Brett

Hi,

I entered the US 6 weeks ago on an E3-Visa and applied for a SSN the day
after I arrived. But I still haven't received my SSN!

How long did it take for other E3 visa Aussies?

Is there anything I can do to speed things up?

Thanks,
Brett.

CK78

Hi Brett,

I actually just got mine recently, it took 4 weeks and 2 days. Ring up the 1800 number and ask them for the local office phone number that you lodged your application with. I rang my local office after 4 weeks and they told me that it had been assigned. The actual SSN number assignment took about 3 weeks only but the time taken for post to reach me ended up being 4 weeks & 2 days.

Ring up the local office and ask them what stage is the application at. The 1800 number folks will not tell you anything. Also, I waited a week to apply for the SSN as someone had told me that it takes around that time period for Social Security to have your details lodged from the Department of Homeland Security.

Cheers
CK78

Brett

CK78 wrote:
    >>Hi,
    >>I entered the US 6 weeks ago on an E3-Visa and applied for a SSN the
    >>day
    >>after I arrived. But I still haven't received my SSN!
    >>How long did it take for other E3 visa Aussies?
    >>Is there anything I can do to speed things up?
    >>Thanks,
    >>Brett.
    >
    >
    > Hi Brett,
    >
    > I actually just got mine recently, it took 4 weeks and 2 days. Ring up
    > the 1800 number and ask them for the local office phone number that you
    > lodged your application with. I rang my local office after 4 weeks and
    > they told me that it had been assigned. The actual SSN number
    > assignment took about 3 weeks only but the time taken for post to reach
    > me ended up being 4 weeks & 2 days.
    >
    > Ring up the local office and ask them what stage is the application at.
    > The 1800 number folks will not tell you anything. Also, I waited a week
    > to apply for the SSN as someone had told me that it takes around that
    > time period for Social Security to have your details lodged from the
    > Department of Homeland Security.
    >
    > Cheers
    > CK78
    >

I applied the day after I arrived. I wonder if that was a mistake?

I thought i'd do better than that and go in there and face the queue
(again). They have told me that they are waiting for more details from
immigration (to confirm my visa status) despite my visa being right in
front of them.

I rang up immigration and they said that SS always blame them, but they
actually have all the information they need to release the number. It
doesn't have anything to do with immigration.

I guess this leaves me in the middle somewhere...still without a SSN...

Brett.

aviezer

I too applied the day after I arrived and go the SSN after one month, so I guess you just had bad luck.

sallyj

Ok, now I'm mad. I am in Canada and went to the US for 1 week for a client visit. This was my first E-3 entry. I went to the SSN office and she turned me away saying I had to get 'something' from immigration in order for her to process the SSN. It was my last day there so I couldnt investigate this further. I planned to follow up next week when I return, but from what I have just read here, I should have said she doesnt need anything more than what is already in my passport. Aaaargh..

Also - do we get something more permanent rather than the white form in our passport? If so, how do we apply for this.

Sal

Kevin Keane

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Without knowing exactly what she asked for, I can't really answer that
question. I can speculate, though:

The E-3 is very new, and she may not have been familiar with it. Her
"cheat sheet" may only have listed E-1 and E-2 as "work authorized", and
she may have asked for an employment authorization document. If that's
the case, it doesn't exist - you might need to talk to a supervisor at
the social security office to get it straightened out - and even he
might not know about an E-3.

sallyj wrote:
    >> I too applied the day after I arrived and go the SSN after one month,
    >> so I guess you just had bad luck.
    >
    > Ok, now I'm mad. I am in Canada and went to the US for 1 week for a
    > client visit. This was my first E-3 entry. I went to the SSN office
    > and she turned me away saying I had to get 'something' from
    > immigration in order for her to process the SSN. It was my last day
    > there so I couldnt investigate this further. I planned to follow up
    > next week when I return, but from what I have just read here, I should
    > have said she doesnt need anything more than what is already in my
    > passport. Aaaargh..
    >
    > Also - do we get something more permanent rather than the white form in
    > our passport? If so, how do we apply for this.
    >
    > Sal
    >


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aviezer

No, we do not get something more permanent rather than the white form in our passport. That is enough. The SS officer was probably asking for a work permit, like he did in my case at first (which E-3 spouses need) but had the officer read further he would have seen the the pricipal E-3 holder only need passport and I-94

