Hey all,

Does anyone know if you are able to work in the US once the Visa has been granted? I'm in the process of waiting for the interview in Montreal after DCF filing and was wondering what the next steps are after the Visa is granted - can we just pick up and cross the border and be eligeable to work in the US right away or do I need to apply for a social security number? Anything else I might require? Any other processes you need to follow once you've got the Visa before you can pick up and move?


Thanks to anyone who might know these answers

Darryl

Hello,

You have to apply for social security number near where you live in order for you to be eligible to work, but make sure you apply for it immediatley because they only give you 3 months to apply for it once you enter the US. If you don't then you must wait until you get your greencard after applying for permanent residency, which takes about 4-6 months depending where you are.

Yes, since you are entering the USA on a CR-1 visa, the POE will stamp visa with I-551 stamp indicating Green-Card is being ordered, and the visa will act as a temp Green-Card.

Most employers will want a SSN in addition to the Green-Card, so you may have to wait until you have a SSN, You may have to visit a SSA office to apply to get a SSN, just show them the Visa with I-551 stamp, you may have to wait a few weeks before visiting SSA office for their records to be updated showing entry into the USA.

Yours only shows filing I-130 last September. http://www.visajourney.com/timeline/profile.php?id=31244

Also you filed for something so immigration status in your profile is something other than N/A

hergel06:

The OP indicated DCF which is an Immigration visa (CR-1). Your answer applies to K-1, fiancee visas.

THE OP NEEDS to update their profile so that they get correct answers.

Darryl, ]
please see the links in my signature for the answers to this, and so much more! (especially the first link). The DCF Guide, and the thread Arriving in America, will help you with the rest.

YuandDan - thanks for the reply. Sorry my timeline wasn't filled out to your liking...I didn't realize it was a mandatory obligation. All relevant information required to answer the question is in my signature to the best of my knowledge.

Darryl

Meauxna - thanks for the info I'll go through your links.

Darryl

Meauxna - I read through your first link which I've seen before and it just says that you'll have the "Right To be employed in the United States at any legal work of your qualification and choosing." My question here is though - do I need to file for a SSN and receive it before I can begin working in the US? If so, can I apply before I receive my visa?

Thanks for your info

Darryl

Darryl, you do need to apply for a Social Security account to be hired, but you do not have to have received the card. You may have already applied via DS-230 II instead of applying with SS-5.

Employers may hire candidates who have applied for, but not yet recieved, their Social Security Card.

http://tinyurl.com/3aqah6
Do legal aliens need a Social Security number to work?

Question
We are a company who is hiring legal aliens without Social Security numbers. Do they need a number to work, or just a work permit?

Answer
You are required to get each employee's name and Social Security number and to enter them on Form W-2. (This requirement also applies to resident and nonresident alien employees.) You should ask your employee to show you his or her social security card. The employee is required to show the card, if available. You may, but are not required to, photocopy the Social Security card if the employee provides it.

A non-U.S. citizen employee who does not have a Social Security number may apply for one by completing Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card. To apply for a card, he or she will need to complete Form SS-5 which is available for download. Or they may obtain Form SS-5 by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting the local Social Security office.

The employee will need to submit Form SS-5 with evidence of age, identity and current authorization to work from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). (The application cannot be filed by the employer.) The immigration document may be acceptable as evidence of both identity and authorization to work in the United States. All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency.

To apply for a replacement card, the employee will need to submit Form SS-5 with evidence of identity and current authorization to work from the DHS. We cannot accept photocopies of documents. We need original documents or copies certified by the custodian of the record. Notarized copies are also not acceptable.

If the employee is a noncitizen, we must verify their documents with the (DHS) before we issue a card. We will issue the card within two days of receiving verification from DHS. Most of the time, we can quickly verify documents online with DHS. If DHS can't verify the documents online, it may take several weeks or months to respond to Social Security's request.

Employers may hire foreign workers who have applied for and are waiting to receive Social Security numbers and cards. The employee may work while the Social Security number application is being processed. If your employee applied for an SSN but does not have it when you must file Form W-2, enter "Applied for" on the form. When the employee receives the SSN, file Form W-2c, Corrected Wage and Tax Statement, to show the employee's SSN.
Note that these are SSA's instructions to employers.

Meauxna - that is awesome information, thanks very much for posting it. I really appreciate it. You answered my question perfectly

Thanks again!

Darryl

Darryl..

Look on your copy of the ds230 you sent in.. did you check ssn required.

Colin

33a. Have you ever applied for a Social Security Number (SSN)?

Yes Give the number

Do you want the Social Security Administration to assign you an SSN (and

issue a card) or issue you a new card (if you have an SSN)? You must

answer "Yes" to this question and to the "Consent To Disclosure" in order

to receive an SSN and/or card.



Yes X NO ___

Colin

Darryl: ( see) Section 5
http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...om&page=dcf



5- The foreign spouse enters the US, and at the port of entry will have their MRIV endorsed with a stamp.

That is now proof of the immigrant’s new status: Permanent Resident. It is adequate evidence for most

purposes and is equal to the I-551card that will be mailed to them, also known as the Green Card.
The foreign spouse receives immediate work and travel authorization from the "green card stamp", and

will only need their social security card before starting to work. You may have already applied for this

on the visa application DS-230 II. If you have applied for the Social Security number via the visa

application, your SS Card s mailed to you separately within a month.

Your Green Card will be mailed to you in the same time frame.If you haven’t received anything within a month, it’s time for follow up.

Note: If you have been married for less than 2 years when you enter the US, your Permanent Resident

status has "conditions". A CR-1 PR is no less a PR than anyone else, but they do have an additional

step to take 2 years after they enter the US. Please see the Guides for Removal of Conditions (form I-751).



The visa resulting from a DCF case is the same Immigrant Visa that one would get by filing I-130 in the US: CR-1 or IR-1.

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Colin

Colin is right on point - as is Meauxna. Check your forms - you may have already applied for the SSN, which would arrive one month later or so.
Guys your rock!!!! And no, I'm not on drugs, I'm just happy our processes are beggining to m-o-v-e again!!!
p.s. Besides we got tax return $$$$ today, and THAT makes even a desperate VJ'er happpppy.