Working immediately after entry on CR-1 visa

[WhitneyBG 0]

Hello all! My first time asking a question here on VJ (so be gentle if I say something wrong/ignorant!)...

My husband has worked for 5 summers in the U.S. on a work/travel program. I believe the actual visa type he had each time was a J1.

We are now in the CR-1 visa process and I have a question regarding his ability to work upon entry to the U.S. as I have found conflicting information here on VJ and elsewhere on the web.

He already has a Social Security Number (provided when he first came to work a summer in the U.S.). My question is: can he work immediately when he gets here or will he have to wait until he gets his physical Green Card? Some posts I have read say that the endorsed visa from the POE is sufficient so long as he also has a SSN. Is this true? And another question (which may help answer the first), will be have the same SSN as he had as a J1 visa holder or will it change?

The reason why we care is that he pretty much has a guaranteed job back at the company where he worked on his J1 and he needs to be able to start ASAP.

I hope my question(s) make sense!

Thanks for any help or advice provided!

[Hypnos 6,579]

Social security numbers, once issued, are issued for life. Since he already has one he will not need to apply for another, and so will be able to work immediately after entering on an immigrant visa which itself acts as a temporary green card for a period of up to one year.

His physical green card should arrive 30 - 60 days after entry to the US.

Edited October 17, 2012 by Hypnos