How long does it take to get green card and SSN after arrival

[LeoFu]

Hello,

 

After almost two years of waiting my wife finally got her VISA and boarded on 6/30. Thanks God!!!

 

The issue is that my wife has not yet received the green card and SSN. The social security officer told us that it is not necessary to apply for SSN for my wife's VISA (I-130) but one should come with the green card. However, we have not yet received anything until now. Even worse, my wife can't take the driving test in DMV without SSN.

 

Any idea how long does it take for both green card and SSN to come? What else can I do beside waiting?

 

 

Regards,

 

 

Leo

 

[Randy W]

Hello,

 

After almost two years of waiting my wife finally got her VISA and boarded on 6/30. Thanks God!!!

 

The issue is that my wife has not yet received the green card and SSN. The social security officer told us that it is not necessary to apply for SSN for my wife's VISA (I-130) but one should come with the green card. However, we have not yet received anything until now. Even worse, my wife can't take the driving test in DMV without SSN.

 

Any idea how long does it take for both green card and SSN to come? What else can I do beside waiting?

 

 

Regards,

 

 

Leo

 

 

 

Your wife is already a Legal Permanent Resident, as of her being processed at the Point of Entry into the U.S. See her visa, whether CR1/IR1 for the I-551 notation which indicates this. Green card == I551.

 

I f she were awarded an SSN, the Social Security office should be able to tell you the number. If not, submit an application. VERY few people receive SS numbers without applying separately. The SS card DOES NOT come with the green card, but is mailed separately.

[Greg.D.]

Still need to apply for the work authorization (EAD) card, then the SSN (experts please correct if I am wrong).

 

Read this link at VisaJouney:

http://www.visajourney.com/faq/k3k4visa-enter.html

 

13.4)...Does anybody know the requirements are on obtaining a social security number with a k3 visa? I tried to get one for my wife and the Social Security Administration told me she needs to get authorization to work first. I've heard stories that k type visa aren't required to get authorization to work??

 

A..It is very possible that the Social Security Administration will amend their procedures and allow a K3 to obtain a SSN by simply showing proof of their status as a K3, similar to what the SSA does for the K1. Until the SSA indicates by word or action that this is what they will do, the K3/K4 will need to obtain an EAD prior to obtaining a SSN. Please read the SSN Guide for specific information on how to get a SSN for a K3/4 visa holder.

 

SSN guide:

http://www.visajourney.com/content/ssn

[LeoFu]

 

Hello,

 

After almost two years of waiting my wife finally got her VISA and boarded on 6/30. Thanks God!!!

 

The issue is that my wife has not yet received the green card and SSN. The social security officer told us that it is not necessary to apply for SSN for my wife's VISA (I-130) but one should come with the green card. However, we have not yet received anything until now. Even worse, my wife can't take the driving test in DMV without SSN.

 

Any idea how long does it take for both green card and SSN to come? What else can I do beside waiting?

 

 

Regards,

 

 

Leo

 

 

 

Your wife is already a Legal Permanent Resident, as of her being processed at the Point of Entry into the U.S. See her visa, whether CR1/IR1 for the I-551 notation which indicates this. Green card == I551.

 

I f she were awarded an SSN, the Social Security office should be able to tell you the number. If not, submit an application. VERY few people receive SS numbers without applying separately. The SS card DOES NOT come with the green card, but is mailed separately.

 

Hi Randy,

 

The IV category is IR1.

That's what I remember most people do need to submit a separate application for SSN and you can get a temporarily number / card on the same day. I will double-check with the SS office again. Thank you.

[dnoblett]

Regarding green card, did you pay the required processing fee after arrival?

 

https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/uscis-immigrant-fee

[dnoblett]

Still need to apply for the work authorization (EAD) card, then the SSN (experts please correct if I am wrong).

 

Not correct, an IR-1 or CR-1 visa has the I-551 notation on it which makes it a temporary green card, green card holders are work authorized, no EAD needed.

