What steps to become a U.S.Citizen after activating trip to the U.S with DV visa

[kritvichu]

My wife went to pick up our DV visa from the U.S embassy last week. Besides our passports with DV visas stamped on next page, the officer gave 2 sealed envelops (For me and my wife) and a piece of paper containing the information on SSN. She asked the officer how many years it take to be eligible for applying the U.S citizen, and he said it takes about 5 years. There is no more additional paper. On that day I didn't go with her. Yet, so far there are some questions I don't know where to find an answer. I would be gladly appreciate if anyone here can kindly give me some information.

1). As I know, we must travel to the U.S before the visa expired by the end of Nov. When we go to the U.S, does it mean it will start the process of activating our green card and SSN right?

2).During waiting for greencard and SSN, can we apply for a job right away? or we need to wait until receiving it first?

3).I used to study in the U.S. and I had a Tax payer ID number, look so similar to SSN but not. In DS230 and during interview at the embassy, I made a request for SSN. So, Does the coming issued SSN use the same number as my Tax ID number I had before? If not the same, does it mean i need to re-start building my credit from the ground zero or my old credit score history will be automatically transferred to the issued SSN?

4).I heard many didn't receive SSN after living for many weeks. So, Should we wait for SSN in the mail in the first 7 days and if not receiving any, we can go to Social Dept to apply for it right away?

5).What steps to take after these to become a U.S citizen? Will I get an instruction from immigration or from any dept. soon we get there?

6).From Q.5, is there any fees related? What would happen if we pay any fee or send any document or any application late? Does it cause us to lose our green card or any permanent residentship there?

 

[Gerindo]

1). As I know, we must travel to the U.S before the visa expired by the end of Nov. When we go to the U.S, does it mean it will start the process of activating our green card and SSN right?

Right. Once you arrived in the U.S Port of Entry, the immigration officer will take the brown envelope and he/she will stamp your passport as a sign that you enterted the U.S as a legal Permanent Resident. From there, just wait until they send you the Green Card and the SSN Card in 2-4 weeks. If you need to get your SSN as soon as possible (for work purposes), go to the local SSN office and show your immigrant visa. They will give you the number and possibly send you the SSN card if they haven't send it to you.

2).During waiting for greencard and SSN, can we apply for a job right away? or we need to wait until receiving it first?

You don't need the green card to apply for a job. The visa and the stamp in your passport will act as a temporary green card that is good for 1 year.

As far as for SSN, go to the local SSN office in the town you live and ask them for a temporary card or some kind of letter. Most employer won't hire you unless you can show some proof of SSN card. This way, you don't need to wait until the SSN card arrive in the mail.

3).I used to study in the U.S. and I had a Tax payer ID number, look so similar to SSN but not. In DS230 and during interview at the embassy, I made a request for SSN. So, Does the coming issued SSN use the same number as my Tax ID number I had before? If not the same, does it mean i need to re-start building my credit from the ground zero or my old credit score history will be automatically transferred to the issued SSN?

Taxpayer ID is different than SSN. The taxpayer ID record your credit history differently than SSN. It mostly record you earning and your taxes paid to the IRS. Credit companies won't be able to locate your credit history through your taxpayer ID number. So, when you get your SSN, you will get a different number, and you will have to start building a new credit using that new SSN.

4).I heard many didn't receive SSN after living for many weeks. So, Should we wait for SSN in the mail in the first 7 days and if not receiving any, we can go to Social Dept to apply for it right away?

I would recommend go tot he SSN office as soon as you get to the U.S. Most likely they will send you another copy of SSN card. Don't worry, you won't get penalized for having 2 SSN cards.

5).What steps to take after these to become a U.S citizen? Will I get an instruction from immigration or from any dept. soon we get there?

You can find these steps easily over the internet. The Welcome Letter from the USCIS is nothing but a pamphlet that tells your rights and prviledges as a Permanent Resident, but not how to become a U.S Citizen. You will not be given an instruction how to become a U.S Citizen.

Here is a link that will explain to you how to become a U.S Citizen: http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/M-618.pdf

Basically, first you need to fullfill the requirements as a Permanent Resident:
1. Live in the U.S. for at least five years as a permanent resident (or three years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen).
2. Are present in the U.S. for at least 30 months out of the past five years (or 18 months out of the past three years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen).
3. Live within a state or USCIS district for at least three months before you apply.

Then, you need to go to a Naturalization process. Which has the requirement of:
1. Live in the U.S. as a permanent resident for a specific amount of time (Continuous Residence).
2. Be present in the U.S. for specific time periods (Physical Presence).
3. Spend specific amounts of time in your state or USCIS district (Time in State or USCIS District).
4. Behave in a legal and acceptable manner (Good Moral Character).
5. Know English and information about U.S. history and government (English and Civics).
6. Understand and accept the principles of the U.S. Constitution (Attachment to the Constitution).

After that, you will need to submit form N-400 with the fees, and supporting documents to USCIS and wait for naturalization exam and interview. If you pass, you will be given a time where you'll take the oath to become a U.S Citizen.

6).From Q.5, is there any fees related? What would happen if we pay any fee or send any document or any application late? Does it cause us to lose our green card or any permanent residentship there?

Do you mean fees to become a U.S Citizen? You will have 5 years to think about it and to research about the fees and the procedures. Go to the USCIS website to find more information about it. There is no such thing as too late for applying U.S Citizen. You can be a U.S Permanent Resident for the rest of your life if you want too. Applying for U.S Citizen is optional and is available only if you have fulfilled all the requirements to become one.

 

[kritvichu]

Gerindo, you've been helping me a lot since my first few posts last year and now you're helping me again and clarifying things I don't know. Thanks a lot brother. Your information is such valuable for me. It is enlighten my knowledge on immigration process.

For somehow, the link you provideded me is not working for some reason. I'll check it another time. Also, I have few more questions to ask about the process of renewing a greencard.

1).As I know, we will get a one year greencard on the first time we step in the U.S., when should we send an application to renew the card?

2).Does it have any penalty for late renewing card?

3).How many times do we need to renew the card? every year?

4).How much does it cost to renew?

 

[Gerindo]

1).As I know, we will get a one year greencard on the first time we step in the U.S., when should we send an application to renew the card?

The temporary one year green card is the visa on your passport. It is used to apply for jobs, entry to the U.S, and proof that you're a U.S Permanent Resident. It serve as temporary until the actual green card arrived in the mail. You will not need to send any application. The brown envelope that you will give to the immigration officer at the airport is the application. Once you arrived in the U.S, wait 2-4 week, and you'll get the green card in the mail.

2).Does it have any penalty for late renewing card?

As far as I know, there is no penalty fee for late renewing card. But you can be penalized by the U.S Government for having an expired card.

3).How many times do we need to renew the card? every year?

The green card is good for 10 years since the date issued. So, you may renew it every 10 years.

4).How much does it cost to renew?

$290 + $80 Biometric fee = $370

 

[kritvichu]

Gerindo, again. Thank you for your information. I am appreciated.