Can you work with SS# w/o EAD?

[WillyKid 0]

My finace was in the US last year on a J1 Visa. While in the US, she obtained her SS#, but I think she was working off-the-books. Anyway, next month, she'll be entering the US on her K1. Can she work since she has her SS# without the EAD? If not, can she work since she has her SS# while waiting for the EAD to be processed? Or, regarless of having her SS# already, will she have to wait for the EAD to be process to work? THANKS!

[Dr_LHA 3]

I assume her SS Card has the words "Only Valid for Employment with DHS Authorization" on it. If so she needs EAD stamp or card to work legally.

Edited July 8, 2007 by Dr_LHA

[gcox457 0]

In theory, if she gets the 90-day EAD stamp upon entry on the K-1, she would be able to work legally for the duration of that stamp assuming she could find an employer willing to accept the stamp as valid. If you got married and filed the paperwork for AOS pretty much immediately, there is a chance that the EAD card would arrive before the 90-day EAD stamp from the K-1 entrance expired. If it didn't, then she would legally be required to stop working until the EAD card arrives.

[WillyKid 0]

Is the 90-day EAD stamp upon entry into the USA something you need to specifically ask for when being processed? My finace's point-of-entry will be JFK.

[gcox457 0]

Is the 90-day EAD stamp upon entry into the USA something you need to specifically ask for when being processed? My finace's point-of-entry will be JFK.

It depends on the officer. We didn't have to ask for it, but others have had to.