 

The visa with I-551 notation is all that is needed to apply for an SSN.

 

Do not assume checking the box on the visa application will generate the SSN card, go to the SSA office and apply for a card in person.

[LeoFu]

Regarding green card, did you pay the required processing fee after arrival?

 

https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/uscis-immigrant-fee

What? I need to pay for the green card? Shouldn't it be included in the application fee?

No, we didn't know that and the embassy had not told us either during the interview. Is it why we are not getting the green card (and SSN)?

[dnoblett]

Visit the SSA office and apply for the SSN it rarely gets generated by that check box.

 

Study topics tagged ELIS, this is common.

 

http://candleforlove.com/forums/tags/forums/ELIS/

[LeoFu]

 

Regarding green card, did you pay the required processing fee after arrival?

 

https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/uscis-immigrant-fee

What? I need to pay for the green card? Shouldn't it be included in the application fee?

No, we didn't know that and the embassy had not told us either during the interview. Is it why we are not getting the green card (and SSN)?

 

 

From USCIS.."If you arrive in the United States and haven’t yet paid the USCIS Immigrant Fee, USCIS will send you a payment notice with instructions on paying your fee. "

We have not yet received any payment notice from USCIS.

 

At the time of your interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate, the DOS interviewing officer should have given you a USCIS Immigrant Fee handout. If you did not receive an immigrant data summary or a USCIS Immigrant Fee handout with your visa packet, contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate that issued your visa to request a copy.

 

No, never seen this handout.

[dnoblett]

It happens, still need to pay the ELIS fee to get the card.

[LeoFu]

It happens, still need to pay the ELIS fee to get the card.

Thank you. I contacted US embassy in Hong Kong and got a reply almost right away with payment instruction which was missed during the interview. They also explained since my wife had requested an SSN when she applied for the VISA there is no need to file another application for SSN.

 

Thanks all for great tips. Nothing is better than family reunion and re-establishing family life in U.S.

 

Leo

[Randy W]

 

It happens, still need to pay the ELIS fee to get the card.

Thank you. I contacted US embassy in Hong Kong and got a reply almost right away with payment instruction which was missed during the interview. They also explained since my wife had requested an SSN when she applied for the VISA there is no need to file another application for SSN.

 

Thanks all for great tips. Nothing is better than family reunion and re-establishing family life in U.S.

 

Leo

 

 

 

Checking that box and waiting VERY rarely works, and simply adds about 30 days to the process. Just remember that when it DOESN'T arrive, you will need to file an application anyway.

 

There is no downside to applying at the SS office - they will NOT issue TWO numbers.

[LeoFu]

I thought it was the end but more to come.

 

First, we went to the Social Security Administration and found out that there was no record of my wife at all (I am not surprised). The good part is the officer was very nice and helped us to file an application right away.

 

So now with the SSN we went to DMV to apply for the driver license. The DMV officer asked whether we have the I-94 form? No, all we have is some kind of stamp on the passport. So, we are told to download and print out the I-94 from the Custom and Border Protection (CBP) website at WWW.CBP.GIV/I94. Under get most recent I-94 page, it asks you to enter information such as name, date of birth, passport number and country of issuance. However, noo matter what it is still returning "no record found for the traveler." We do, however, are able to locate the arrival record under travel history. Odd. Did we miss anything?

 

Thanks!

[dnoblett]

An immigrant will never have an I-94 record, this has only to do wilt non-immigrants and indicates allowed visit period.

 

The visa with I-551 notation serves as a 1-year temp green card.

 

Note the notation at the bottom of the visa.

 

[LeoFu]

An immigrant will never have an I-94 record, this has only to do wilt non-immigrants and indicates allowed visit period.

 

The visa with I-551 notation serves as a 1-year temp green card.

 

Note the notation at the bottom of the visa.

 

 

 

 

This is exactly what my wife has. I think you are right. It is as good as a green card. In other word, if my wife had a green card, she wouldn't not have to show her passport at all. Thank you for your feedbacks.