How to apply for SSN and the example

Introduction

 

This article introduces how to apply for SSN and practical examples.

 

Social security number (SSN)?

 

A description of SSN is available in the Social Security Administration (Figure 1).

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/

Figure 1. SSN for noncitizens

 

Changes due to COVID-19

 

COVID-19 has caused changes in SSA office operations (Figure 2).
You cannot register immediately on the same day, and you must visit the SSA office after making a phone reservation.
The local SSA office address can be found in the link below.

 

https://www.ssa.gov/locator/

For J- visa holders, appointments are available only two weeks after exchange visitors have entered the country, and only if exchange visitors do not display symptoms of COVID-19.

 

Figure 2. Excerpt mail from SSA

 

The changes to the J-1 visa SSN application are updated in the link below.

https://j1visa.state.gov/covid-19

Exchange Visitor Program Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) - BridgeUSA

 

How to apply

 

You can receive the location and phone number of your local office through the SSA office locator above (Figure 3).

 

Figure 3. SSA office in New York Manhattan

 

There were many inconveniences because online reservations were not possible.

Call the appropriate phone number.
You can try to make a contact call through a series of steps by pressing the number with the keypad.
However, as is the case with the U.S. administration, you must wait 20 to 30 minutes or longer to speak to the person in charge.

 

If you talk to the person in charge about

'I want to make an application to apply for an SSN'

and talk about the type of visa, address, name, phone number, and so on, the reservation schedule will be set.

 

 

Essential documents

 

1. SS-5 (Application form)

2. Evidence of age and identity - Passport and Visa

3. DS-2019

4. Evidence of immigration - I-94

 

For more information, see the SS-5 application form created by SSA (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Except of SS-5

 

SS-5 can also be written in the SSA office on the day of reservation.

 

In the case of Woojoodrem,

the person in charge only checked SS-5, passport, DS-2019 on the day of the reservation, but did not check other documents.

 

SSA office in Manhattan

 

These are pictures of the SSA office in Manhattan (Figure 5-6).

 

Figure 5. SSA office 1

Figure 6. SSA office 2

 

Enter, confirm your reservation, and wait.
When it's your turn, the process will be completed in about 5 minutes after submitting the document.

Once your application is complete, you will be notified that your Social Security Card will be mailed within two business days and will be provided with a confirmation document (Figure 7).

 

Figure 7. Confirmation