CR1 Spouse First Entry: Existing SSN, Updating Card

[sviva 2]

Hello,

 

My wife will soon be entering the US for the first time as an LPR with her CR1 visa. She wants to start working as soon as possible. She already has a social security number from a previous stay in the US, but the social security card says "VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION" and has her maiden name on it instead of her married name. During the DS-260, she selected the option to have an updated SSN card mailed. A few questions:

 

1. As a hypothetical question, would there be any issue with her working using her existing SSN before:

(a) going to the Social Security Office to apply for an updated card; or

(b) receiving the updated card after having applied for it.

It seems to me that the question hinges on whether the CR1 visa with the admission stamp (i.e., temporary green card) counts as "DHS authorization", but there may be more laws/regulations I am not aware of.

 

2. I have seen here and elsewhere that requesting the updated SSN card during the immigration process can be slow and hit-or-miss. Even though she made that request, is there anything stopping us from going to the Social Security Office on the first business day after her arrival and updating her immigration status + name? It seems like upon entry (i.e., with the stamped visa) we should have everything we need, even though the physical green card won't have arrived yet. It also seems like this would be the fastest and most reliable way to get the updated SSN card ASAP.

 

Would appreciate any insights.    

[Crazy Cat 46,269]

She will be a legal resident with full work authorization the minute she has her CR-1 visa endorsed upon arrival.   She can go to a local SSA office to have her SS card updated with her married name and the statement removed.  Good luck.