Getting SSN for J1 in America

thebigmc

Hi,
Just wondering if anyone knows if you can apply to get you social security number before you actually go to america? It seems loads of people who go onn a J1 dont get the card for weeks into the trip, it would prob help my chances of getting a job if I could apply for it a few weeks in advance, thanks alot,

P

dermot_sheehan

thebigmc wrote:

Hi,
Just wondering if anyone knows if you can apply to get you social security number before you actually go to america? It seems loads of people who go onn a J1 dont get the card for weeks into the trip, it would prob help my chances of getting a job if I could apply for it a few weeks in advance, thanks alot,

P

Nope, unless you're an american citizen or greencard holder, in which case you wouldn't need a J-1 visa at all.

You need to be in J-1 status to get a SS number, you are in J-1 status when you get the white card put in your passport at the border that says J-1.

You need to fill out form SS-5 and submit it a few days after arrival at a social security office. You do it a few days to make sure your arrival has been entered into the computer system, if it's not and they do a manual check, it takes ages.

Our man in Havana

Big warning on the News tonight that will can take up to 8 weeks for your ssn to come thru. The USA is fast becoming a no go area for summer employment.

galwaydude

Its very hard to get a SSN here. I was lucky myself that i got mine after 3 weeks after arriving in the states. And before anyone asks im not on a J1.

Ruu_Old

Would take about 3 weeks to come through when you arrive but you wont be able to get it before you are in the US.

Absolut

It's best not to apply for your SSN until after the start date of your DS2019 - usually a few days after you enter the US. It seems to make your application go through faster if you apply after your work permit has started, maybe it's got to do with what gabhain7 said about having to do a manual check.

thebigmc

Thanks for the info guys, seems a pain that you can't get it for min 3 weeks, and that sounds like the best you'll do, hopefully we can sort a job where there relaxed about the social security number. That kind of takes from the whole point of paying so much to organise visa paperwork etc, and you still don't have everything you need.
I also saw the bit on news 2, a bit useless really, going around UCD asking random students about their experiences and then giving a warning that American police will not tolerate boisterious after exam celebrations, like they expect here! ;-)
Thanks for the info anyway guys

Our man in Havana

In theory you don't need a SSN to work, just the visa. In practice you might get a job with no number but they won't pay you without it.

Ruu_Old

You wont be able to setup a bank accout with a SSN though.