Getting a SSN if your a spouse of an E2

[Major Smasher]

Hi all,
Chris again. My Mum asked me to post this (will have to get her to pluck up the courage to sign up for herself). Alright...My Mum is the spouse of my Dad (duh...but just to get that out there) and he is the only one with the E2 in otherwords my mother is his dependant...I just got a thump for that but its accurate. She wanted to see if she could get a job working nearby to get her out and about with a little extra money.

So here is the Q finally.

How does she go about getting clearance to work in the US (A SSN and any other stuff she needs)

Thanks for your help guys. Oh and have a day.
Chris

[peter gold]

She goes to the local social security office with passport and visa and sends of for her scoial sec number, and then ead (work authorisation)

Here is the link http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=73ddd59cb7a5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCR D&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1 RCRD

Apply before end of the month as fees up from $180 to $340,. Now with the saved money you can buy t shirts or donate to the cause!!!!

[McSporran]

Hi,

She may need to get the EAD first...as some Social Security officers demand to see this before they will send for an SSN.

[debd]

I wasn't allowed to have a social number being a visa dependant. I could however apply for a EAD which came through with a social number marked for work authorization only. Not sure if the system has changed, this was 4 years ago.
The EAD can be filed online (USCIS) and then instructions are given as to when and how to do the biometrics interview (Mine was done in Orlando).

[McSporran]

Hi,

I'm not sure about online applications...but my "significant other"'s EAD we posted the form (from USCIS web site) along with some docs and they sent back the EAD...no need for a biometric's interview?? Not sure if this is a new thing?

[SHEILA 13]

Mcsporran,How long did all this take ?

[McSporran]

From memory about 30 days to get the EAD through, then we went to apply for SSN and that took about another 14 days, but I know this varys greatly.

[debd]

I've just reapplied for mine on line as the original ran out, its currently taking 2 months +. The biometrics thing was in place last year but I think its a fairly new thing from what others have told me.

[Dette]

I had a work authorization card.

I had to renew it after two years going through the cattle market to get biometrics each time. I had no idea my fingerprint would possibly change in those two years!!

I am now waiting for my third card to be approved while we wait for Green cards to come through.

I was not allowed to have a SSN, though I have a part time position and run my own business.

Because I do not have a SSN I cannot be fingerprinted to get a school authorization to work in a high school that asked me to costume a show for them. I can however costume the show as long as the person in charge (the director can see me all the time!) This is the same school where I was awarded Volunteer if the year in May!. So I can volunteer but not work - go figure.

[debd]

I've been to Tampa today for renewal of biometrics for my EAD (two years ago I went to Orlando - my fingerprint must have changed since then because they wanted another one??) ANYWAY, I have to say that the Tampa office (for anyone who gets an option) is absolutely fantastic. It took about 50 minutes for me to get there from Davenport and find it (never been to Tampa before) but my appointment was at 2pm and I clocked in at 1.25. Now bearing in mind that in Orlando I sat there for just over 3 hours, in Tampa I was out by 1.45 - staff were very polite and even smiling (not a usual occurrence in any government office). So for those of you who may have to go through this in future, the trip to Tampa as opposed to popping to Orlando is definitley worth it.

[SHEILA 13]

My husband went to Tampa also but I dont know if you have a choice of which office you are invited to attend,I think it has more to do with where you live.

[debd]

Any idea why I went to Orlando last time? I hadn't heard of any area changes!!!

[DebbieM]

I renewed mine earlier this year. My first card had my finger print on this one doesn't nor did I have to go anywhere to get one done this time. Just sent off the forms, had a request to send in new photos as the background of the new ones I sent in wasn't white then bingo new card arrives within a week.

I have to admit I was a bit surprised with the ease of it all and no biometrics - again one rule doesn't apply to all it would appear.

For my original application I had to go to an office on Semoran Blvd just north of OIA, very pleasant experience, no one in there and in and out within 5 minutes, staff very nice also, even asked me if I liked my photo and would I like to change it.

[SHEILA 13]

Not sure,did you live in the same area last time?

[debd]

Lived in the same area since we move to Davenport. It was the Semoran Blvd one that I originally had to go too, awful experience, thought I would never get out. The nice man at Tampa today couldn't really give me any reason as to why they would want my fingerprint again, I would have thought I could have renewed online but no such luck. At least now I know where Dinosaur World, Ocala and several other places are!!!

[anniefromessex]

The whole thing is a maze - I'm sure they do it to keep you guessing. I went into Kohls today, buying loads of stuff and a member of staff told me to ask for a Kohls Charge Card, I could then scratch off a card and I could get up to 20% off (worth having I thought to myself) just for applying. I did all the things the machine asked of me, gave my SSN and because it was relatively new I was turned down but the guy still gave me 20% off so I was a happy chappie - but really a bit off putting to be honest with you - lived here permanently for 4 years, spent 6 months of the year here for 3 years, owned a home here since 1989 and they still treat me like a nobody!!! Story of my life really - have never been up to much, ha ha!!!

Love Anniexxx