Hi guys ,

just want to tell you that i got my visa and i have been in the states for 13 days, I have two questions :

I have IR 1 visa , does it mean that I am legally able to work , or should I wait for a work permit ?
I also would like to know how may days it takes for me to have a SSN ?

Welcome to the USA and mabrook for your success! When you entered the US on an IR1 visa, customs should have stamped your passport with the work authorization. It's good for a year, and that is what you will use until you get the ten year card. You can apply for a Social Security card with your visa. Generally, it takes about 10 days for them to get official notice from the DOS that you are in the country, but you can apply tomorrow and probably have your SSN in about 10 - 14 days after that. In our state, you need the SSN to get a driver's license, so it's good to get started with your process asap.

Best to you!

thank you very much.......i was told that i can not work without the SSN, is that true ? because you can not pay taxes without it , which means you can not work...im very confused ?

You need the SSN to work legally, that is true. Employers need it to collect your payroll taxes and enroll you in insurance plans. It's also good to have a state ID card or a driver's license. You need both for nearly everything. My husband just arrived last month, so we just went thru this.

all right, thank you very much for ur help.......i think, i will have to wait an other few weeks. by the way, do u know any moroccan in Oregon ?

Sorry, I don't know any Moroccans in Oregon, but someone else may.

Some employers will accept the receipt that you get from the Social Security office in place of the number and then you just need to follow up with them and give the number but a lot of companies demand that you apply online and their system will not complete the application without the social security number. My husband's took a week from the day he applied so it's not too long that you have to wait for it. Good luck and welcome to america!

I have a similiar q to this as well. Will my husband be able to legally look for work though with his IR1 stamp on his passport until he gets his ssn? (in the line of work he does I doubt he will be applying online so much)

He can legally look for work but the employer will most likely want to know his social security number right off the bat unless they are aware that they can use the receipt from the social security office, which most smaller companies probably are not aware of. It really only takes a week to get the number and he'll need at least that to get settled in so I wouldn't worry about it.

Good. Nice that you are in Boston too cuz you have already been through the routine here:)

Also, not sure if all offices in mass are the same but our social security offices around my area would not allow me to change my name with the marriage certificate that we had. I had to go to my town and apply for a certificate there, which is a nightmare and a half since you need the name and addy of the guy that married you, etc. I still don't have it but supposedly it should come in the next two weeks.