Unable to get SSN as a CR1 visa holder right now

[Sukie 1,489]

Statistically, from others on the VJ Journey, including us, only about 50% of the "Request a SSN" from the CR-1 paperwork ever go through.  The officer that admits you to the US has the "option" of clicking a box on his/her screen to send your info to the SSA office.  We had ticked the box to request a SSN, and when we inquired, there was no record.  I even specifically QUESTIONED the officer when my spouse came in to make sure the box was ticked on his system.  NOPE.

 

So the fact there was nothing in the system means your officer at secondary did not make the request.  Unfortunately, this is not unusual.  Hopefully you'll be on your way soon!

 

Sukie in NY

[Gabriel5454 26]

57 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

You just arrived in the US and more than likely your info is not yet processed 

you will find out that in the US one government body does not easily talk to another (right hand does not wash the left hand)

 

If you checked the right box on ds260 form USCIS Should be processing the SS #

 

When going to SS office ask for supervisor if the clerk is not helpful / you do have rights in the US

In the past this was true (that USCIS would forward information to SS) but this seems to be no longer the case.  Now every new immigrant will have to make an appointment at an SS office to receive a card (regardless of if they already requested one with USCIS).

[mam521 2,415]

My husband refers to those types of workers as "jobsworth types".  Lovely, eh?  One issue is that many of the jobsworth types don't even understand the instructions, which say you can apply as long as you have an endorsed, machine readable I-551, which is what you'll have in your passport.  I dealt with that with getting my kids' SSN's.  

 

In the meantime, you can still get a job, etc with that endorsed I-551.  Just familiarize yourself with the I-9 rules because many HR people don't appear to be.  They think you require it when the instructions clearly state you do not require to start work.  

 

Hopefully, this won't end up being a super painful, drawn out thing.  Hard to judge in the current climate!  

[mam521 2,415]

20 hours ago, appleblossom said:

I’ve just found this, turns out there is a freeze after all (hadn’t heard of it before and couldn’t find mention of it on main stream news sites). BUT….LPR’s are supposed to be exempt from it. 

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/social-security-will-stop-mailing-cards-to-3-million-people-report-says-it-could-cause-chaos-at-field-offices/ar-AA1Bkk7S

 

So I’d definitely go back and try somebody else. Good luck. 

In the article, it states it won't mail them to "newly naturalized citizens"...uh, I dunno about anyone else here, but I had to make an appointment and march my happy behind into a SSA office to show them my Certificate of Naturalization, proving I was now a citizen.  I've never heard of them sending new SSN's to newly naturalized citizens.  

 

Anyone else get a new SSN upon naturalization previously?  I'm curious now!

[JeanneAdil 6,894]

1 hour ago, Gabriel5454 said:

In the past this was true (that USCIS would forward information to SS) but this seems to be no longer the case.  Now every new immigrant will have to make an appointment at an SS office to receive a card (regardless of if they already requested one with USCIS).

According to SS Adminstration this has not changed

 

https://www.ssa.gov/ssnvisa/Handout_11_1.html

[PGA 304]

2 hours ago, Sukie said:

Statistically, from others on the VJ Journey, including us, only about 50% of the "Request a SSN" from the CR-1 paperwork ever go through. 

My wife checked the box but just in case we went to the SSA office on our arrival. I mentioned to the very nice young man that we checked the box, he said it wasn't in the system and I said "I heard it was hit or miss with checking the box." His response: "oh, there are hits?" First time I ever laughed at a government office.

  

Edited April 11 by PGA

[MTGentleman 4]

On 4/10/2025 at 4:16 PM, MTGentleman said:

Hi all!

 

Sorry for any formatting, I'm rather upset right now.

 

I entered the US on the 19th of March with my CR1 visa (got stamped in by my visa as CR1). All is good on that front.

I still haven't received my SSN so I rang up yesterday to make an appointment for today - it's after my appointment now from my local SSA Office.

 

Turns out that was absolutely pointless... apparently there's a freeze on Social Security numbers for permanent residents and other similar people at the moment for up to 90 days. There's nothing they can do at present. I have to try and see when I can expect my green card, go back to them, then they can try and expedite it. Currently? Nothing can be done, ridiculous. And they didn't even tell me about this freeze or anything!

 

Is anyone else in the same situation that can give any advice, kind words, or words of support?

 

Thanks,
Matthew

 

PS. I'm a British citizen married to my US Spouse (US Citizen)

I had the same incompetent idiot as last time, who was adamant there was a freeze on all new SSNs. We stood our ground, and he argued back explaining that I'd just have to wait for my green card to get my alien number to come back for them to expedite things. I showed him all my info, and explained that he was wrong because I have my details on my visa itself. He then argued back again stating that he'd worked there for 2 years and we were just like "well I'm not leaving until I get something". The incredibly rude clerk then stated that he could put me in a "worse state" by putting in my registration number on my visa and it would be flagged for 4 weeks while it is verified - absolute... Yeah! 

