In continuing series of informational articles for intending immigrants and visa holders, Immigration Attorney Magdalena Cuprys publishes instructional articles on Social Security Number issues
Applying for a Social Security Number in the U.S. has become quite challenging for visa holders. Immigration Lawyer Magdalena Cuprys provides guidance to smooth the process. In her most recent published article, Florida immigration lawyer Magdalena Ewa Cuprys provides guidance for visa holders to obtain a U.S. Social Security Number. A Social Security Number is essential in the United States. One usually needs it to obtain a US Driver's License to register for Health Insurance, open a local Bank Account, and for many other purposes. If one is not a US Citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder), one must meet certain requirements to obtain a Social Security Number in the United States. In general, you have to be able to show that you are authorized to be employed in the United States. For example: Let's assume you have an Employment Visa, in this case an L-1 visa. You obtained it from the US Consulate in your Home Country, you entered the United States via airplane, and you can retrieve your I-94 status online. That will generally be sufficient for you to obtain a Social Security Number from the US Social Security Administration (SSA). The same applies, for example, with another employment visa, i.e. H-1B visa, which again an individual may have obtained through a US Consulate prior to entry to the United States. Once again, the visa along with the I-94 status should be sufficient proof that one is authorized to work in the United States.
In order to obtain a Social Security Number for the first time you have to go in person to the nearest Office of the Social Security Administration. How do you find it? You have two options, you can call the Tel. Number: 1-800-772-1213 and the system will ask you for your zip code/a postal code, which you can input via the buttons of the telephone and it will tell you where the nearest office of the Social Security Administration is to your location. You have the same option through the website of the Social Security Administration which is www.ssa.gov. Once again, there is a locator service which you can utilize to enter your zip code and it will tell you where to go and where to apply for the Social Security Number in person.
The Application Form used in conjunction with this process which one must complete is the FORM SS-5. The first time one applies for a Social Security Number, one must go in person, go to the nearest Office of the Social Security Administration, and you must bring proof that you are authorized to work in the United States (if you are presently on a visa in the United States). Thus, an L-1 visa, H-1B visa, E-2 visa, etc. shall be sufficient, you again have to prove that you are legally in the United States and one demonstrates this via the I-94 form that is now available online. Please note that there currently exist certain “backlogs” in the processing of these Social Security Numbers, thus one may encounter delays in issuance. When one applies as a foreigner for a Social Security Number, you must allow for approximately 6 weeks in order to receive this number. This is due to the fact that the Social Security Administration forwards your information to the USCIS (Immigration Service) to verify that you are authorized to be employed. And this additional background check takes time, maybe 6 weeks or more. So plan accordingly.
Ms. Cuprys notes that as for E-2 visas, which may be issued by a US consulate directly abroad without prior processing at USCIS, complications may arise. The Immigration Service USCIS in the USA isn’t notified and thus doesn't have a formal record that this E-2 visa has been approved. This means that the Immigration Service does not know that you are authorized to work. So, if you do have an E-2 visa, please be prepared for additional delays. Because the Immigration Service might notify the Social Security Administration that they couldn't find any work visa for you and you might have to prove to the Social Security Administration that you are really authorized to work and provide additional information.
If you need additional information on how to obtain a Social Security Number, please contact the Law Office of Magdalena Cuprys for more information.
Magdalena Cuprys is the principal attorney of Serving Immigrants, a full-service immigration law firm offering a complete range of immigration services to both businesses and individuals.
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