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My husband arrived from Morocco a few days ago on a CR-1 visa. From what I understand he can work using the Visa in his passport, which serves as a temporaty I-551. Is this true? Also, how long should we expect to wait to get his Green Card? And how do we go about getting him a Social Security number?
Congratualtions on his arrival !! Yes he can use it for employment, however he must have a social security card first. Just go to your social security office and apply for his card. He has to be in the states at least 10-14 days to apply. Wael received his green card almost 3 months later, so don't be surprised if it doesn't come right away. Good luck!
My husband arrived from Morocco last Thursday on an IR1 visa. He was also told he could work right away, so, yesterday we made the rounds of appropriate government offices to get him set up for work. We applied for a SS number on the DS-230, but yesterday at a local SS office, they informed us that they didn't know he was here and that there was no number issued for him yet.
They said it takes about 10 days after arrival for them to be notified that a person is in the country. So, he reapplied for the card instead while we were there, and was told that if he doesn't receive it in about 4-6 weeks, then to call the phone number on the receipt. In the meantime, we are using the ITN number he was issued for tax purposes as a Social Security number substitute to set up up with job registration and ESL classes thru the county.
As far as the green card goes, the customs officer who cleared him at DIA said it could take up to a year to get the actual card, but the stamp in the passport serves as the green card verification for that year. He also said hubby cannot leave the country until he has received the real card.
I hope that helps, and congratulations!
They said it takes about 10 days after arrival for them to be notified that a person is in the country. So, he reapplied for the card instead while we were there, and was told that if he doesn't receive it in about 4-6 weeks, then to call the phone number on the receipt. In the meantime, we are using the ITN number he was issued for tax purposes as a Social Security number substitute to set up up with job registration and ESL classes thru the county.
As far as the green card goes, the customs officer who cleared him at DIA said it could take up to a year to get the actual card, but the stamp in the passport serves as the green card verification for that year. He also said hubby cannot leave the country until he has received the real card.
I hope that helps, and congratulations!
QUOTE(Virtual wife @ May 6 2008, 06:43 AM) 
My husband arrived from Morocco last Thursday on an IR1 visa.
so that's where you've been lately! congrats on his arrival!
QUOTE(theresaandali @ May 6 2008, 07:24 AM)
My husband arrived from Morocco a few days ago on a CR-1 visa. From what I understand he can work using the Visa in his passport, which serves as a temporaty I-551. Is this true? Also, how long should we expect to wait to get his Green Card? And how do we go about getting him a Social Security number?
Yes, he can work using the visa in his passport, but he will also need his social security number. If he does not receive his SS card about 3 weeks after his arrival, go to any nearest SS office along with his passport and apply for the SS card. The typical time to receive the green card is 3 weeks to 3 months. He should receive "Welcome to USA" letter from USCIS, Mesquite, TX followed by his green card letter few days later.
Great news on Ali's arrival! Did his friend Anwar get his visa yet?
Jackie
Jackie
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