SSN acquired during J-1 work, still valid

[cactuscake 0]

I was looking for another topic to bump with this bit of info, but nothing seemed exactly relevant and I thought others may find it useful.

So, those of us who have worked in the US previously on a J-1 visa (usually for summer camp, like myself) may have been previously issued a Social Security Number and card. Now it should say on the card "Valid for work only with DHS authorization", meaning it is tied in with your current sponsor and authorization expires when your summer contract does.

Mine had no such statement printed on it, neither did it say "not valid for employment" (which is the other possible declaration). So as far as I could tell, this is a bog standard SSN just the same as any USC would get.

Tried to search for answers all over the web to establish where this puts me in regard to employment authorization... just got a heck of lot more confused!

In the end, I just rang up the SSA and asked them what their systems have me down as. Their answer was category 'B', which translates to 'resident alien with work authorization'. They explained that I can apply for any job I like, no sponsor or anything. I show up as legally employable on this new 'E-Verify' thingy too.

(note - I haven't even departed my home country on the K-1 yet). Now, I did put my SSN on my visa application forms, so there is a chance that my SSN has been recently updated by the US Embassy to include work authorization since my application was approved. But I'm pretty sure it has been valid ever since it was issued, because it never had the conditions printed on it!

Anyway, the point of my post is that if you're confused about an existing Social Security card and how long it will be before you can work in the States after arrival, EAD processing times, E-Verify, etc, etc... call the SSA and ask them about your number, you may just be able to start work sooner than you think!

Their number is 1-800-772-1213.

Hope this helps.

Joe.

[I'm Gone 60]

Your SSN and card are certainly still valid, since SSA doesn't cancel or delete numbers once assigned and cards don't expire.

However, if you were issued an unrestricted SSN card as a J-1, the office made a mistake and even though an unrestricted SSN card can be used as a work authorization document, using it as work authorization with K-1 status would be using it for something that you are not entitled.

BTW you need to check your SSN record and look at the "IDN" code.

RM 00202.235 Form SS-5 - Evidence (IDN) Codes

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0100202235

C -- The applicant is either a U.S.-born U.S. citizen, or foreign-born U.S. citizen, or lawfully admitted with work authorization. Neither “P” nor “H” applies.

H -- The applicant is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.

The CSP code of "B" is going to be on the SSN record of any alien assigned a work authorized SSN.