On: How to intern in Silicon Valley with a J1 visa

[coherentpony]

Do not wait 'a few weeks' before trying to get a social security number. You do have to be in the country for 10 days before you can apply, but apply immediately after that.

You can't be paid without a social security number.

[zerovox → coherentpony]

As someone who interned on a J1, you don't need an SSN to be paid. You do need an SSN to file a tax return at the end of the year however.

[jorde → coherentpony]

This was a mistake from my part, corrected.

[dublinben → coherentpony]

Sure you can. You can get a TIN instead. Non-citizens shouldn't be able to get a SS number.

[objclxt → dublinben]

> Non-citizens shouldn't be able to get a SS number

...nope, anyone employed in the US can get a social number. If you are not employed, but still have some form of taxable income (i.e, a scholarship) you can get a taxpayer identification number instead.

Citizenship is not required for a SSN - trust me, I know!

[jorde → dublinben]

J1 visa holders are instructed to get SSN, it's not limited to citizens at all.

[dublinben → jorde]

Thanks, I had no idea. I guess legal immigration isn't talked about nearly as much as illegal immigration.