What is the status of a green-card holder?

I have a green card, which should be arriving shortly. However, I am not sure what is my legal status until that happens? Am I an alien authorized to work? Or is it something else. Thanks!|||once you have the green card in your HAND then you can take it to the SS office, file some more papers and then wait for your SSN to arrive in the post.................then once you have that you can apply for any jobs that do NOT need you to be a citizen............make sure you NEVER tick a box that asks if you are a citizen..............other than that yo will be good to go,yu will need to show both your green card, your ssn and either a drivers lic. an or a military id to show any place you apply to that you can legally work in the USA................they will take copies of these documents but this is the norm so do NOT worry.|||You're a pending I-485 until you get either the actual I-551 or what's called a temporary I-551 stamp.





"Arriving shortly" is very subjective and I wouldn't rely on it.





Many, many, mannnny people are currently pre-approved for their I-551 but are in a long waiting list to actually get it. Years.





You need to give more information for a complete answer.





But in any case, you can always apply for a work permit until you get your notice/I-551 card or stamp.|||if you have been married to a citizen for 2 years or more you are an unconditional permanent resident (meaning you can work legally) if you have not then you are conditional for the time being. If you need free legal assistance the USCIS website has a link to lawyers by state: http://www.usdoj.gov/eoir/probono/states鈥?/a>|||This link should give you some answers.

















http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/m鈥?/a>|||If you entered with an immigrant visa or were approved for permanent


residence, you are a lawful permanent resident. You are authorized to work but will need the green card and social security card first.|||You are a Permanent Resident, which allow you to live and work permanently in US.