Wait for SSN number to work??

[americankiwi 0]

Hi everyone! I'm a USC, my husband was issued his CR1 visa via the US Consulate in Auckland, New Zealand (went through waiver process which was approved in less than 3 months!). We're flying into LAX on February 29th. We did answer yes to the questions on the DS230 part 2 form to get a ssn issued. My question is does my husband have to wait until he gets his ssn in the mail in order to start working? Can he start working right away and tell the employer that he's waiting for it to come in the mail?? I'm starting to get nervous that he's not going to be able to work until it comes and I've read that it could take at least a month to come! We didnt do a great job saving lots of money before we moved back to the states so we're wanting to look for work ASAP!

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Technically no, but most employers would probably hesitate to hire without a valid SSN. Don't wait for the number even if you checked the box. Just go down to the SS office after he arrives.

[americankiwi 0]

Technically no, but most employers would probably hesitate to hire without a valid SSN. Don't wait for the number even if you checked the box. Just go down to the SS office after he arrives.

Thats what I was thinking too about hesitation to hire.

I did read though that you risk getting 2 social security numbers allocated to you if you tick the box AND go to the SS office?? I'm kind of kicking myself for having him tick that box!!

[Dr. Obvious 49]

No, there is no risk of getting two numbers, otherwise A LOT of people would have two.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Technically no, but most employers would probably hesitate to hire without a valid SSN. Don't wait for the number even if you checked the box. Just go down to the SS office after he arrives.

Thats what I was thinking too about hesitation to hire.

I did read though that you risk getting 2 social security numbers allocated to you if you tick the box AND go to the SS office?? I'm kind of kicking myself for having him tick that box!!

Nope, he won't get 2 SSNs. What might happen is that he will not get the one that in theory should be produced for him as a result of checking the "please get me one" box. -- What I did and a lot of folks do, is go to your local SSA office and request a number, EVEN IF you requested it in your forms.

For employers regulations when it comes to what documents they will/can request from you at hire; google "form I-9". There you see what you can use to prove eligibility to work (this applies to both USCs and LPRs). But indeed, most won't hire you without a SSN - not any employer you really want to work for, anyway.

Good luck, L.

[americankiwi 0]

Thanks L. So did you get your number issued AT the office or do you wait for a card to come in the mail? If you do wait for it to come in the mail, how long did it take to come in the mail after you went to the office?

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Thanks L. So did you get your number issued AT the office or do you wait for a card to come in the mail? If you do wait for it to come in the mail, how long did it take to come in the mail after you went to the office?

I think I waited all of 10 days and just showed up at the office with my passport and my Washington State ID. I then went back 48 hours later and they printed the number for me. The actual card came in like 2 weeks after that.

[americankiwi 0]

Thanks L. So did you get your number issued AT the office or do you wait for a card to come in the mail? If you do wait for it to come in the mail, how long did it take to come in the mail after you went to the office?

I think I waited all of 10 days and just showed up at the office with my passport and my Washington State ID. I then went back 48 hours later and they printed the number for me. The actual card came in like 2 weeks after that.

So you dont suggest going to the office until at least a week after he arrives into the country?? We fly in on a Friday and I was thinking of going on Monday!!

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Thanks L. So did you get your number issued AT the office or do you wait for a card to come in the mail? If you do wait for it to come in the mail, how long did it take to come in the mail after you went to the office?

I think I waited all of 10 days and just showed up at the office with my passport and my Washington State ID. I then went back 48 hours later and they printed the number for me. The actual card came in like 2 weeks after that.

So you dont suggest going to the office until at least a week after he arrives into the country?? We fly in on a Friday and I was thinking of going on Monday!!

God no. Wait a couple of days sister - though no one says you cannot just go to the office; but you do risk they giving you the bureaucratic speech of the week as in "YOU JUST GOT HERE YADA YADA YADA" cr@p.

[americankiwi 0]

Thanks L. So did you get your number issued AT the office or do you wait for a card to come in the mail? If you do wait for it to come in the mail, how long did it take to come in the mail after you went to the office?

I think I waited all of 10 days and just showed up at the office with my passport and my Washington State ID. I then went back 48 hours later and they printed the number for me. The actual card came in like 2 weeks after that.

So you dont suggest going to the office until at least a week after he arrives into the country?? We fly in on a Friday and I was thinking of going on Monday!!

God no. Wait a couple of days sister - though no one says you cannot just go to the office; but you do risk they giving you the bureaucratic speech of the week as in "YOU JUST GOT HERE YADA YADA YADA" cr@p.

They better not give my husband any bureaucratic bull ****, especially after going through the whole waiver process (what a freakin nightmare!) to get where we are today - i'm done with all of that!! Anyway thanks for your advice

[Dr. Obvious 49]

In some states, you cannot get a state ID or driver's license without a SSN, so just keep that in mind. I just mentioned it because I saw one of the previous posters mention it.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

In some states, you cannot get a state ID or driver's license without a SSN, so just keep that in mind. I just mentioned it because I saw one of the previous posters mention it.

Ditto - always check your state's regulations. WA did allow me to get the state ID right away, but we're all commies here

As per the bureaucratic speech.... believe me, he'll get it over and over and over from A, B, C and other government agencies.

[evahamilton 0]

Hey!

My company here in America gave me a hard time hiring me without the ssn (we applied in person and have been waiting seven weeks now). We went online right away an brought back lots of paperwork that said it is illegal to not hire someone because they are still waiting for an ssn. You do need prove that you applied for one though, theyll give you that in the office.

Your new employer can just get a temporary number for you while you are awaiting, its really not that hard and dont let them tell you other wise.

Good luck!

[I'm Gone 60]

No, there is no risk of getting two numbers, otherwise A LOT of people would have two.

Really?

OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

ASSESSMENT OF THE ENUMERATION AT ENTRY PROCESS

http://www.ssa.gov/oig/ADOBEPDF/audittxt/A-08-04-14093.htm

IMMIGRANTS APPLIED FOR SSNs THROUGH ENUMERATION AT ENTRY AND AT FOs

One of EAE's key features is that it allows immigrants to apply for an SSN as part of the immigration process rather than requiring that they visit an SSA FO. However, we are concerned that a number of immigrants apply for SSNs through EAE and at FOs. In fact, many immigrants visit an FO within the first week of entering the country. SSA personnel at five of the six FOs we visited told us that most immigrants who apply for SSNs through EAE also apply at an FO. Our findings appear to support their concerns.

We estimate that about 645 (about 56 percent) of the projected 1,161 immigrants with multiple SSNs visited an SSA FO within 1 week of entering the country...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think it's less likely to happen now since a lot of offices now tell people to wait for the SSN and in some case much longer than they need to wait. Give it three weeks and then go into an SSA office to see what's going on.

[I'm Gone 60]

Hi everyone! I'm a USC, my husband was issued his CR1 visa via the US Consulate in Auckland, New Zealand (went through waiver process which was approved in less than 3 months!). We're flying into LAX on February 29th. We did answer yes to the questions on the DS230 part 2 form to get a ssn issued. My question is does my husband have to wait until he gets his ssn in the mail in order to start working? Can he start working right away and tell the employer that he's waiting for it to come in the mail?? I'm starting to get nervous that he's not going to be able to work until it comes and I've read that it could take at least a month to come! We didnt do a great job saving lots of money before we moved back to the states so we're wanting to look for work ASAP!

this kind of explains about not having an SSN, but having work authorization and starting to work before the SSN is assigned:

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/intern...=129227,00.html

However, as someone said it might be hard to find an employer that will hire you without an SSN even if it is OK to start working without one.