Brett

sallyj wrote:
    >>I too applied the day after I arrived and go the SSN after one month,
    >>so I guess you just had bad luck.
    >
    >
    > Ok, now I'm mad. I am in Canada and went to the US for 1 week for a
    > client visit. This was my first E-3 entry. I went to the SSN office
    > and she turned me away saying I had to get 'something' from
    > immigration in order for her to process the SSN. It was my last day
    > there so I couldnt investigate this further. I planned to follow up
    > next week when I return, but from what I have just read here, I should
    > have said she doesnt need anything more than what is already in my
    > passport. Aaaargh..

Ever get the feeling that they dont know what they're doing?

Brett

Brett wrote:
    > CK78 wrote:
    >
    >>>Hi,
    >>>I entered the US 6 weeks ago on an E3-Visa and applied for a SSN the
    >>>day
    >>>after I arrived. But I still haven't received my SSN!
    >>>How long did it take for other E3 visa Aussies?
    >>>Is there anything I can do to speed things up?
    >>>Thanks,
    >>>Brett.
    >>Hi Brett,
    >>I actually just got mine recently, it took 4 weeks and 2 days. Ring up
    >>the 1800 number and ask them for the local office phone number that you
    >>lodged your application with. I rang my local office after 4 weeks and
    >>they told me that it had been assigned. The actual SSN number
    >>assignment took about 3 weeks only but the time taken for post to reach
    >>me ended up being 4 weeks & 2 days.
    >>Ring up the local office and ask them what stage is the application at.
    >>The 1800 number folks will not tell you anything. Also, I waited a week
    >>to apply for the SSN as someone had told me that it takes around that
    >>time period for Social Security to have your details lodged from the
    >>Department of Homeland Security.
    >>Cheers
    >>CK78
    >
    >
    > I applied the day after I arrived. I wonder if that was a mistake?
    >
    > I thought i'd do better than that and go in there and face the queue
    > (again). They have told me that they are waiting for more details from
    > immigration (to confirm my visa status) despite my visa being right in
    > front of them.
    >
    > I rang up immigration and they said that SS always blame them, but they
    > actually have all the information they need to release the number. It
    > doesn't have anything to do with immigration.
    >
    > I guess this leaves me in the middle somewhere...still without a SSN...
    >
    > Brett.

I finally got it after about 3 months of waiting.

Brett.

mdyoung

SSA will not assign an SSN or issue a card if your status has expired or is
within 14 days of expiring.

The status/documents of all aliens must be verified before SSA will
assign an SSN and/or issue a card.

The SSA office will try to verify your status through the SAVE system
while you are in the office. If they can't, they will send a form G-845
to immigration for manual verification. This could delay the assigning
of an SSN and/or issuing a card for weeks and some times months.

If the SSA office does send the G-845, suggest that you go back to the
SSA office no more than once a week with your documents to (1) ask them
to check SAVE again (2) ask if they sent a G-845 (3) if yes, did it come
back (4) after 30 days ask if they have followed up on the G-845 by
calling or sending another mark "second request."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203720
RM 00203.720 Verifying Immigration Documents
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203735
RM 00203.735 Requesting Online (Primary) Verification By SAVE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After having waited at least 30 days and your local SSA office doesn't
seem concerned about following up on the G-845 you can try contacting
the SSA Regional Office (RO) responsible for your state:

http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/natlpocontacts.html

Refer them to this:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203740
RM 00203.740 Requesting Additional (Manual) Verification By DHS

B. PROCEDURE – HOW TO REQUEST MANUAL VERIFICATION

STEP 6

DHS should respond to SSA within 15 federal work days after receiving
the Form G-845. If DHS does not respond within 15 federal work days from
the receipt of the G-845 from SSA, follow-up with the DHS, USCIS
Immigration Status office. (Allow 15 days plus five additional federal
work days of mail time for the G-845 to be received at and returned from
DHS.

