Thread: Russian couple moving to the USA - any advise from others that did it?

Originally Posted by Doomer

Shouldn't be a problem to confirm the degrees for this profession
English and driving experience - these two things should be in their priority list
Since they moving they obviously need a place to live, they need to start looking before they move
Because they don't have social security numbers (and won't get them in first couple months)

Nope.
Green card holders are officially referred as lawful permanent residents.
Social Security Cards are a half hour process (I don't live in a busy metro area, YMMV) for my J-1 kids.

Bring Green Card, photo ID, Passport, all the ID they have. New numbers need proof of birth date.

SS offices are in most larger towns (Hyannis, MA here for size comparison).
Multilingual. I'm a bastard so I make the kids do it in English though.

http://www.ssa.gov/multilanguage/Russian/SS-5-RU.pdf
Application in Russian

The United States Social Security Administration

Oh, one of the Natalias hit the lottery.

Originally Posted by capecoddah

Nope.
Green card holders are officially referred as lawful permanent residents.
Social Security Cards are a half hour process (I don't live in a busy metro area, YMMV) for my J-1 kids.

Bring Green Card, photo ID, Passport, all the ID they have. New numbers need proof of birth date.

SS offices are in most larger towns (Hyannis, MA here for size comparison).
Multilingual. I'm a bastard so I make the kids do it in English though.

http://www.ssa.gov/multilanguage/Russian/SS-5-RU.pdf
Application in Russian

The United States Social Security Administration

Ummm... maybe it has changed in the last two years, but two years ago it was taking about 30 days for them to process a SS card for a new PR and that was here in the Washington, DC area.

You also need to make certain you have the documentation they require...

Unless by any chance they filed for one with their application???
There are two ways you can apply:

• You can apply in your home country before you come to the United States when filing an application for an immigrant visa with the U.S. Department of State. In almost all cases, if you apply for a Social Security number and card with your immigrant visa application, you do not have to visit a Social Security office in the United States.

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Originally Posted by rockzmom

Ummm... maybe it has changed in the last two years, but two years ago it was taking about 30 days for them to process a SS card for a new PR and that was here in the Washington, DC area.

You also need to make certain you have the documentation they require...

Unless by any chance they filed for one with their application???
There are two ways you can apply:

• You can apply in your home country before you come to the United States when filing an application for an immigrant visa with the U.S. Department of State. In almost all cases, if you apply for a Social Security number and card with your immigrant visa application, you do not have to visit a Social Security office in the United States.

I've been doing it for 10 years.
J-1 visa holders. Both under my employ and others. Until last year they could show up with no job / sponsor.
Last month I brought 2 Russians to the SS office in Hyannis and was out in 30 minutes.
Sign in, take a number. Fill out form. Called into office, submit form, show Visa and Passport. Issued card.
Drove around for a while, got ice cream cones and back to the motel. Filling in tax forms within an hour. 72 hours after they landed in NY.
Returning J-1s use "their number" (Ilya from last year was bummed he didn't get ice cream this year).

Same process for H-2b visa holders.

I need all employees to have a valid SSN within a week of hire. Theoretically I could run a SSNVS (Social Security Number Verification Service) but I know they are legal and didn't swipe an SSN.
The local Brazilians get checked! Over-stayed visas are common, and I had 2 women give me the same SSN...


J-1 Visa Basics

The Exchange Visitor (J) non-immigrant visa category is for individuals approved to participate in work-and study-based exchange visitor programs. Participants are integral to the success of the program. Here you can learn more about obtaining the J-1 Visa and other relevant visas.

J-1 Visa Basics | J-1 Visa

Chaika,

Thank you for the links!

Scott

Originally Posted by chaika

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Originally Posted by capecoddah

I've been doing it for 10 years.

Good for you
I've done it several times for H-1 holders
Takes about 5 weeks