EAD card

[Tynhi 0]

I was wondering how does EAD card work? DO you just apply for a job and show the card?

Do u also need a SSN to work?

[trillium13 84]

I was wondering how does EAD card work? DO you just apply for a job and show the card?

Pretty much, yes. It shows you are legal to work in the US. Once you have your GC you won't need that anymore.

Do u also need a SSN to work?

My gut reaction to this was "yes", but I know that some people have a tax ID number instead of an SS number. So I'm not sure you need a SS number per se, but you will be wanting to get one anyway. You can get it once you have your EAD card. I'm sure someone else can give you better info on that part.

[marie09 5]

I was wondering how does EAD card work? DO you just apply for a job and show the card?

Hey Tynhi... Basically yes, the EAD makes you eligible to work. When you start work your employer fills out an I9 employment eligibility form and the EAD satisfies column A.

Do u also need a SSN to work?

Technically you need to have at least applyed for a social and have a letter verifying you've applied. The reality is most companies do not like to do this, while they can use a temporary number and change it once you get your social, if you leave or they never get your social security number they get fined. So most will require the social security number.

I used to work in HR for the ski/resort industry which had a lot of J1 student summer exchange program and Q1 cultural program participants. Since the J1s/Q1s didn't have socials when they arrived in country the employer would help them apply (sometimes the local SS office would even come to the employer if there were a lot (100+)) then let them start work after they'd applied for the soc. Disney's international program too - same deal. So if you live in a resort town that used to hiring internationals you could approach the resorts and ask. Employers that have no experience in hiring international workers are almost guaranteed to require you have the SS number though.

Ideally apply for your social security number as soon as you can - as it will make it a lot easier for you. Good luck!

Edited November 10, 2009 by marie09

[Cloudy9 11]

I was wondering how does EAD card work? DO you just apply for a job and show the card?

Pretty much, yes. It shows you are legal to work in the US. Once you have your GC you won't need that anymore.

Do u also need a SSN to work?

My gut reaction to this was "yes", but I know that some people have a tax ID number instead of an SS number. So I'm not sure you need a SS number per se, but you will be wanting to get one anyway. You can get it once you have your EAD card. I'm sure someone else can give you better info on that part.

The Tax Id is just that. For filing taxes when the foreign spouse does not have a ssn yet. You have to have a ssn number to be able to work. I tried to get a job with a tax id and after 1 1/2 weeks the company gave me a check and said I couldn't work for them until I had a ssn, what I gave them was not a ssn. I got my ssn within 2-3 weeks and then my company said I could come back to work. Not all employers are that gracious.

[trillium13 84]

The Tax Id is just that. For filing taxes when the foreign spouse does not have a ssn yet. You have to have a ssn number to be able to work. I tried to get a job with a tax id and after 1 1/2 weeks the company gave me a check and said I couldn't work for them until I had a ssn, what I gave them was not a ssn. I got my ssn within 2-3 weeks and then my company said I could come back to work. Not all employers are that gracious.

Thanks for helping clear that up. My next question is, I've seen people post here (some of whom have mentioned they are actually working illegally) say that they are still paying taxes even without GC, EAD, or SS. Are the employers of those people just "overlooking" the fact that they have no SSN? Do they just have a tax ID?