so they mailed me a new one and also the I-551 Stamp was sufficient for identification.

 

Good luck! 😊

[haiku 16]

Thanks for sharing your experience, much appreciated!

[haiku 16]

Just for an update now that I've landed in the USA: One week after entering on my CR1, I went down to my nearest SSA office and update my status, pre-filling my data online. I also had to update my name as the Bern Embassy used the German spelling of my surname. I took my passport with the I555 stamp, birth certificate and my old social security card. I had to wait about 90 minutes (expected wait time was 160 minutes, but I got through faster) and the guy at the counter was super helpful. All in all, a very pain free process!