LinkTen

If arriving in the US without a job offer (job hunting on arrival) under the J1 Exchange Visitor Program (Sponsored by BUNAC), can you apply for a Social Security Number as soon as you land, or do you have to wait until you have a job offer first?

Hotscot

A J1?
What activity will you be involved in? Just curious.

Anyway...no access to Google?

http://www.ciee.org/hire/work/knowle...lSecurity.aspx

Pulaski

It's the visa that entitles you, or not, to an SSN, having a job offer is irrelevant. In any case you'll be asked for your SSN under all sorts of other circumstances, including but not confined to, applying to rent an apartment, applying for a drivers licence, connecting utilities, etc. So, apply for your SSN as soon as possible.

LinkTen

Oddly enough, I didn't actually find that when googling. I noticed a few websites stating that if you're on a J1, you have to have a job offer before you can apply for a social security number/card. It mentioned university students though, so I'm guessing it's different for students on J1 looking for work.

As for activities, I'm applying for seasonal jobs at the moment, Mainly hotel, holiday resorts, camping grounds etc. No luck so far, however I'll keep at it and am hoping to have something secured by the time I fly out in June (as long as my visa interview goes fine next month).

Great, thanks. I was concerned as I thought I couldn't apply for a SSN until I had a job offer, which would have meant I couldn't open a bank account I believe.

Glad I can apply for one when I land however.

Hotscot

Where are you headed? curious.

LinkTen

No idea. Have a flight booked to JFK in early June, the day after I finish university. I need to do some research, but will most likely get a domestic flight and head towards a popular holiday destination and look for work.

With the entire US a possibility, hopefully I can find a job beforehand.

Otherwise I'll just be travelling around America for as long as my £3k savings last, then head home, which could be anywhere from a week (within NYC) to a month or two (somewhere rural with a tent? ).

Hotscot

http://www.ndoiljobs.com/listings

Duncan Roberts

You apply when you land, unless something changed. When I did work America I applied 3 days after I landed.

Bob

Don't need a SSN to open a basic bank account.