Question about green card and SSN !!

[VN10 0]

Hi everyone !

I got in usa by IR1 visa, so how long will i have and do i need to do more paper ? last week we went to the office for apply SSN but the staff said i have to wait for green card come first. is it right ? i hope will get your answer soon. Thanks very much and happy lunnar new year !

[BinhJerome 14]

That does not sound right, I have heard many people go and get the ss card right after they come to the US.

[VN10 0]

yes, i heard that but may be depend on state, im staying in michigan now.

[ScottThuy 140]

You should have checked the box on the DS 230 that provides for a SS # and the card to be sent not too long after you arrive US....

[Ban Hammer 12,861]

moved from vietnam regional to Working & Traveling prior to getting a Green Card

This section also covers getting a Social Security Number (SSN) and is for general discussion on all these topics.

[I'm Gone 60]

RM 00202.315 Enumeration At Entry

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100202315

Once you have been here at least three weeks, you need to go back into a Social Security office or Card Center, Take your Form I-551 (Green Card) or the Immigrant visa with the I-551 language and passport and if you have one available your birth certificate. Have them check to see if you have a pending application. If no application is pending you need to submit an application. Ask to speak with a manager if they won't look for a pending application and/or let you submit an application.

Now if you want to go in sooner than three weeks just to see if you have been assigned an SSN, that's OK, but I wouldn't apply until you wait three weeks or you could possibly be assigned two SSNs.

http://www.ssa.gov/ssnvisa/whatyou_need.htm

http://www.ssa.gov/ssnvisa/Handout_11_1.html

"We will assign you an SSN and issue you a Social Security card after you arrive in the United States. If you already have an SSN, we will issue you a replacement SSN card. We will mail your SSN card to the U.S. mailing address where the Department of Homeland Security will send your Permanent Resident Card. You should receive your Social Security card within 3 weeks after you arrive"

Edited February 15, 2010 by I Quit

[lindal24 1]

Don't rush into getting your SSN too quickly--you may be surprised or disappointed. If you filed IR-1/CR-1 and you check off box 43a on the form DS-230 as Scott mentioned, they typically send the SSN card to you within 3 weeks (maybe sooner) of your arrival to the US.

When my husband got here, I called to see if we can get it early and ended up with a headache from all the numbers we called (but no wasted gas b/c we never went to the SSN Administration office). It ended up getting here about 2 weeks after arrival (pretty quick...).

If you find that you've been here over a month and still don't have it, that's probably when I'd start calling...

[hniHnitsuJ 8]

yes, i heard that but may be depend on state, im staying in michigan now.

If my memory serve me right. Yes, you have to wait for receiving your GC befor Applying for your SSN. These are both lady from SSN told me. GC departmen links with SSN. Once you received your GC, it will automatic link all your information from GC to SSN. I remember I took my wife to apply for SSN, and their ask me to come back whenever I received my GC.

I am from California. I hope this will help.

good luck.

Loi and Suong

[I'm Gone 60]

If my memory serve me right. Yes, you have to wait for receiving your GC befor Applying for your SSN.

No yiu don't. Wait three weeks and then apply if no application is found pending. Your Machine Readable Immigrant Visa (MRIV) with the I-551 language works just as well as your Form I-551 (Green Card),

[VN10 0]

Thanks for all your helping . i think i should wait for green card, it will be better for apply SSN then.

[I'm Gone 60]

Thanks for all your helping . i think i should wait for green card, it will be better for apply SSN then.

Then why did you ask?

[M.O 6]

[VN10 0]

I just got letter from uscis that said welcome notice and on letter have receipt number . isnt it green card right ? how long i will get it. thanks for answer ! have a nice day.

@ I Quit : i didnt know how to apply SSN before green card come,cause office at my state didnt accept it while some people still can apply SSN before Gc,i was confused and just asked about that. isnt it ok with you. so sorry !