Purrikitty

You have many misconceptions about this process.  I'll try to clarify some of them.
 
1) You are married, so you are no longer eligible for the K-1. After your next visit, you can petition her for a CR-1 visa.
 
2) I-130 petitions for spouses are not adjudicated at service centers based on where you live, so moving to a different state is irrelevant.  Accepted petitions are batched to the service centers from the lockbox based on some secret USCIS algorithm.  
 
Yes, US immigration is expensive.  Visits are expensive.  The process is time-consuming.  All of these factors should weigh in when we choose overseas partners.
 
As far as the vaccine requirements, that is not a US immigration issue.  If it becomes a barrier to seeing your wife though, you may have to reconsider your stance on the vaccine.
 
Good luck - sounds like you need it.
 

It was volunteered. I was called up, the address confirmed, and the officer started telling me how to go about getting a social security number. I was confused and wasn't sure what to say after I told them what I had checked on the form and the officer told me to go anyway. 
 
Sounds like I should just book the appointment to go and grab it though, or at least discuss it with the SSA, so I'll do that today. Thank you everyone for your advice! I appreciate it

Does not take a few weeks anymore. It is literally in the system instantly( It's done electronically now). Back in the end of 2018 when my wife came thru LAX POE, on Sunday night, we went to the SS office Monday morning ( About 13 hours after POE), and she was in the computer. SS card a week later.

Great.  Some people who marked the box on the DS-260 receive the SS card within a few days or weeks.....while some don't.  Some people easily get appointments at SSA...some don't....good luck.

I agree with you regarding CBP, but of course we do not know the entire conversation that took place when the OP entered.  As to waiting, I found out when my cousins came over on DVs, it was easier to just go down to the SSA and apply even though they also checked the box on the DS260.  I know with Covid, getting an appointment at the SSA is more difficult, but still doable especially is someone has a job prospect, or wants to start working immediately.  In my cousin's case, they wanted to start working ASAP, so rather than wait in the dark hoping the feds transfer information efficiently, they had their SSNs in about 5 days.

He may have known someone who went thru the process and had issues like those do have for K1

I wish CBP would all mention this to everyone when they first enter into the USA. I suggest you ring your local office and book an appointment as they can take several weeks (especially during this time of Covid shutdowns.)  Book the appointment and if you SSN does happen to turn up by chance, you can always cancel the appointment you already booked. Best of Luck. 

Dayton shows 2 offices open so u can call and make an appointment
but give it a few weeks as your information from POE might not yet be in the system to trigger the SS ds 260 request to do the number
 
no harm in going but the system for USCIS to process it ,  does work / that's how our was done
 

Ah, lovely! Thanks so much. I might take a leaf out of your book @Daphne K and start sending out a few CVs before I leave in a few days. What a clever idea!
 
Hopefully the social security number doesn't take too long to arrive in the event they withhold pay without it. Eep! 😬

After entry via an IR-1, you can immediately start work.  Your stamped IR-1 serves as a full-fledged Green Card until the plastic one arrives.  However, some employers will, likely, require a SSN before paying you. 
 
Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict when you will receive your SS card.  You might have to go to a local SSA office. 

I started applying as soon as I had my visa in hand and my flight booked (was still in my home country), had my job interview 2 days after arriving in the US and started my job 2 weeks later 👍🏻

Hi all, my passport with visa inside was returned to me today (issued September 9th, 2021) and we are over the moon! I never received my "Welcome to America" letter at the end of my interview, but this letter was included alongside my passport. So if you didn't receive one at your interview but you were approved, it's likely coming in the mail with your passport!
 
We are planning to make the final move in January, after I recover from surgery for cancer. Thank you so much to this forum for the advice and morale over these last months. ❤ VJ family is invaluable!

Hi all, my passport with visa inside was returned to me today (issued September 9th, 2021) and we are over the moon! I never received my "Welcome to America" letter at the end of my interview, but this letter was included alongside my passport. So if you didn't receive one at your interview but you were approved, it's likely coming in the mail with your passport!
 
We are planning to make the final move in January, after I recover from surgery for cancer. Thank you so much to this forum for the advice and morale over these last months. ❤ VJ family is invaluable!

Based on the evidence so far, I personally think vaccinations have worked quite well for majority. If you compare the time before and after vaccination there is a clear visible drop in the number of cases/deaths overall across the globe. Things were shut down because people were dying due to the virus and people/families suffered a lot particularly with the delta variant. Anyways it's everyone personal decision to get vaccinated or not and I totally respect that.
 
On the contrary, it really amazes me why US has different rules for immigrants. Why is it mandatory to get vaccinated when an outsider wants to move to US but their own citizens are free to take their own decisions and there is no mandate  

I’m sorry this is causing you anguish.
 
