Munter

Hi,

I have recently relocated to Rochester in upstate NY and have now been here a whole 3 weeks!

My husband has a SSN and mine will arrive in 2 weeks (although, so far, the USPS has been just as reliable as the good old Royal Mail )

My 16yr old daughter, who has had to return to school , would like to be able to find a PT job either after school or during the holidays etc. Does she need to obtain a SSN for this?

Will I have to endure the high level security and the endless wait in the SS Office again???

Thanks

Noorah101

What visa does the daughter have, or what is her status in the USA?

Rene

Munter

Hi

She has an L-2 visa and is a dependant of an intracompany (?) transferee

MarylandNed

Dependent children on L2 are not eligible for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). As an L2 spouse, you can work after your EAD application is approved.

Pulaski

This is correct. No EAD = no part-time job.

Munter

So, Is she unable to get a PT job at all?

MarylandNed

No - not without an EAD. And an L2 dependent child is not eligible for an EAD. However, you are eligible to apply for an EAD as the L2 spouse (which means that you could work once your EAD is approved).

Munter

Yes, my EAD application is in but she wanted to do something throughout the holidays, she is going to be disappointed

MarylandNed

She can do volunteer work.

Munter

Will her circumstances change when she turns 18? I am unsure how she would supplement any allowance when she goes off to college.

I'm dreading telling her the bad news

Owen778

You will need a TIN (tax identification number) of some sort for her when you do your taxes. Since she is ineligible for an SSN, you will need to apply for an ITIN. You apply for an ITIN by filing a W7 form with your US tax return.

Munter

Thanks we are in the process of applying for the ITIN but will she still be unable to do any unpaid work once this comes through?

Owen778

No, sorry, as long as she remains in L-2 dependent visa status.

Others may know if she can work if she changes status to a student visa.

Owen778

ITINs are basically for people who cannot work in the US, but need to file or be included on a US tax return.

Pulaski

Yes, so long as she is not doing work that is usually paid for. If she's working along side people doing the same job who are being paid, then that would be a no-no.