Ok, now that my husband is finally here, in the US, can he start working BEFORE he has his actual social security card in hand? How long does it generally take to receive it? Before, After, or the same time as the green card arrives? Today, we went to the social security office to apply for his card, but they said it was already in the system, processing, (i guess it's because we checked the box that we wanted them to issue a social security number upon arrival) Ok, so this is great...but how long?! We need him to start working now....we need that second income....he's already got a job lined up.....he should have his interview this week.....

I guess his best option is to talk to his employer, so that he can wait for the SSN card to arrive.

I can tell you my experience with that issue though: I received my greencard in November 2006 and only two months after did I receive the SSN (I actually went back to Brazil to visit my family instead of waiting for it here). The SS office told me at the time they were processing it, even though I had already proven to them my resident status, and it might take months.

However, I'm not saying this is going to happen to you. I'm in California, and the SS offices seem very busy around here, which may not be the case where you are.

Best of luck to you and Roberto.

Vanessa

The SS card should take 2-3 weeks maximum. If not then there's something wrong somewhere at the SS office.

Yes, your husband may work without a Social Security card or number. His endorsed visa is proof of his employment eligibility (if the employer has questions he can find the answers at SSA.gov and the form I-9 instructions. The document is known as an MRIV/Machine Readable Immigrant Visa).

Employers may hire candidates who have applied for, but not yet recieved, their Social Security Card.

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Do legal aliens need a Social Security number to work?

Question
We are a company who is hiring legal aliens without Social Security numbers. Do they need a number to work, or just a work permit?

Answer
You are required to get each employee's name and Social Security number and to enter them on Form W-2. (This requirement also applies to resident and nonresident alien employees.) You should ask your employee to show you his or her social security card. The employee is required to show the card, if available. You may, but are not required to, photocopy the Social Security card if the employee provides it.

A non-U.S. citizen employee who does not have a Social Security number may apply for one by completing Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card. To apply for a card, he or she will need to complete Form SS-5 which is available for download. Or they may obtain Form SS-5 by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting the local Social Security office.

The employee will need to submit Form SS-5 with evidence of age, identity and current authorization to work from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). (The application cannot be filed by the employer.) The immigration document may be acceptable as evidence of both identity and authorization to work in the United States. All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency.

To apply for a replacement card, the employee will need to submit Form SS-5 with evidence of identity and current authorization to work from the DHS. We cannot accept photocopies of documents. We need original documents or copies certified by the custodian of the record. Notarized copies are also not acceptable.

If the employee is a noncitizen, we must verify their documents with the (DHS) before we issue a card. We will issue the card within two days of receiving verification from DHS. Most of the time, we can quickly verify documents online with DHS. If DHS can't verify the documents online, it may take several weeks or months to respond to Social Security's request.

Employers may hire foreign workers who have applied for and are waiting to receive Social Security numbers and cards. The employee may work while the Social Security number application is being processed. If your employee applied for an SSN but does not have it when you must file Form W-2, enter "Applied for" on the form. When the employee receives the SSN, file Form W-2c, Corrected Wage and Tax Statement, to show the employee's SSN.

Note that these are SSA's instructions to employers. The Social Security card was applied for with the Enumeration At Entry program on DS-230.