Work while waiting for Green Card?

[Lindymay92 0]

Hello there,

 

When entering the US on a CR-1 visa we were told my husband couldn’t work until the GC arrived in the mail. But I’ve read online in some pages that with the validated visa it is legal to begin working. Does anyone have experience with this and if you did begin interviewing for jobs, how to reassure the business that you’re able to legally begin working? 

[Crazy Cat 41,974]

10 minutes ago, Lindymay92 said:

Hello there,

 

When entering the US on a CR-1 visa we were told my husband couldn’t work until the GC arrived in the mail. But I’ve read online in some pages that with the validated visa it is legal to begin working. Does anyone have experience with this and if you did begin interviewing for jobs, how to reassure the business that you’re able to legally begin working? 

The endorsed CR-1 visa Is the Green card until the plastic one arrives.....with full benefits as the plastic card.  

 

Edit:  A plastic card is only evidence of status....as is the endorsed CR-1 visa.........both are sufficient evidence for authority to work.

Edited January 30, 2020 by missileman

[Crazy Cat 41,974]

https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/acceptable-documents/list-documents/form-i-9-acceptable-documents

 

"Foreign passport containing a Form I-551 stamp or Form I-551 printed notation"

[igoyougoduke 1,660]

51 minutes ago, Lindymay92 said:

Hello there,

 

When entering the US on a CR-1 visa we were told my husband couldn’t work until the GC arrived in the mail. But I’ve read online in some pages that with the validated visa it is legal to begin working. Does anyone have experience with this and if you did begin interviewing for jobs, how to reassure the business that you’re able to legally begin working? 

CR-1 is already an immigrant visa into US. so yes he can pickup job applications right after customs  

[Mike E 11,740]

1 hour ago, Lindymay92 said:

When entering the US on a CR-1 visa we were told my husband couldn’t work until the GC arrived in the mail. 

Who told you that?

 

Any I-551 document (including a GC)  is proof of authorization to work.   A stamped (endorsed) CR-1 visa is an I-551.

 

Anyway, your husband isn't required to show his GC or passport + CR-1 to work. He just needs to show a SS card that doesn't have the words limiting it for work, plus a state ID. He can the former from the SS office if he doesn't have one yet. He can get the latter with his I-551, passport, and SS card.

 

https://www.uscis.gov/i-9

 

See List B - ID card issued by state

 

See List C -  SS card 

 

That's all he needs to show. Any employer who demands more is breaking the law.

 

When I became an LPR, after I-9s started, I just showed my SS card and DL. Before I-9s, I just used my I-551 stamp in my passport until my GC arrived.

 

 

Edited January 30, 2020 by Mike E

[pushbrk 12,963]

Legality and logistics are different things.  While it is true the immigrant is immediately authorized to work, the stamp and visa are not sufficient to satisfy the IRS form I-9 an employer is required to have on file.  Some employers are knowledgeable enough of the process and comfortable putting the I-9 in the file AFTER the Social Security Card and Green Card come in the mail.  Some are not.  However, without a Social Security number, getting on the actual payroll and getting paid can be a sticking point.

 

In most cases, immigrants do not start employment until Green Card and Social Security Card are in hand.

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Working & Traveling During US Immigration forum.