“I entered the US on an immigrant visa after consular processing and paid the immigrant fee before entry. How long does it usually take for the green card to arrive, and how long does it take to receive my SSN if I requested it on the DS-260?”
You became a permanent resident when you were admitted on the immigrant visa, not when the plastic card arrives. Your endorsed immigrant visa can serve as temporary proof for one year from admission.
These steps protect delivery and tell you exactly when to follow up with each agency.
Starting on your entry date
Mark the two follow-up dates
Mark day 21 for the SSN and day 90 for the Green Card. Because you requested the SSN on the DS-260, SSA says you ordinarily do not need another application or an initial Social Security office visit. (SSA DS-260 Permanent Resident Handout; USCIS Green Card Delivery Tool.)
Requisitos
Within 10 days of moving
Update both agencies if you move
Report the change to USCIS at https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange and update USPS separately. If your SSN has not arrived, also call SSA at 1-800-772-1213; USPS will not update your USCIS address or forward USCIS mail. (USCIS Address Change Guidance; SSA POMS RM 10205.600.)
Requisitos
While the Green Card is pending
Keep your temporary residence proof
Your passport with the endorsed immigrant visa is evidence of permanent residence for one year from admission. USCIS also says employers should treat the endorsed visa as a valid List A employment-verification document for that period. (USCIS Temporary I-551 Stamps and MRIVs.)
Requisitos
After 3 weeks from arrival
Call SSA if the SSN is late
If the SSN card has not arrived, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and have the handout or letter with you. This is SSA’s stated follow-up step for a DS-260-requested card. (SSA POMS RM 10205.600; SSA DS-260 Permanent Resident Handout.)
Requisitos
After 90 days from entry
Submit USCIS’s online help request
If the Green Card has not arrived by day 90, submit the USCIS online help form at https://my.uscis.gov/account/v1/needhelp. Because you paid the immigrant fee before arrival, USCIS measures this period from your entry date. (USCIS Immigrant Fee; USCIS Green Card Delivery Tool.)
You are not the first to go through this. Here is how it went for others who asked the same thing.
u/KindMistake9692r/NationalVisaCenter26 jun 2026
These facts come from USCIS Green Card delivery and address guidance and SSA’s DS-260 Enumeration-at-Entry materials.
USCIS Green Card Delivery Tool
Because you paid before entry, USCIS measures your Green Card delivery period from your entry date.
It may take up to 90 days from the date you entered to receive your permanent resident card.
SSA DS-260 Permanent Resident Handout
A person who requested an SSN through the DS-260 ordinarily does not submit another SSN application or visit SSA.
Therefore, you do not need to fill out a special application or go to a Social Security office to get an SSN.
SSA DS-260 Permanent Resident Handout
SSA’s expected delivery window for the DS-260-requested SSN card is three weeks after arrival.
You should receive your Social Security card within 3 weeks after you arrive.
SSA POMS RM 10205.600
SSA provides the telephone follow-up point for a late DS-260-requested SSN card or a post-arrival address change.
RM 10205.600(H)
IMPORTANT: Call SSA 1-800-772-1213 if you do not receive your Social Security card after 3 weeks or if you change your mailing address after arrival in the United States.
USCIS Immigrant Fee
After the applicable 90-day period, USCIS directs you to submit an online help request for the missing Green Card.
If you do not receive your Green Card within 90 days of paying the USCIS Immigrant Fee or entering the United States (if you paid the fee before you arrived) please submit our online help form to request assistance.
USCIS Immigrant Fee
USCIS sends the Green Card to the U.S. address provided to DOS or, if changed, to CBP at entry.
Mail your Green Card to the address you gave to DOS during your immigrant visa interview (or gave to CBP when you arrived in the United States, if your address changed).
SSA POMS RM 10205.600
SSA sends the SSN card to the U.S. address DHS uses for the Permanent Resident Card.
RM 10205.600(H)
The SSN card is mailed to the U.S. mailing address where the Department of Homeland Security will send your Permanent Resident Card.
USCIS Temporary I-551 Stamps and MRIVs
The endorsed immigrant visa in your passport temporarily proves permanent residence while the physical card is pending.
The employee’s foreign passport with the MRIV is evidence the employee has permanent residence status for 1 year from the date of admission.
USCIS Address Change Guidance
A move must be reported directly to USCIS; changing the USPS address does not update USCIS or forward its mail.
Additionally, all aliens in the United States must report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving. Changing your address with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will not change your address with USCIS and USPS will not forward your mail from USCIS.
SSA DS-260 Permanent Resident Handout
Permanent-resident status begins upon admission on the immigrant visa, not when the plastic card arrives.
Upon admission to the United States based on your immigrant visa, you will be a U.S. permanent resident.
These are the official USCIS and SSA rules published on the cited dates; processes and guidance can change.
This is general information about official processes, not legal advice; SettleKit is not a law firm.
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