petegoatboy

Hi I'm new here, so be gentle.
My Wife and Daughter are both US citizens. I have just received my spouse Visa and have until the 3rd of Aug enter the USA.
Fortunately my Wife has family in L.A. so we will be staying with them until we get on our feet, hopefully not to long though.
I have a million questions of what to expect when I land in the US, so here goes.

What documents if any do they take off you when you go through Border control?
Does you Visa get updated to show a different expiration date or do they just stamp it?
How long does it take to receive your Green card? I have already paid the fee and filled out the form as requested on the letter I received with my Visa.
Social security number, I already applied for this, but just read a post about 95% of the applications are ignored when applied for with the D-260. Can I apply for jobs with out this and a Green card?

If anyone know of any telecommunications engineering/commissioning jobs available in the Los Angeles/Orange county area that would be very helpful.

We are pretty much starting from scratch because my Wife has been in the UK for the past 10 years.
So we will need to open bank accounts, buy/lease a vehicle, look at renting a house. Do I have to wait 2 years to build up credit before I can get on the housing market? Currently selling up in the UK so will have a deposit.

All pointers and help will be greatly received, or if you can point me in the direction of a post that already answer these questions that would be cool.

Many thanks,

Pete

JAJ

Your Green Card should arrive anywhere between a few weeks and a few months after arrival.

HOWEVER, your Immigrant Visa, when stamped on admission to the United States, acts as your temporary green card, valid for 1 year.

Social Security Number. Wait 10 days or so, then go to a Social Security office to apply for one. If they have already issued you one, they should be able to give it to you.

What documentation do you need to work? Understand the I-9 form and supporting documents required. http://www.uscis.gov/i-9

You should get a California drivers license (or state ID card) as soon as possible.

Out of interest, has your wife become a British citizen? If not, has she considered applying for naturalisation before she leaves?

Bob

Most of them you can just look down a bit and find the answers, either here or in the immigration section. The wiki, up top will also have a lot of the answers as well.

Anyway, welcome to BE and good luck with the move.

civilservant

What documents if any do they take off you when you go through Border control?

The large packet you receive with your visa.

Does you Visa get updated to show a different expiration date or do they just stamp it?

You receive an entry stamp next to the visa.

How long does it take to receive your Green card? I have already paid the fee and filled out the form as requested on the letter I received with my Visa.

As long as it takes, a few weeks to months is typical.

Social security number, I already applied for this, but just read a post about 95% of the applications are ignored when applied for with the D-260. Can I apply for jobs with out this and a Green card?

Yes you can. Most people go to the SSA Office and apply in person after a few weeks, they issue a number overnight and you go back the next day and get it.

Pulaski

Legally all you need to start work in the US is your I-551 visa stamp. There is nothing from an immigration perspective to stop you from reporting for work the moment you clear immigration at the airport.

You certainly do NOT need your green card, your visa stamp is sufficient, your lack of an SSN might spook some employers but larger employers and/ or ones with a competent HR department should be well aware of that. You should be prepared to show that you have applied for one.

I started with my first employer just a few days (5 IIRC) after arriving in the US, and it was about ten days before I got my SSN and six weeks before my green card arrived. My employer at that time was large and used to employing immigrants.

petegoatboy

Thanks everyone for the answers


Is there any benefit to my wife applying for naturalisation?

Pulaski

It will enable her to come and go as she pleases, not only to/from the UK, but also from any country in the European Onion.

BTW There is no equivalent "universal tax return requirement" for HMRC as there is for the IRS on US citizens. Once you've been gone past the end of a tax year, HMRC will forget about you unless you still have income or gains accrued in the UK.

petegoatboy

With the driving license do I need to take a test? Or can I just apply, I know that probably sound like a stupid question. I would have thought that a test is needed, I just want to make sure.
I know obviously I can rent a car and drive it on my UK license, How long can I do that for?
Thank God for forums. I had so many questions on the day of my interview at the embassy, but my brain went to mush.
Sorry to just bombard you with random questions.

Sally Redux

The embassy would not be the place to ask such questions.

You are supposed to get a California driver's license with 10 days of becoming resident, that is pretty much impossible but you should aim not to leave it too long. You take a multiple choice theory test, if you pass that you book a behind-the-wheel test.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/home/dmv.htm?lang=en

thinbrit

If the employer is a participant in E-Verify, and uses this as part of their hiring process, your lack of a Social Security Number may prevent them from hiring you.

Pulaski

The I-551 visa stamp should trump that, and a competent HR department should know as much. Unfortunately that doesn't mean they do (know as much).

thinbrit

It kinda depends.

E-Verify is mandatory for employers with Federal contracts or subcontracts that contain the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) E-Verify clause.

Although it doesn't apply to the OP, most employers in Arizona and Mississippi are also required to use E-Verify

(California law prohibits state municipalities from passing mandatory E-Verify ordinances).

Bob

It does feel like that at times

JAJ

Have you given any consideration to what happens to her U.K. Indefinite Leave to Remain once she leaves the country?
And are you aware of how difficult it is to gain a new spouse visa. A lot more difficult than it likely was for her first time around.