Anyway, in the end I didn't stand down at all and he typed information into his computer, then walked away with my passport. A few minutes later, he came back looking and sounding very sheepish, didn't say sorry, and just handed me a formal letter which says my SSN is being processed and will be sent out to me in the post - he, himself, just said that: "Your card will arrive in 5-14 business days" - he knew he'd messed up and was in the wrong! Finally getting somewhere! He didn't even ask for my birth certificate like he should have haha. I could have sworn at the guy I saw today, absolute...

[OldUser 8,955]

31 minutes ago, MTGentleman said:

I had the same incompetent idiot as last time, who was adamant there was a freeze on all new SSNs. We stood our ground, and he argued back explaining that I'd just have to wait for my green card to get my alien number to come back for them to expedite things. I showed him all my info, and explained that he was wrong because I have my details on my visa itself. He then argued back again stating that he'd worked there for 2 years and we were just like "well I'm not leaving until I get something". The incredibly rude clerk then stated that he could put me in a "worse state" by putting in my registration number on my visa and it would be flagged for 4 weeks while it is verified - absolute... Yeah! 

Anyway, in the end I didn't stand down at all and he typed information into his computer, then walked away with my passport. A few minutes later, he came back looking and sounding very sheepish, didn't say sorry, and just handed me a formal letter which says my SSN is being processed and will be sent out to me in the post - he, himself, just said that: "Your card will arrive in 5-14 business days" - he knew he'd messed up and was in the wrong! Finally getting somewhere! He didn't even ask for my birth certificate like he should have haha. I could have sworn at the guy I saw today, absolute...

🔥🔥🔥

[Scandi 4,263]

On 4/11/2025 at 10:37 AM, mam521 said:

In the article, it states it won't mail them to "newly naturalized citizens"...uh, I dunno about anyone else here, but I had to make an appointment and march my happy behind into a SSA office to show them my Certificate of Naturalization, proving I was now a citizen.  I've never heard of them sending new SSN's to newly naturalized citizens.  

 

Anyone else get a new SSN upon naturalization previously?  I'm curious now!

Not new SSNs, but new cards. I got my new card mailed to me after I naturalized (same SSN of course), but I definitely had to go in person first to show my documents. But this was also during the pandemic, right when the SSA offices started opening up to in-person services again. 

[Scandi 4,263]

5 hours ago, MTGentleman said:

I had the same incompetent idiot as last time, who was adamant there was a freeze on all new SSNs. We stood our ground, and he argued back explaining that I'd just have to wait for my green card to get my alien number to come back for them to expedite things. I showed him all my info, and explained that he was wrong because I have my details on my visa itself. He then argued back again stating that he'd worked there for 2 years and we were just like "well I'm not leaving until I get something". The incredibly rude clerk then stated that he could put me in a "worse state" by putting in my registration number on my visa and it would be flagged for 4 weeks while it is verified - absolute... Yeah! 

Anyway, in the end I didn't stand down at all and he typed information into his computer, then walked away with my passport. A few minutes later, he came back looking and sounding very sheepish, didn't say sorry, and just handed me a formal letter which says my SSN is being processed and will be sent out to me in the post - he, himself, just said that: "Your card will arrive in 5-14 business days" - he knew he'd messed up and was in the wrong! Finally getting somewhere! He didn't even ask for my birth certificate like he should have haha. I could have sworn at the guy I saw today, absolute...

That's unfortunately the "welcome" many legal immigrants get at the SSA, and most applicants probably give up thinking what they've been told is true. SSA has way too many employees not knowing what they're doing. It's probably not their fault that their management isn't keeping them up to date with new laws and regulations, but they can at least stop it with the attitude and go ask a manager or supervisor first before turning someone down. 

Today you taught this employee a lesson, and he will know better next time someone in your exact situation comes in for a SSN. Well done. 

[mam521 2,415]

12 hours ago, Scandi said:

Not new SSNs, but new cards. I got my new card mailed to me after I naturalized (same SSN of course), but I definitely had to go in person first to show my documents. But this was also during the pandemic, right when the SSA offices started opening up to in-person services again. 

I naturalized in 2023 and had to show my certificate and then received the new card, same number.  

 

@OldUser I think you naturalized more recently.  What steps did you take?

 

@MTGentleman glad to hear you stood your ground and got it sorted!  I wish more people would admit they don't know and ask someone who does...the SSA guy could have saved egg on his face if he'd just have spoken to a supervisor!  

[OldUser 8,955]

1 hour ago, mam521 said:

I naturalized in 2023 and had to show my certificate and then received the new card, same number.  

 

@OldUser I think you naturalized more recently.  What steps did you take?

In theory, new N-400 form edition asked whether I wanted to share citizenship status with SSA to update it automatically. 

 

I already have SS card without restriction. 

 

However, I still expected to get confirmation or new card.

 

To this day, I haven't received anything and planning to visit SSA office this or next week.

 

Is there a possibility to check citizenship status remotely (website, call)? This would save me a trip if it's already.