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In order to be legally eligible for work within an ICEO employer under the Work & Travel Program (J-1 visa category), you must first apply for a Social Security Number (link to US Social Security webpage). This must be done before you arrive to your Employer and is crucial in the Employer's ability to provide to you a paycheck, the government's ability to track tax payments (refunds) and serves as a crucial form of U.S. identification. All American born citizens are provided a social security number at birth.
Applying
When applying for a Social Security Number you will need to provide an address, to which your Social Security Card will be sent. Please use your employer's address when applying for your social security number and that may be found within your Post - Arrival Guide.
Required Documents
You will need to take the following documents with you to the Social Security office:
- DS 2019 form
- I-94 card
- Passport
- Visa
- Letter from Sponsor (ICEO)
- 2 forms of Identification (drivers license, student id, etc...)
The Social Security application process isn't long and should take no more than 15 minutes to complete, however, once you have submitted your application the following will take place:
- Your point of entry into the U.S. will be confirmed
- Your program will be confirmed as registered or not, depending on the findings of the Social Security officer
- Should your point of entry not be confirmed, the Social Security officer will contact the Los Angeles, Ca Social Security office to verify your registration in the SEVIS system. If you are registered correctly the application will go through in about 2 to 3 days.
- If you are not registered properly in the SEVIS system the Los Angeles Social Security office will contact the Washington D.C. branch of Social Security and an investigation will ensue.
Time Frame
Delays are common when applying for a Social Security Number and should be expected. It usually takes two to three months to receive your actual card, however, that time can be reduced by making sure that you have done the following correctly:
- Placed the correct address you will be living (or Employer's address)
- Completed your Social Security application accurately
- Arrived to the proper port of entry for your Employer's location
- Had all proper documents when applying for your number
- Registered properly in the SEVIS system
It is very important that once you apply for your Social Security Number that you ask the Social Security Officer for a "Receipt of Application." This can be an extremely important document in providing you with a paycheck until your Social Security Card arrives. Failure to retrieve this document may lead to a delay in you receiving a paycheck depending on your employer.
Should you encounter any problems at a Social Security office, please contact ICEO immediately.
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