Employment Authorization Cards

Hello All,

Just received my J visa papers and will be heading to the US on Tuesday. Just spoke with my employer who says I need an Employment Authorization Card in order to get paid (along with my SSN). I was under the impression that if I had:

- a J visa
- a passport
- I-94 form

That I was exempt from needing the EAD.

Clarification would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

All you need is the SSN. If the employer told you that they were wrong. A valid SSN and Canadian DL are acceptable on the I-9.

This form gives you the complete list on page 3: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf

It's actually a federal offence under the EEO Act for them to attempt to require something other than what is on the I-9.

Another question, with the J visa, you have to wait 10 - 15 business days (once in the States) before applying for your SSN to ensure that you are in the government system. Which basically means that I am not going to get paid for a month. Is there a way to get a dummy number so I can get paid earlier?

Thanks!

It's not the number specifically that you need, they need to physically see your Social Security card so there is no way around that. You do have a grace period to present the ID.

An Employment Authorization Card is sufficient, but it takes ages for it to arrive at the USCIS office.