A few questions & confusion after IR1 is issued

[M.Smith 0]

Hi there.

 

My wife received her passport with IR1 visa in the mail today. I have a few questions:

 

• What's the process for obtaining the actual green card once we arrive in the US? Furthermore, just to be clear, this green card is valid for 10 years (no conditions to be removed)? And after 3 years she can apply for naturalization?
• What about a SSN? We previously lived in the US and my wife was issued a social security number. Will this still be valid? Will they send a new card

Edited July 14, 2023 by M.Smith

[milimelo 4,475]

Now that she has the visa, she needs to go online to uscis.gov to pay for green card issuance. This can be done before or after POE entry. It will be a 10-yr card. She can apply for citizenship 90 days before 3 day anniversary of being an LPR. 

For SSN - go to the local SSA office and complete the form to update it. Bring passport with endorsed immigrant visa with you. 

[TBoneTX 45,156]

9 minutes ago, milimelo said:

90 days before 3 day year anniversary

Presumably this.  Follow m's excellent advice.

[M.Smith 0]

Thank you for the answers

[milimelo 4,475]

My mistake - 3 YEARS, not 3 days. That would've been a very fast timeline to naturalization!

[Mike E 11,739]

5 hours ago, M.Smith said:

What's the process for obtaining the actual green card once we arrive in the US?

See https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/uscis-immigrant-fee to pay the fee. Since the visa is in hand, this fee can be paid now. If for some reason you prefer to pay the fee after the point of entry that is fine. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Redro 4,611]

5 hours ago, M.Smith said:

Hi there.

 

My wife received her passport with IR1 visa in the mail today. I have a few questions:

 

• What's the process for obtaining the actual green card once we arrive in the US? Furthermore, just to be clear, this green card is valid for 10 years (no conditions to be removed)? And after 3 years she can apply for naturalization?
• What about a SSN? We previously lived in the US and my wife was issued a social security number. Will this still be valid? Will they send a new card

Your wife should receive the physical green card about a month to three months after she enters the US (if she has paid the fee- instructions should be on a pamphlet they gave her). 

[M.Smith 0]

Sorry maybe this is a dumb question... how do they know where to send the green card? Is there something we will fill out upon arriving in the US?

[Redro 4,611]

7 minutes ago, M.Smith said:

Sorry maybe this is a dumb question... how do they know where to send the green card? Is there something we will fill out upon arriving in the US?

You've already told them. You would have written the address on the DS260. Similar to whether or not you elected to have an SSN sent to your wife on the DS260. 

They will also confirm the address when your wife enters the US and goes through secondary. 

Edited July 14, 2023 by Redro

[Mike E 11,739]

6 minutes ago, M.Smith said:

Sorry maybe this is a dumb question... how do they know where to send the green card? Is there something we will fill out upon arriving in the US?

When she checks in for her flight she will likely be required to provide the airline an address. When she arrives at the port of entry, she provides that same address to CBP officer who processes her visa. 
 

If her address changes after entering the U.S., she files AR-11. Online is preferred. 

[Chancy 6,241]

*** Moved from IR1/CR1 Process & Procedures to Moving to the US forum, where similar topics about processes after visa issuance and US entry are discussed ***