Once entering the US: Your experience with SSN / Green Card ?

[ChelseaW 11]

Hi all,

 

I did not find any more recent topics regarding this, if there is one, please direct me.

 

Once I-130 / DS-260 / Interview Stage all done and you entered the US to be with your spouse, how long did it take you to get the SSN and actual Green Card (the plastic card) ?

 

During DS-260 we opted for the SSN delivery to our home address, but I am curious if this really gets triggered into motion once I enter the US or if we better check in with the local SSN office right away?

Same for physical green card - I know my passport will serve as a greencard for up to 1 year, but does it really take USCIS up to a full year to mail the greencard to us?

 

Looking for some experience reports from recently. Thank you 😊

[Dashinka 24,889]

My most recent experience is with my niece and her husband entering on DVs.  They received their GCs within 6 weeks of arriving and activating their IVs.  They did choose the SSN option, but we had some time and the SSA is relatively close to us, so we visited the SSA office, and they had their SSN/SSC within 4 weeks of arrival.  YMMV, and I would not suggest making a special trip to the SSA unless your local office is fairly convenient to you.

 

Good Luck!

[appleblossom 3,316]

SSN’s within 8 days for 3 of us. My daughter’s never arrived so we had to go to an office where they told us it had been cancelled because there was somebody else with exactly the same name and DOB that already had one, so they’d assumed it was an error. The idea that two people in a country of 350 million could have the same name and DOB was clearly too much for them. 😂

 

Green cards for 3 of us within 6 weeks (you’ll be able to track progress using the receipt number from when you pay the fee). My daughter’s GC never arrived so after 90 days (that’s how long they say to give it) we contacted them. That turned out to be an issue with her photo so she had to go and have it redone and then it arrived quite quickly after that.

[mam521 2,248]

5 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

The idea that two people in a country of 350 million could have the same name and DOB was clearly too much for them. 😂

330 million people but impossible!  🙄🤣

 

I think I saw someone say they had their SSN's within about 10 days but physical greencards took 78 days or so.  

 

As stated, you can track with your receipt notice and I'd sign up for USPS Informed Delivery.  I could see them in the USPS app before it had updated online in the USCIS tracking system.  

[appleblossom 3,316]

2 minutes ago, mam521 said:

330 million people but impossible!  🙄🤣

 

I think I saw someone say they had their SSN's within about 10 days but physical greencards took 78 days or so.  

 

As stated, you can track with your receipt notice and I'd sign up for USPS Informed Delivery.  I could see them in the USPS app before it had updated online in the USCIS tracking system.  

Far higher than that now, I rounded it up. 😂 https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/us-population/

 

https://www.census.gov/popclock/

 

And yes to Informed Delivery, it’s invaluable when you’re waiting for government docs to arrive! Definitely worth signing up for. 

[mam521 2,248]

13 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

Far higher than that now, I rounded it up. 😂

Admittedly, I glazed over the 350 part...oops.  

 

But I'm astounded...I didn't realize the can of biscuits was busting out at 345ish million...sheesh!  

 

Anyway, completely off topic now 🫠

[Edward and Jaycel 777]

2 hours ago, appleblossom said:

And yes to Informed Delivery, it’s invaluable when you’re waiting for government docs to arrive! Definitely worth signing up for.

Yes!! It’s the only way we knew when Jaycel’s EAD Card was going to arrive because even though the status on her I-765 says “Card Was Produced”, it still says the tracking number is “Unavailable” and she got the card delivered almost 2 weeks ago. LOL

[Tony Wong 4]

Apr 12, 2024: Entry in Minneapolis / Residence in Phoenix

Apr 23, 2024: SSN

May 15, 2024: GC

[Moda25 61]

My husband entered on September 11, 2024. He received his green card on September 19, 2024

Green card on November 21, 2024.

Edited January 30 by Moda25

[Ontarkie 14,548]

~~Thread moved to General Immigration Discussion, from IR1/CR1 P&P~~

[ChelseaW 11]

Thanks everyone for replies! Fingers crossed SSN will get there ASAP and we won't have to hunt it down. 

 

Unfortunately I'm also going to be CR1 and from what I've been reading the removal of conditions is going to be a mess. 30 months processing time? 😱

[OldUser 7,890]

47 minutes ago, ChelseaW said:

Thanks everyone for replies! Fingers crossed SSN will get there ASAP and we won't have to hunt it down. 

 

Unfortunately I'm also going to be CR1 and from what I've been reading the removal of conditions is going to be a mess. 30 months processing time? 😱

Yes, I-751 is slow. Many file for naturalization while waiting for Removal of Conditions to be decided.

[appleblossom 3,316]

1 hour ago, ChelseaW said:

Thanks everyone for replies! Fingers crossed SSN will get there ASAP and we won't have to hunt it down. 

 

Unfortunately I'm also going to be CR1 and from what I've been reading the removal of conditions is going to be a mess. 30 months processing time? 😱

 

How close to the 2 years are you going to be? If your visa won’t have expired then it might be worth delaying your entry in to the US if you won’t be far off. 

Edited January 30 by appleblossom

[ChelseaW 11]

4 minutes ago, appleblossom said:

 

How close to the 2 years are you going to be? It might be worth delaying your entry in to the US if you won’t be far off. 

 

Nah, we are about 6 months away from it, but all that time apart is already strenuous so we don't really want to wait... So we're going to bite the bullet, pay another large fee and go for it. 

I'd like to hear how it went for people, though. Is it really that easy, I'm just walking around with an expired greencard and showing some USCIS filing notice if asked? 

 

I will probably end up filing for naturalization after 3 years living in the US as a spouse so that might really get approved faster. 

[OldUser 7,890]

1 hour ago, ChelseaW said:

 

I'd like to hear how it went for people, though. Is it really that easy, I'm just walking around with an expired greencard and showing some USCIS filing notice if asked? 

I'm a I-751 survivor (using this term as a joke of course).

 

Nothing changes too much when you are a conditional resident with expired GC and valid extension letter. You technically have all the rights as a person with 10 year GC.

 

When you go through I-9 verification with employer, I always advice using US issued driver license or state ID AND unrestricted social security card. If you enter the US on CR-1 and never had SSN, this is the card you'll receive. Some HRs insist on seeing GC. They cannot do it by law. If you give in to their request, they'll be paranoid about extension letter and conditional card, so avoid showing GC at all costs.

 

You typically won't even use GC for anything other than:

- Proving your status when getting or renewing Driver's Licence / State ID

- Getting mortgage or loan, some lenders insist on seeing GC. With many online banks, you can open accounts without your GC being shared

- Travelling in and out of the US.

 

When travelling internationally, your online check in may not work. And even if it works, it doesn't matter as you still have to present GC and extension letter to airline staff upon check in to the flight to the US. Some airline staff may not be familiar with extension letter, so you'd have to ask for their manager. Overall, just make sure you arrive to airport ealier.

 

That's all I can think of.

Edited January 30 by OldUser