Can you get a job before you get your physical Green Card in the Mail?

[tdrysdale 2]

My husband (AU citizen) was just approved for his CR1. We were told we'd receive his visa to enter the country in his passport in a few days and that the physical Green Card wouldn't be processed until we enter the US. Does that mean that my husband can't secure employment until he has the physical Green Card in his possession or does the visa we will get in a few weeks act as an interim and he can go ahead and try to secure a job? 

 

[HRQX 4,145]

21 minutes ago, tdrysdale said:

or does the visa we will get in a few weeks act as an interim and he can go ahead and try to secure a job? 

A machine-readable immigrant visa (MRIV) usually has the following text on it: “UPON ENDORSEMENT SERVES AS TEMPORARY I-551 EVIDENCING PERMANENT RESIDENCE FOR 1 YEAR.” When a new immigrant first enters the U.S., U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will stamp the passport with an admission stamp that indicates the immigrant has permanent resident status and has the date the new immigrant entered the U.S. The employee’s foreign passport with the MRIV is evidence the employee has permanent residence status for 1 year from the date of admission.

https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/temporary-i-551-stamps-and-mrivs

 

Also an example of working before receiving SSN:

 

21 minutes ago, tdrysdale said:

My husband (AU citizen) was just approved for his CR1.

A reminder to pay $220 USCIS Immigrant Fee: https://my.uscis.gov/uscis-immigrant-fee

Edited January 4, 2021 by HRQX

[Unlockable 7,306]

Good news, your husband will have his passport stamped with an I551 which will act as an indicator that he is a legal resident. That stanp grants him authoritization to work. So he will be able to work once he enters even if he does not have the physical green card.

[Free Man 115]

And to get Social security card/ Number. If he opted for it to be mail to him, no further action is needed,  he will just have to wait for the social security to process it, otherwise he will have to go to the nearest social security office with his passport and they will issue him a card/ number

[HRQX 4,145]

1 minute ago, Ras Ous said:

And to get Social security card/ Number.

Can begin employment before SSN is issued. See JFH's experience:

4 minutes ago, HRQX said:

an example of working before receiving SSN:

 

 

[Free Man 115]

3 minutes ago, HRQX said:

Can begin employment before SSN is issued. See JFH's experience:

 

I don't know what kind of job is that,  but one thing I know if the employer do E verify,  they will need your social security number. What works for someone might not work for all. I was able to open a bank account without a SSN but others were not able to. My friend came with CR1 visa , he was given an offer with a Bank but  he was told to wait until he receive his SSN. 

Not disputing JFH experience,  its all possible. 

 

[HRQX 4,145]

55 minutes ago, Ras Ous said:

I don't know what kind of job is that,  but one thing I know if the employer do E verify,  they will need your social security number.

Even then, the employer can select "Awaiting Social Security number." https://www.e-verify.gov/faq/my-employee-applied-for-a-social-security-number-ssn-but-has-not-yet-received-it-what-should-i That selection also covers waiting for SSN after IV entry and requested SSN on DS-260: "e.g., the employee is a newly arrived immigrant"

 

Also: https://www.twc.texas.gov/news/efte/employees_without_ssns.html

It is certainly legal to hire someone who is authorized to work in this country, but who does not have a social security number or who chooses not to disclose it.

Edited January 4, 2021 by HRQX

[Ryan H 3,790]

Moved from IR-1/CR-1 Process & Procedures to Finding Work in America forum.