Paul Hester

Hi all,

I'm a recent immigrant (arrived late Dec) with a CR1 category immigrant
visa. I just received my welcome letter containing my "A number" and a
note saying that I should hear from them within 30 days.

I have a few of questions, if someone can help:

- What is an "A number"?
- I expected the initial package to contain my social security number
and green card - when should I expect these to arrive?
- I need to travel back to NZ late Jan/early Feb. Is my welcome note
and "A number" sufficient to allow me entry back into the US, or do I
need to wait for my green card and social security number?
- Also, is there an official number I can call in the US to speak to a
human being? I keep getting caught in an automated telephone message
maze.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Paul

Nilda

A Number is your Alien Number.... You will receive your packet anytime within 30 days...I got mine after 2 weeks that I got my Welcome Letter. I would say wait for your actual greencard before you leave the country..

Finalizer

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] ups.com...
| Hi all,
|
| I'm a recent immigrant (arrived late Dec) with a CR1 category immigrant
| visa. I just received my welcome letter containing my "A number" and a
| note saying that I should hear from them within 30 days.
|
| I have a few of questions, if someone can help:
|
| - What is an "A number"?
| - I expected the initial package to contain my social security number
| and green card - when should I expect these to arrive?
| - I need to travel back to NZ late Jan/early Feb. Is my welcome note
| and "A number" sufficient to allow me entry back into the US, or do I
| need to wait for my green card and social security number?
| - Also, is there an official number I can call in the US to speak to a
| human being? I keep getting caught in an automated telephone message
| maze.
|
| Any help would be appreciated.
|
| Thanks,
|
| Paul
|

You arrived as a CR1 so you must have an Immigrant Visa!
The endorsed Immigrant Visa ( stamped by the Immigration Officer at the POE)
is the equivalent and it carries with it the same purpose and intent as the
actual Green Card (I-551). It would be valid for one year from the date you
entered the US.
The A# is clearly printed on that Immigrant Visa at the top right portion of
the page. It's an 8-digit number (9-digits if it starts with "0").

meauxna

Welcome to America!
Your Green Card and Social Security card arrive separately, from different agencies. The GC should arrive within 4 weeks of your entry, but you could give it closer to 6-8 before following up (via an InfoPass appintment to your District Office). If you receive a Welcome Letter, you'll know your card will be coming behind shortly.

The Social Security card must have been requested on your visa application form DS-230 to be issued automatically. If you don't see anything in the mail from them within 6-8 weeks of entry, it may be that your Enumeration At Entry application didn't work; it usually does, but sometimes does not. Apply at your local SSA office (ssa.gov to locate) with form SS-5.

You are a Permanent Resident and can find information on your status regarding travel and work at uscis.gov on the page "Now That You Are A Permanent Resident". As stated, your endorsed Immigrant Visa is a sufficient travel document if you do not have your Green Card.

Give up on the phone calls--you probably won't get any info from them anyway. You don't have anything to follow up on yet, but if/when you do, visit your District Office in person if at all possible.

Your A number, or Alien Number, is your unique identifyer; you'll be using it at various times in the future and it will be printed on the front of your GC.