Green Card

[jorge_and_rose 1]

Does my wife need to have the green card in hand to arrive in California? I know I have to pay the green card fee online once she has her visa but I was wondering if I needed to wait for the card to arrive before I can go pick her up in the Philippines. Thanks.

[craig5977 58]

You pay the fee online and after she arrives in the USA she will get her card a couple of weeks later. Her passport stamp is all you need to travel into the US along with her paperwork from the Embassy.

Good Luck and safe travels

[apple21 953]

The GC will be processed AFTER she arrives in the US using her immigrant visa. The purpose of the visa is to give her access in entering the US.

[jorge_and_rose 1]

You pay the fee online and after she arrives in the USA she will get her card a couple of weeks later. Her passport stamp is all you need to travel into the US along with her paperwork from the Embassy.

Good Luck and safe travels

As far as getting her airline ticket, I would need to get it from the Philippines right? I just tried to use my PAL miles to get her a one-way ticket here for February but PAL told me that if I was to get it over the phone I'd need to get a round-trip ticket since she has a Philippine passport. They told me I'd have to get it from the Philippines so they can see proper documentation.

[craig5977 58]

Yeah thats the problem I had buying tickets in USA on their website also, wanted me to be in country to do it.

Depends on the miles a round trip ticket may be more economical and it really does not matter the return date as she wont use it anyway. Just put a date for the return that gets you the best deal

A lot of people buy the round trip ticket as in most cases it is more economical.

Good Luck with it

[jorge_and_rose 1]

Yeah thats the problem I had buying tickets in USA on their website also, wanted me to be in country to do it.

Depends on the miles a round trip ticket may be more economical and it really does not matter the return date as she wont use it anyway. Just put a date for the return that gets you the best deal

A lot of people buy the round trip ticket as in most cases it is more economical.

Good Luck with it

I actually was able to get a ticket over the phone just now. They told me as long as we provide proper documentation, everything should be ok.

[Greenbaum 12,260]

It pays to call the airlines after getting a refusal with the notation that you must be in the Philippines to buy a ticket (which is hogwash). Just call back till you get the right person. Buying a ticket online from their website should get you pass all these imposed rules. I bought three tickets one way using PAL with connecting to Delta without any problems.

Sometimes you just have to do an "end around" to get over these obstacles.

[jorge_and_rose 1]

It pays to call the airlines after getting a refusal with the notation that you must be in the Philippines to buy a ticket (which is hogwash). Just call back till you get the right person. Buying a ticket online from their website should get you pass all these imposed rules. I bought three tickets one way using PAL with connecting to Delta without any problems.

Sometimes you just have to do an "end around" to get over these obstacles.

That's exactly what I did. I ended up talking to a girl that was very helpful.

[yannix 24]

 

That's exactly what I did. I ended up talking to a girl that was very helpful.

When dealing with airline phone agents (especially PAL)... you have to learn the HUACA (hang up and call again) trick. Basically HUACA until you hear what you want to hear

[Kevzil 2]

She doesn't have a greencard she has a fiancee visa that gives her access to enter USA. Once she gets here then you guys have 90 days to decide either to get married or not. After you get married that's when you apply for green card (2 year conditional). Goodluck!

[Hank_ 9,174]

She doesn't have a greencard she has a fiancee visa that gives her access to enter USA. Once she gets here then you guys have 90 days to decide either to get married or not. After you get married that's when you apply for green card (2 year conditional). Goodluck!

Psst! The OP is an IR/CR-1, they are already married, which is an immigrant visa, green card is issued within a couple weeks of arrival in USA (once all fees are paid)

[jorge_and_rose 1]

Psst! The OP is an IR/CR-1, they are already married, which is an immigrant visa, green card is issued within a couple weeks of arrival in USA (once all fees are paid)

Hi Hank, when my wife is here in the US, can we right away get her a SSN? Or would she have to wait for the green card to arrive?

[craig5977 58]

It will come automatically to you or you can go in and apply if you like, it takes a couple of days to show on the site that she is in the country.

Good Luck

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hi Hank, when my wife is here in the US, can we right away get her a SSN? Or would she have to wait for the green card to arrive?

You have already completed the paperwork for both, once your wife is in the states both will be coming (of course you have a fee to pay before getting the GC.)

[yannix 24]

 

Hi Hank, when my wife is here in the US, can we right away get her a SSN? Or would she have to wait for the green card to arrive?

If you chose the option to get the SSN card automatically (in your DS260), then it will come automatically. If you didn't, then a visit to the SSA office is required. The IR1/CR1 visa should suffice as proof to apply for an SSN and no need to wait for GC.