just passed Green Card interview

[adnan_vijay]

I just passed my green card interview.

I was given my visa and package of documents to be handed to customs on first entry into the USA.

I was told the customs will submit the documents once I enter the USA and my Green Card will be mailed to me.

My questions is :

When can I start to work legally in the USA?

can I only work legally when I have received my USA Green Card?

 

[Jackolantern]

When can I start to work legally in the USA?

As soon as you are admitted into the US with the immigrant visa.

However, if you don't have a Social Security number, most companies won't pay you until you get the number although they'll usually let you start working if you show proof of legal status (your GC or immigrant visa), and proof of having applied for an SSN. It takes about 2-4 weeks for the card to arrive after you apply for it at a Social Security office. Then once you have the SSN they'll give you the back pay.

If you already have an SSN from prior time spent in the US, you would use the same number to work immediately, although it is advisable for you to change the card itself. As a permanent resident, the new card will have the restrictive wording removed, but will still have the same old number.