US Social Security Query
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 16
US Social Security Query
Hi,
I have just received my approved petition and will be going to the Consulate next week to interview for my visa. I arrive in Houston at the end of June and start working on the 1st July.
My question pertains to the SSN - now, I know I need to get this and understand that it can take up to 30 days to receive. However, is it possible for me to get paid without the SSN card? For example, will I receive a temporary number or something which will allow me to be paid for the first month?
Thanks
Natalie
I have just received my approved petition and will be going to the Consulate next week to interview for my visa. I arrive in Houston at the end of June and start working on the 1st July.
My question pertains to the SSN - now, I know I need to get this and understand that it can take up to 30 days to receive. However, is it possible for me to get paid without the SSN card? For example, will I receive a temporary number or something which will allow me to be paid for the first month?
Thanks
Natalie
#2
Re: US Social Security Query
The Social Security Administration is quite happy for you to be paid initially without a SSN. Whether your HR dept is capable of it is another matter. If you're working for a company that has employed visa holders before, they may understand the ropes. But never underestimate the utter stupidity of your average US HR.
#3
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 21
Re: US Social Security Query
Hi,
I have just received my approved petition and will be going to the Consulate next week to interview for my visa. I arrive in Houston at the end of June and start working on the 1st July.
My question pertains to the SSN - now, I know I need to get this and understand that it can take up to 30 days to receive. However, is it possible for me to get paid without the SSN card? For example, will I receive a temporary number or something which will allow me to be paid for the first month?
Thanks
Natalie
I have just received my approved petition and will be going to the Consulate next week to interview for my visa. I arrive in Houston at the end of June and start working on the 1st July.
My question pertains to the SSN - now, I know I need to get this and understand that it can take up to 30 days to receive. However, is it possible for me to get paid without the SSN card? For example, will I receive a temporary number or something which will allow me to be paid for the first month?
Thanks
Natalie
You will be paid; the issue of Social Security and Withholding tax credit comes later. It takes ten years of SS credits to be entitled to a pension (otherwise the years are totalized with your foreign (UK etc) state pension. Better to contrive to get the ten years ("40 quarters of coverage") in the USA and also pay Voluntary Class 3 NICs in the UK.
Nobody who took that advice ever regretted it. At least none who survived to pension age...
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 4,759
Re: US Social Security Query
Hi,
I have just received my approved petition and will be going to the Consulate next week to interview for my visa. I arrive in Houston at the end of June and start working on the 1st July.
My question pertains to the SSN - now, I know I need to get this and understand that it can take up to 30 days to receive. However, is it possible for me to get paid without the SSN card? For example, will I receive a temporary number or something which will allow me to be paid for the first month?
Thanks
Natalie
I have just received my approved petition and will be going to the Consulate next week to interview for my visa. I arrive in Houston at the end of June and start working on the 1st July.
My question pertains to the SSN - now, I know I need to get this and understand that it can take up to 30 days to receive. However, is it possible for me to get paid without the SSN card? For example, will I receive a temporary number or something which will allow me to be paid for the first month?
Thanks
Natalie
In my case - YMMV - the number was issued within 4 days and the card arrived a few days after that. I was in the SS office for less than 5 minutes, though again YMMV!
#5
Re: US Social Security Query
You've got 90 days to provide a SSN to your employer.
You can get paid while you're waiting, but till you give them the number, the maximum taxes will be withdrawn from your pay cheque.
You can get paid while you're waiting, but till you give them the number, the maximum taxes will be withdrawn from your pay cheque.
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 478
Re: US Social Security Query
The HR person will probably give you a temporary number like 000-00-0000 for their records, and then they correct it when they get your SSN. If the HR person doesn't know what to do, their payroll place (e.g. ADP) certainly will!
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2012
Location: Washington State
Posts: 120
Re: US Social Security Query
My advice, wait at least 10+ days, we went on day 12 and then they sent our stuff off to Dept Homeland Security, as we were not in the system. This resulted in a longer delay than necessary....