Ssn

[Everhopefull]

Hi
I have searched for this, so either I am using the wrong terms or its not there.
Now that we have been granted our E2 visa's how do we get our social security numbers. Does it follow automatically or do I apply for them?
If I apply for them what documents will I need?

Thanks
Steve

[JulieC]

Leave it a couple of weeks after entering on your visa to work into the system. Then go to the SS center, we went to Hughey Avenue in Orlando but I believe they have opened one in Kissimmee since, someone will post the address? Take your passport. It says birth certificates also on the wall there, we panicked as we didnt have them but got ours even so. But take them just in case! You fill in a form and then need to queue up for interview so take a book! There is a lot of queuing up the first few days here so get a few good books.

[DebbieM]

Depending on how your E-2 is 'set up' primary visa holder can get a ssn but the spouse will need to provide a work authorization card before they can get theirs - yet another application, fee and processing exercise. We have done both Hughey Avenue in Orlando - absolute nightmare and also the one on Oak Street just off 192 near downtown Kissimmee - much better but still wise to get there early.

Good Luck with your new life and start thinking about your renewal now:D

[mark]

Hi

This may be what you need


www.ssa.gov

[Linda]

Go on line and download the forms, print off and fill in and then go to the office in Winter Haven, get there for 9.00 take your ticket small interview, and then it is a matter of time you will get a letter in the post confirming it, then your card will also be posted. If you download the form you can see what papers you need.

[Everhopefull]

Thank you for the replies, I think I will make it one of my first 'jobs' when I get there.
Steve

[chris]

Check out the ssa.gov site carefully as the regs have changed this year and an E2 spouse does NOT need an employment authorisation document (EAD) in order to get a SSN. You have to provide proof that you are the spouse of the E2 Visa holder (marriage cert is OK). They will issue you with a SSN. However, to use the SSN for work purposes you still have to obtain an EAD ($180.00) from USCIS.

[Sharon]

thats the trouble Chris, the rules and goal posts are always changing yet nobody bothers to tell the goal keeper

[victoria]

hijack - how do you go about getting a replacement UK marriage certificate??

[chris]

Here is the revised SSA policy statement on getting a SSN without an EAD. I would recommend printing this off and taking it with you. Folks on another site have done this and has been remarked earlier, it is true that the goalkeeprs don't often know as much as we do, hence printing it off and showing it to them. This has worked for others.
As far as getting a replacement marriage certificate, you would need to contact the public records office in the UK. They have a website.
https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203500

[DebbieM]

Hi Chris

As you've obviously read the document do you know if the same rule applies for the kids of E-2 Visa holders rather than me having to wade through and losing the plot after para 1?

Seems odd that the only reason to issue a SSN is to report tax and if they are giving them to E-2 spouses without a right to work and therefore no tax implications why not for the kids.

Can you help or do I have to do some serious bedtime reading?

[chris]

The section that I linked to is about the spouse and their SSN. Kids are still as before.
Whilst it may appear Irish that a spouse doesn't need an EAD to get a SSN, but needs an EAD if they intend to work, there are reasons why you may need a SSN other than for work. For example, my wife does volunteer work at our local school and she has a devils of a job on the OASIS system because she doesn't yet have a SSN.
When this change was announced and was debated on the Florida Forum site, I begged the following question and never really got an answer that meant anything.
When you (spouse) apply for a SSN the card will be marked 'Valid for Work only with CIS authorisation". To get that authorisation you need the EAD from USCIS. That's fine as far as it goes and seems to make sense (if there is such a thing over here). BUT THEN my SSN card (I am the E2 Visa holder) has always said 'Valid for Work only with INS authorisation" (this was issued before CIS came on the scene). As an E2 Visa holder I've never applied to USCIS for permission to work and I doubt if anyone else has for that matter, so the 2 taken together don't make sense (or at least to me anyway).

[DebbieM]

Thanks Chris - I agree with you about all this stuff not making any sense, its good to know its not just me. I think (for what it's worth) that the E-2 in inself is like an EAD difference being (or not) that I can work for anyone the E-2 hold can only work for themselves?????? but who can tell as both SSN cards are the same?????

I'd like my eldest daughter to get a credit card and start building some credit history - she already has a checking account but without a SSN no one will consider here and she accrues nothing not even with an ITIN number - aparently.....................unless someone else knows any different.

Until we got a US mortgage the only way we could get credit was for the bank to loan us our own money at a higher rate of interest than they were paying us on the deposit resulting in it costing us to borrow our own money. Now that's backward, needless to say I paid it off as soon as we had some history behind us.

Thanks for your help.

Debs

[Susie]

hijack - how do you go about getting a replacement UK marriage certificate??


Try

http://www.ukcertificates.com/