Follow local practice to follow-up with DHS. Some SSA offices have an
arrangement with the DHS, USCIS office to telephone for the follow-up
contact; other SSA offices send a copy of the original G-845 annotated
“second request.”) If the DHS response is still not received within 15
federal work days after the follow-up contact (if the follow-up is by
mail allow five additional federal work days of mail time for the G-845
to be received at and returned from DHS), make a second follow-up
contact. If the DHS response is not received within 15 federal workdays
(again, if the follow-up is by mail, allow five additional federal work
days of mail time for the G-845 to be received at and returned from
DHS), after two follow-ups, contact the RO. Also report to the RO any trend that shows a serious deviation by DHS from the above time frames. The RO will consult with central office.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203020
RM 00203.020 Number of Documents Required for an SSN Card

2. Original (and new SSNs)

At least two documents are required and should be requested.

b. Aliens

A foreign born individual should always be requested to submit a foreign birth certificate if one is in his/her possession or if one can be easily obtained. However, if a foreign birth certificate does not exist
or cannot be obtained, accept alternative evidence of age.

The DHS document, I-94, or employment authorization
document establishes work authorization and identity. If the DHS document is used to establish work authorization and identity, the alien must provide another document, such as a passport or birth certificate, to establish age.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203500
RM 00203.500 Employment Authorization for Nonimmigrants

C. POLICY - EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION BY CLASS OF ADMISSION

The following policy applies to employment authorization by class of
admission.

1. Aliens Work Authorized Without Specific DHS Authorization

The following lists nonimmigrants, by alien classification, who are
authorized to work in the U.S. without specific authorization from DHS.
The alien's I-94 will not have the DHS employment authorization stamp
and the alien will not have an EAD.

E-3 --Treaty trader in a specialty occupation (principal alien)

2. Aliens Who Require an EAD From DHS Authorizing Employment

The following lists nonimmigrants, by alien classification, who are authorized to work with authorization from INS. Employment authorization must be shown on an EAD.

E-3 -- spouse or child of principal treaty trader in a specialty occupation

Ameristrasian

It's been 5 weeks and I STILL have not received my SSN yet. In addition to that, I applied for it in Washington DC and I'm now in NYC, living and working. This is becoming an extremely big inconvenience for me as I living on cash advances from home right now!

Ameristrasian

I called SS today - they said because I did not wait 10 days to apply for my SSN on entering the country, it will now take me longer - up to 60 days! This is REDICULOUS because that means it could take an extra week for the mail to reach me...

I don't recall ever being told to wait at least 10 days ...but let this be a warning to anyone in future!

mdyoung

OK that's total BS. When you apply for your SSN the office tries to verify your status through SAVE while you are there. If they can't they send a Form G-845 to the local immigration office for manual verification. However, if you have been here less than 10 days when you first applied the office is supposed to hold the application until the 10th day and try SAVE again before sending the G-845. Plus once the G-845 is sent there is nothing to stop then from again checking SAVE to verify yout status. First way that verifies your status wins.

RM 00203.720 Verifying Immigration Documents:

http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0100203720

If the SSA office does send the G-845, I suggest that you go back to the SSA office no more that once week with your documents to (1) ask them to check SAVE again (2) ask if they sent a G-845 (3) if yes, did it come back (4) after 30 days ask if they have followed up on the G-845 by calling or sending another mark “second request.”

If the Service Rep at the front desk gives you a hard time about this start yelling for the office manager.

Ameristrasian

Okay now I am *****ing p*ssed off. I just called the Social Security office again and they basically told me they're not obligated to expedite the process and that they've already sent out a second request to get my immigration details cleared but have not received a response from Immigration yet and that they can't do anything about it until July 31st ...JULY 30 - *****ING - 1st!!!!!

This is *rediculous* ...apparently immigration have me entered as being in the country under a U-VISA - someone who is a victim of violence, sexual assault or some other crime and seeking relief! WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!! The SS office are extremely rude too - *any* attempt to ask for information, not a request for them to speed things up , but simply a request for information or help is met with the most terse rudeness and contempt.

***** the social security office - if I could I'd fire the entire staff and make them wait 3 months in a line to get their welfare cheques.

Ameristrasian

It is now July 10th ...to add insult to injury, their farce of a local branch phone system is completely unusable and it is *impossible* to reach a representative.

I might have to take a day off work and go all the way down to Washington DC just to check the *status* of my SSN ...not even going to bother talking about accelerating the process.

It is just ****ing rediculous ...it has been 12 weeks now and I'm living solely off cash-advances from home.

Is there anyone I can complain to?