10 days before applying for an SSN

[Netspirit]

I am an H-1B holder and my wife has had H-4 for a while.

She is now temporary abroad and we have just received our EAD cards. When she is back to the U.S. will she have to wait for 10 days prior to applying for her SSN? Do people have to wait 10 days after each landing, or is it for newcomers (first-time landing) only?

[PraetorianXI]

there's no "wait time". It will take about 4-6 weeks for it to be issued, so apply right ahead.

[txh1b]

No such thing for EAD holders. SSA usually validates the I-94 status (non-EAD cases) from USCIS/CBP to verify if the person qualifies for a SSN. It is just that the I-94 records takes some time to get in the system for a new entrant to US and hence the delay in verification.

If SSA does not find the I-94 data in its system, they send a verification request to CBP and results in delays.