| A Social Security Number is essential in the United | | | | there, it will only take you a few minutes to fill out that |
| States. You usually need it to obtain a driver's license, | | | | form. So, first time you apply for the Number, go in |
| to register for Health Insurance and for many other | | | | person, go to the nearest Office of the Social Security |
| purposes. If you are not a US citizen or a Green Card | | | | Administration, you have to bring proof that you are |
| holder, you have to meet certain requirements to | | | | authorized to work in the United States if you are on a |
| obtain one. In general, you have to be able to show | | | | visa in the United States. So, an L-1 visa, H-1B visa, E-2 |
| that you are authorized to work in the United States. | | | | visa will be sufficient, you have to prove that you are |
| Let's assume you have a work visa. Let's say you | | | | legally in the United States and you do this with the |
| have an L-1 visa. You obtained it from the US | | | | white I-94 form that is stapled into your passport. |
| Consulate, you entered the United States on the | | | | There are certain problems with the Number. The first |
| airplane, you filled out a white I-94 card and it is now | | | | problem is the delay. When you apply as a foreigner |
| stapled into your passport. That will be sufficient for | | | | for a Number, you have to plan about 6 weeks to |
| you to obtain a Social Security Number. Same with the, | | | | obtain this number. The reason is, that the Social |
| let's say, H-1B visa which you may have obtained | | | | Security Administration forwards your information to |
| through a US Consulate you entered the United | | | | the Immigration Service to the USCIS to verify that |
| States, fill out the white I-94 card and that will be | | | | you are authorized to work. And this additional check |
| sufficient proof that you are authorized to work in the | | | | does take time so calculate about 6 weeks, so you |
| United States. | | | | can be on the pay roll of your employer in the United |
| Now to obtain a Number for the first time you have go | | | | States. |
| in person to the nearest Office of the Social Security | | | | Now, I mentioned the E-2 visa before if you remember, |
| Administration. How do you find it? You have two | | | | the E-2 visa can be issued by a US consulate directly |
| options, you can call the number 1800-772-1213 once | | | | i.e., the Immigration Service doesn't really have a record |
| again that is 1800-772-1213 and the system will ask | | | | that this E-2 visa has been approved for you. And it |
| you for your zip code/a postal code, which you can | | | | means that the Immigration Service does not know |
| put in with the buttons of the telephone and it will tell | | | | that you are authorized to work. So, if you do have an |
| you where the nearest office of the Social Security | | | | E-2 visa, please be prepared for additional delays. |
| Administration is. Once again, there is a locator service | | | | Because the Immigration Service might notify the |
| you can put in your zip code and it will tell you where | | | | Social Security Administration that they couldn't find |
| to go and where to apply for the Social Security | | | | any work visa for you and you might have to prove to |
| Number in person. | | | | the Social Security Administration that you are really |
| Now, there is a form that you have to fill out it is the | | | | authorized to work and provide additional information. If |
| so called SS-5. It is a very simple form, you don't | | | | you need additional information on how to obtain a |
| necessarily have to fill it out before you go to the | | | | Number, well you will probably find all of your questions |
| Social Security Administration because most likely you | | | | answered on the website of the Social Security |
| will have to wait and they have copies of the form | | | | Administration or talk to your Immigration Attorney. |