TN entry and Social Security #

for those who entered approx 1 month or so prior to starting their job on a TN, did u apply for the SS # right after entering OR can u only apply once u've started to work?

Canadian Expatriate and Travellers Forum Index -> Canadians in the USA -> US Visas and Immigration

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samdonowa
Junior Member

Joined: 27 Dec 2007
Posts: 16

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 2:43 am

for those who entered approx 1 month or so prior to starting their job on a TN, did u apply for the SS # right after entering OR can u only apply once u've started to work?

Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP

Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 518
Location: Calgary

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 10:56 am

Apply as soon as you enter.
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Steve.

eddycurrents
CanuckAbroad Regular

Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 35

Posted: Yesterday at 5:57 am

I don't think you can apply until you start work. I applied on my first day.

I got screwed though -- after a week I called on my SSN status and found they had sent my application off to verify it with BCIS in Norfolk VA. After 3 months they said they must have lost my application and told me to reapply. So I did, at a different office, and the guy there said they didn't have to send my application anywhere. I got my SSN in a week.

Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP

Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 518
Location: Calgary

Posted: Yesterday at 11:19 am

You don't even need a job to get an SSN. You just have to be legally there. For example as an F-1 student you can get an SSN because you might do the optional practical training. They used to issue "not valid for employment" SSNs to tourists, but they appear to have stopped that to reduce fraud.
_________________
Steve.