How Soon Can I Start Working After My CR-1 Approval

[JusticeWarrior67 3]

Hi, my CR-1 visa got approved on the 7th of this month which means that once i enter the U.S, I will automatically become a U.S Permanent Resident. However, I do not have a social security number yet so I'm just wondering...

how soon can i start working once i arrive to the states? I already applied for an SSN number on the DS 260 form so should i just wait for USCIS to send the card to me?

also, what kind of documents should i carry with me to the U.S?

and last and not least, when am i required to remove the conditions from my green card?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You can work the day you arrive, but for taxes you'll need a SSN. It usually takes a few weeks, or you can go down to the office (The social security administration, not USCIS) and ask for one directly.

You'll need to remove conditions in the 90 days before your GC expires (sometime in the window between the card expiring and 90 days before).

[JusticeWarrior67 3]

You can work the day you arrive, but for taxes you'll need a SSN. It usually takes a few weeks, or you can go down to the office (The social security administration, not USCIS) and ask for one directly.

You'll need to remove conditions in the 90 days before your GC expires (sometime in the window between the card expiring and 90 days before).

so the employer is not gonna ask me for an ssn number when i apply for a job? plus, i will also need the ssn for a driver license

[Merrytooth 5,748]

You probably need your ssn number when filling up the W-4 form for your employer.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

so the employer is not gonna ask me for an ssn number when i apply for a job? plus, i will also need the ssn for a driver license

Not when you apply, no. Only once are hired. Don't give anyone your SSN until you are hired.

[heyguy 12]

so the employer is not gonna ask me for an ssn number when i apply for a job? plus, i will also need the ssn for a driver license

You can start working without your SSN in hand, but you can't be paid until you provide your employer with your SSN. They may ask for proof that you've applied for your SSN after you're hired if you don't have it, yet. Harpa's right. You should never have to provide it before you're given a job offer and filling out the paperwork.

Edited September 19, 2016 by heyguy

[Ryan H 3,813]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Moving to the US and Your New Life In America forum; topic is about items that are post POE.

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

There is a guide somewhere on the social security website that I'm too lazy to pull up at the moment, but it basically states that you are allowed to start working once you have applied for the SSN. So, you needn't receive it yet and you must apply first.

[inloveVEN 46]

As a CR1, you are allowed to work as soon as you arrive at POE. You can also go to the local office of SSN, and ask for it. In any case they´ll give you a receipt. In my case the receipt say 2 weeks but arrived yesterday it means a week

[inloveVEN 46]

very important

You'll need to remove conditions in the 90 days before your GC expires (sometime in the window between the card expiring and 90 days before).

Edited September 20, 2016 by inloveVEN

[mollenne 11]

As far as documents go to bring to the US, depending on where you are applying for a job, you may want to bring paystubs from a previous employer, documents you would consider "important" -- birth certificate, etc.

It's a good idea to keep your important Israeli documents as well, such as info on social security in Israel, etc. -- I mention this from experience, as my husband brought all of these things with him when he moved to the US to be with me and he has needed a few of these documents for various reasons.

[IcezMan_IcezLady 582]

Lots of employers need the SSN on the day you sign the employment contract. And some jobs require SSN when filing the job application.

SSN should take atleast 2 weeks.. if you want it faster, go to SSA within few days of arrival to apply.

[ddtenor2 80]

Please be aware that checking the box on the DS-260 to apply for a SSN is not a guarantee. My fiance checked the box on his DS-160, but never received a SSN. It all depends on whether the official at POE sends the request for a SSN to the Social Security Administration. Wait 2 weeks, and if you haven't received a card by then, go to the local Social Security office. At that point, they should be able to tell you whether or not they received the request from USCIS.

Good luck in your journey!!

[Prystine 184]

Please be aware that checking the box on the DS-260 to apply for a SSN is not a guarantee. My fiance checked the box on his DS-160, but never received a SSN. It all depends on whether the official at POE sends the request for a SSN to the Social Security Administration. Wait 2 weeks, and if you haven't received a card by then, go to the local Social Security office. At that point, they should be able to tell you whether or not they received the request from USCIS.

Good luck in your journey!!

Based on your timeline, your Fiance came in on a K1 visa which it does state that you will NOT get a SSN by checking that box on the DS160 in the instructions when filling out that form as its based on the type of visa issued. Since the OP is coming in on a CR1 and marked it, she should receive the SSN in the mail as per the SSA's site about DS260: https://www.ssa.gov/ssnvisa/Handout_11_1.html

Different visas have different rules.

Edited September 20, 2016 by Prystine

[Soup Dragon 104]

Please be aware that checking the box on the DS-260 to apply for a SSN is not a guarantee. My fiance checked the box on his DS-160, but never received a SSN. It all depends on whether the official at POE sends the request for a SSN to the Social Security Administration. Wait 2 weeks, and if you haven't received a card by then, go to the local Social Security office. At that point, they should be able to tell you whether or not they received the request from USCIS.

Good luck in your journey!!

I had the same problem, checked the box, nothing showed up so I had to go to the office to get it sorted (turns out they had my first and middle names as one whole name so nothing matched with my visa paperwork and they couldn't find me on the system).

OP, definitely chase if it hasn't arrived in a couple of weeks.