H4 with a SSN?
Oct 13th 2010, 10:16 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1
H4 with a SSN?
Probably a really stupid question, but I thought I'd ask as people here seem to know way more information than my company's useless immigation lawyers.
Question relates to my wife. I'm on an H1, she's on an H4. EB-2 GC is in process; though PERM isn't yet completed. So we're a while off.
She would desperately like to work here, but obviously is not allowed to on an H-4.
However, she has a SSN (she previously had a different visa). Hers is a purely freelance design field, generally working with individual clients (so no W9s or anything like that)
Question is whether her SSN does anything for her, and / or if there's any way she can start working as an independent contractor. As far as I can tell the only trace that would be left of her working would be a revenue stream on our tax filing, but of course detectability doesn't equate to legality...
Any help gratefully received...
Question relates to my wife. I'm on an H1, she's on an H4. EB-2 GC is in process; though PERM isn't yet completed. So we're a while off.
She would desperately like to work here, but obviously is not allowed to on an H-4.
However, she has a SSN (she previously had a different visa). Hers is a purely freelance design field, generally working with individual clients (so no W9s or anything like that)
Question is whether her SSN does anything for her, and / or if there's any way she can start working as an independent contractor. As far as I can tell the only trace that would be left of her working would be a revenue stream on our tax filing, but of course detectability doesn't equate to legality...
Any help gratefully received...
Oct 13th 2010, 11:39 pm
#4
Septicity
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 23,762
Re: H4 with a SSN?
Probably a really stupid question, but I thought I'd ask as people here seem to know way more information than my company's useless immigation lawyers.
Question relates to my wife. I'm on an H1, she's on an H4. EB-2 GC is in process; though PERM isn't yet completed. So we're a while off.
She would desperately like to work here, but obviously is not allowed to on an H-4.
However, she has a SSN (she previously had a different visa). Hers is a purely freelance design field, generally working with individual clients (so no W9s or anything like that)
Question is whether her SSN does anything for her, and / or if there's any way she can start working as an independent contractor. As far as I can tell the only trace that would be left of her working would be a revenue stream on our tax filing, but of course detectability doesn't equate to legality...
Any help gratefully received...
Question relates to my wife. I'm on an H1, she's on an H4. EB-2 GC is in process; though PERM isn't yet completed. So we're a while off.
She would desperately like to work here, but obviously is not allowed to on an H-4.
However, she has a SSN (she previously had a different visa). Hers is a purely freelance design field, generally working with individual clients (so no W9s or anything like that)
Question is whether her SSN does anything for her, and / or if there's any way she can start working as an independent contractor. As far as I can tell the only trace that would be left of her working would be a revenue stream on our tax filing, but of course detectability doesn't equate to legality...
Any help gratefully received...
One solution would be to visit any country where she is allowed to work, do the work there, then spend her vacation time here. Probably not the one you were looking for.....and taxes might be a nightmare.
Oct 14th 2010, 12:39 am
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
Posts: 927
Re: H4 with a SSN?
She could try to find a sponsor for her own H-1B.
Oct 14th 2010, 1:32 am
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: East Bay Area
Posts: 2,192
Re: H4 with a SSN?
Probably a really stupid question, but I thought I'd ask as people here seem to know way more information than my company's useless immigation lawyers.
Question relates to my wife. I'm on an H1, she's on an H4. EB-2 GC is in process; though PERM isn't yet completed. So we're a while off.
She would desperately like to work here, but obviously is not allowed to on an H-4.
However, she has a SSN (she previously had a different visa). Hers is a purely freelance design field, generally working with individual clients (so no W9s or anything like that)
Question is whether her SSN does anything for her, and / or if there's any way she can start working as an independent contractor. As far as I can tell the only trace that would be left of her working would be a revenue stream on our tax filing, but of course detectability doesn't equate to legality...
Any help gratefully received...
Question relates to my wife. I'm on an H1, she's on an H4. EB-2 GC is in process; though PERM isn't yet completed. So we're a while off.
She would desperately like to work here, but obviously is not allowed to on an H-4.
However, she has a SSN (she previously had a different visa). Hers is a purely freelance design field, generally working with individual clients (so no W9s or anything like that)
Question is whether her SSN does anything for her, and / or if there's any way she can start working as an independent contractor. As far as I can tell the only trace that would be left of her working would be a revenue stream on our tax filing, but of course detectability doesn't equate to legality...
Any help gratefully received...
Oct 14th 2010, 1:37 am
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 1,455
Re: H4 with a SSN?
I am here on a H4 but I also have a SSN. I got it whilst I was an exchange student in the 1990s in Michigan. The only thing I have done with it is use it on our tax return. I know I can't work here and if I want to do paid employment I need to go back to the UK. I too want to work but we are still trying to sort out our GC situation.
If you are on a H4 in the USA you cannot do any kind of paid work. Not even if it is for a company out of the US and you would be getting paid to a bank account that is out of the US.
If you are on a H4 in the USA you cannot do any kind of paid work. Not even if it is for a company out of the US and you would be getting paid to a bank account that is out of the US.
