New immigrant husband is looking for work

[speedwell 224]

Hi, folks. My husband arrived a week ago on a CR-1 visa. He did request a SSN using the option on his DS-230. We expect the green card and SS card to arrive shortly.

We know that the visa and stamp together constitute proof of his permanent residency status and eligibility to work. So he's been looking for work to do in the neighborhood. A couple of places have expressed interest and asked for him to come back to talk to managers. So he is eligible to work now, but he has not received his green card or SSN yet. What should he tell them when they ask him for his SSN?

Thanks!

[destiny64 222]

I could be wrong , but I think he needs to wait for the SS# to begin working.

[speedwell 224]

I could be wrong , but I think he needs to wait for the SS# to begin working.

Respectfully, it's the permanent residency status that makes him eligible to work in the US. He can work now. We just need to know what to tell the potential employers who are already interested in him for jobs. What can they do until he receives his actual SS card?

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

The social security card is because the employer is required to keep and pay social security taxes. It is due to that requirement that the employer will need the social security number and therefore you spouse needs it.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Respectfully, it's the permanent residency status that makes him eligible to work in the US. He can work now. We just need to know what to tell the potential employers who are already interested in him for jobs. What can they do until he receives his actual SS card?

Respectfully, that's not true. He needs the SSN so the employer can deduct SS taxes.

[speedwell 224]

Respectfully, that's not true. He needs the SSN so the employer can deduct SS taxes.

Then what I said is true. He is eligible to work in the USA now. He needs the SSN for his pay to be processed. These are two different things.

In fact, I just got off the phone with the SSA. They said that it's up to the employer how they want to arrange it. Furthermore, it is not an absolute requirement for a worker to have a SSN, particularly is he is an independent contractor. If the employer participates in E-Verify, then they will need his SSN, but according to the IRS the provision of the SSN is voluntary, not mandatory, if the employer does not participate in E-Verify.

In any case he will have a SSN in a week or sooner, and he will be able to present that to his employer when he receives it. I was not asking about what he can do if he does not have a SSN. I was asking what he can do until he has his SSN. But thank you for answering someone else's question.

Edited July 5, 2013 by speedwell

[Darnell 8,479]

i dunno - if'n you want to chase after a SSN for yer husband, IMO it's best done at the SSA office 2 weeks past the POE date, asking the SSA clerk to do a lookup in the SAVE database prior to handing over the SS-5 application thingie.

But that's just my 2 cents. With that and 4 pounds sterling, you can have a nice pork pie and a pint.

[*Snowdrop* 604]

We ticked the box to receive the SS card but it never arrived so we ended up going to the office about six weeks after I arrived and they gave me my number that day and the card arrived 2 weeks after that,

A lot of people who tick that box still have to chase up the card at their local office.

[lynndy38 64]

We ticked the box to receive the SS card but it never arrived so we ended up going to the office about six weeks after I arrived and they gave me my number that day and the card arrived 2 weeks after that,

A lot of people who tick that box still have to chase up the card at their local office.

I had to do the same too......ticked the box on the DS-230 but 2 months later nothing, easy to fix though went to the SS office,filled out a form and had the card sent within 4 days. Green card arrived after about 4-5 weeks of POE.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Then what I said is true. He is eligible to work in the USA now. He needs the SSN for his pay to be processed. These are two different things.

In fact, I just got off the phone with the SSA. They said that it's up to the employer how they want to arrange it. Furthermore, it is not an absolute requirement for a worker to have a SSN, particularly is he is an independent contractor. If the employer participates in E-Verify, then they will need his SSN, but according to the IRS the provision of the SSN is voluntary, not mandatory, if the employer does not participate in E-Verify.

In any case he will have a SSN in a week or sooner, and he will be able to present that to his employer when he receives it. I was not asking about what he can do if he does not have a SSN. I was asking what he can do until he has his SSN. But thank you for answering someone else's question.

You're splitting hairs and dancing acrobatics to somehow conclude that he can start work without his SSN. He can't. Try giving this explanation to an employer when they've hired him and are filling out the paperwork — it won't go well.

You are so very close, the SSN is not too hard to get.

I don't get the ire.

[Eric-Pris 1,607]

Even though they tell us that a person arriving under IR-1/CR-1 is eligible to work right away, it's really not right away. You need a actual SSN, not a pending one.

Why in such a rush to work? Really, use this time to get his accustomed to the area and his new home.

Edited July 5, 2013 by Eric-Pris