Getting Paid with TN Visa

[jennadriscoll]

Once you receive a TN Visa do you receive a Social Security number? How do you get paid. I am trying to inform a potential US employer about this. My understanding is that you need a Social Security number to work in the US. How does this work with the TN Visa Status.

Thanks for your help in advance.

[fiestagirl]

You apply at a social security office AFTER you get a TN. You probably won't get your SSN number for 2-6 weeks. Mine took 6 weeks from the day I received my TN. Your employer will possibly not know how to pay you without an SSN and may not be able to go through their payroll system - but they can pay you out of a/p for now. This topic has been discussed a lot on this forum - do a search and there's some great info!

[jennadriscoll]

Thanks. What do you suggest I search. I wasnt able to find anything though I have had trouble with wording using this search.

Thanks

[axolotl]

You can only apply for an SSN after you get your TN. It takes about a week or two for your TN status to propagate to SSA computers so you should wait at least that long before you go to the SSA office to apply. They won't let you apply for it if you don't show up in their system.

In the meantime, your company can pay you either through a dummy SSN (and they will just change it over to your real SSN when you get it) or through accounts payable as the OP mentioned.

[Steven]

Just get them to hold their payroll for you until you get the SSN if possible. You get an SSN with employment authorization specifically for that employer essentially, when your status expires the employment authorization part of your SSN expires, but it is still a valid SSN and you can use it on tax returns, etc.

Takes awhile for the CBP info to hit the SSA system, so if you go in and apply immediately after you enter, it actually takes longer to get it. Leave it ten business days is the usual advice.

[stacyr29]

Oh this wasn't a problem! Just give them your Canadian Social Insurance #. Same number of digits. Then when you get your American SS # update your files. HR told me to do this and it worked fine. You will get paid without delays.

[agnelson]

Giving your Cdn SIN is of absolutely no value; just cause it has 9 digits?!, and could mess up your SS and taxes. Do as steven outlined