It is not the end of the world though. There is provision for waiver on religious and moral grounds. You would need to apply for this waiver providing your reasons and proof for why you do not wish to get vaccinated. USCIS will make the decision or whether or not to grant the waiver.
 
If there is a medical reason for you not to be vaccinated (such as you are allergic) the panel physician can also provide you with a waiver.
 
I will say though, if you are not getting the vaccine simply because you are scared of it, don’t be. There is a lot of false news out there about it for political reasons. The virus is very dangerous, and I hope you will protect yourself and those around you.
 
I sincerely hope you find a way to be with your partner. Would your partner be able to move to Canada instead?

Congratulations! And I am so sorry to hear about your cancer, but I hope the surgery goes well! 

Hi all, my passport with visa inside was returned to me today (issued September 9th, 2021) and we are over the moon! I never received my "Welcome to America" letter at the end of my interview, but this letter was included alongside my passport. So if you didn't receive one at your interview but you were approved, it's likely coming in the mail with your passport!
 
We are planning to make the final move in January, after I recover from surgery for cancer. Thank you so much to this forum for the advice and morale over these last months. ❤ VJ family is invaluable!

Hi all, my passport with visa inside was returned to me today (issued September 9th, 2021) and we are over the moon! I never received my "Welcome to America" letter at the end of my interview, but this letter was included alongside my passport. So if you didn't receive one at your interview but you were approved, it's likely coming in the mail with your passport!
 
We are planning to make the final move in January, after I recover from surgery for cancer. Thank you so much to this forum for the advice and morale over these last months. ❤ VJ family is invaluable!

Hi all, my passport with visa inside was returned to me today (issued September 9th, 2021) and we are over the moon! I never received my "Welcome to America" letter at the end of my interview, but this letter was included alongside my passport. So if you didn't receive one at your interview but you were approved, it's likely coming in the mail with your passport!
 
We are planning to make the final move in January, after I recover from surgery for cancer. Thank you so much to this forum for the advice and morale over these last months. ❤ VJ family is invaluable!

Hi all, my passport with visa inside was returned to me today (issued September 9th, 2021) and we are over the moon! I never received my "Welcome to America" letter at the end of my interview, but this letter was included alongside my passport. So if you didn't receive one at your interview but you were approved, it's likely coming in the mail with your passport!
 
We are planning to make the final move in January, after I recover from surgery for cancer. Thank you so much to this forum for the advice and morale over these last months. ❤ VJ family is invaluable!

Hi all, my passport with visa inside was returned to me today (issued September 9th, 2021) and we are over the moon! I never received my "Welcome to America" letter at the end of my interview, but this letter was included alongside my passport. So if you didn't receive one at your interview but you were approved, it's likely coming in the mail with your passport!
 
We are planning to make the final move in January, after I recover from surgery for cancer. Thank you so much to this forum for the advice and morale over these last months. ❤ VJ family is invaluable!

Hi all, my passport with visa inside was returned to me today (issued September 9th, 2021) and we are over the moon! I never received my "Welcome to America" letter at the end of my interview, but this letter was included alongside my passport. So if you didn't receive one at your interview but you were approved, it's likely coming in the mail with your passport!
 
We are planning to make the final move in January, after I recover from surgery for cancer. Thank you so much to this forum for the advice and morale over these last months. ❤ VJ family is invaluable!

Hi all, my passport with visa inside was returned to me today (issued September 9th, 2021) and we are over the moon! I never received my "Welcome to America" letter at the end of my interview, but this letter was included alongside my passport. So if you didn't receive one at your interview but you were approved, it's likely coming in the mail with your passport!
 
We are planning to make the final move in January, after I recover from surgery for cancer. Thank you so much to this forum for the advice and morale over these last months. ❤ VJ family is invaluable!

Hi all, my passport with visa inside was returned to me today (issued September 9th, 2021) and we are over the moon! I never received my "Welcome to America" letter at the end of my interview, but this letter was included alongside my passport. So if you didn't receive one at your interview but you were approved, it's likely coming in the mail with your passport!
 
We are planning to make the final move in January, after I recover from surgery for cancer. Thank you so much to this forum for the advice and morale over these last months. ❤ VJ family is invaluable!

Hi all, my passport with visa inside was returned to me today (issued September 9th, 2021) and we are over the moon! I never received my "Welcome to America" letter at the end of my interview, but this letter was included alongside my passport. So if you didn't receive one at your interview but you were approved, it's likely coming in the mail with your passport!
 
We are planning to make the final move in January, after I recover from surgery for cancer. Thank you so much to this forum for the advice and morale over these last months. ❤ VJ family is invaluable!