EAD and social security number

[shankar7]

I am in USA on fiance visa. Do I have the permission to work right away or I have to wait for my EAD? And Can I get Social Security number without the EAD. Please advice.

[coldface]

You have to have an EAD before you can legally work. In different SSA offices, you do not need an EAD to file for your SSN. Some demand it, some just accept your passport, valid I-94 (that is not within 2 weeks of expiring), and birth certificate. Bring all original documents with you to your local SSA office. They will make copies for their records.

I got my SSN six weeks after my arrival in the US. Don't wait on your SSN. Go right away and apply. If you are not in their database yet because your arrival in the US was recent, they will take your paperwork and application form and send it off for manual verification. If this happens, make sure you get an official letter from them acknowledging your application. Verification takes between 2 and 6 weeks to complete. If everything is in order, you will receive a letter in the mail from the SSA office, and your card will arrive soon after.