Hi everyone,

My husband (UK citizen) was approved for his CR-1 visa in September and we entered the US on November 24, 2015. Everything seemed to go smoothly when we arrived at JFK and the immigration officer even asked us to double-check the address that his Permanent Residence Card and Social Security number would be sent to, which was correct. My husband then flew back to the UK in early December, and as of now, is planning to move over for good in late February/early March, while I've stayed in the US to 'set up shop'.

We accidentally neglected to pay the $165 immigration fee between receipt of the visa and flying to the US...and I'm totally kicking myself over not doing so immediately after receiving his visa! I realized this after several weeks had gone by, so I paid it exactly a month after arriving, on December 24. I do understand that this oversight on our part may cause delays in processing his documents.

Since paying the fee, I've been trying to track the status of these items on the USCIS website with no success. From what I gather, the receipt number starting with LND was only valid when the DOS was dealing with the case, and now that it's in the hands of USCIS (and the fee has been paid), it begins with IOE? I think? Yet I've typed in IOE followed by the same ten digits that had previously followed LND in the 'Enter receipt number' box and get an error message stating 'My Case Status does not recognize the receipt number entered.'

Can anyone shed some light on how I can check the status of these documents? Any advice would be very much appreciated!

Thanks,
Emily

I am not sure you can even check the status of this, because as of now he's already a permanent residence. Now that you've paid the fee, you're just waiting for the plastic card to arrive in the mail. I'm not sure there's a way to track that, specifically. Haven't seen anyone else in your situation.

He has proof of his status in his passport for 1 year, so don't get too stressed if you can't track the plastic card.

Rene

Thank you so much for the quick response, Noorah! That's reassuring. So, just to confirm, when he flies over in a couple of months, his passport will suffice since it contains the visa sticker?

What do you advise re: his social security number? He's actively applying for jobs over here, but I presume he needs to have received his SSN in order to get hired anywhere. I can't remember which form during the visa application process asked if you'd like the SSN automatically generated and sent to your house instead of applying for it in person, but we selected that first option.

I'm not sure how much of a delay the later payment might cause but as for evidence of payment/tracking ability, we received nothing more than an emailed receipt from ELIS for the payment and then nothing until the card dropped in the post (32 days after POE for me). I paid mine electronically prior to flying as I forgot all about it until after I'd left the embassy.

I did also notice, as you may have done, that once your passport had been processed we fell off the system. Prior to that point we at least had some kind of status telling us what was happening (even if it stayed like that for months and felt like nothing was moving!!!).

It's the endorsed visa that's important... but yes.


You presume incorrectly. He doesn't need a SSN to get a job.


It's really hit/miss. I suggest he goes to your local SSA office, and completes form SS-5.

Ian

The SSN from your Visa application is totally random, experience says go to your local office, at least you know its done

As for GC mine took 3 months from POE

This is an oft-made statement, and I can confirm it to be true, having started work six days after arriving in the US on a CR-1, at a large corporation in New York. I didn't get my SSN until the following week.

On this subject, I really resent having to pay another $165, when my husband came over in 2011, they just mailed you your PR Card.

On the plus side, who knows how much the fees will be next year!

Sorry for the delayed response. Thank you for clarifying those details! I suppose the fact that he already has been assigned an A-number helps when applying for jobs.

No, the A-number means nothing to an employer.

Rene

Fair enough. But if he technically doesn't need a SSN to get hired, how would the prospective company know that he's able to work in the US legally? Just by looking at the details on his visa page and the POE stamp, if the PRC hasn't been produced yet?

When he enters the USA, his immigrant visa will be endorsed with a 1-year permanent resident stamp. This is what he will show an employer as his proof of status and right to work in the USA.

Rene

Don't say "technically" when, in fact, you mean "actually". He actually doesn't need a SSN to get hired.


He will need to complete an I-9 when he get's hired. You're a USC aren't you? Surely you're familiar with the I-9. For the I-9, he will be required to show various documents that verify his ability to work legally. A SSN is not on the list... because you don't need one to work.

Ian

A SSN is on the list....but only in conjunction with another piece of ID such as a Drivers License.

Rene