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Q: Applying for a SSN in the US as a Foreigner ( Answered,   0 Comments )
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Subject: Applying for a SSN in the US as a Foreigner
Category: Miscellaneous
Asked by: andyhiggins-ga
List Price: $5.00
Posted: 12 Oct 2002 07:00 PDT
Expires: 11 Nov 2002 06:00 PST
Question ID: 75711
Hi

I would like to know how one goes about applying for a US Social
Security Number (SSN) as a foreigner (if at all possible). I conduct
business in the US (mostly through the Internet) and although it is
not imperative to have a SSN it would just make my life a whole lot
easier if I did (e.g. when filling in forms and one of the compulsory
fields is your SSN). I have a US Street Address and telephone number
(in Miami, Florida) as well as a US company (a LLC registered in
Delaware).

See one of my previous questions: Opening a US bank account without a
SS Number
https://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=28508

I would be most grateful if some one could tell me how I could get a
SSN (I am based in South Africa).

Thank you.

Request for Question Clarification by politicalguru-ga on 12 Oct 2002 15:44 PDT
Dear Andy Higgins, 

Do you want to get it in South Africa, or are you willing to travel to
the US for that purpose? What kind of US Visa (if any) do you hold?
Answer  
Subject: Re: Applying for a SSN in the US as a Foreigner
Answered By: bcguide-ga on 12 Oct 2002 16:19 PDT
 
Hi,

In order to get a social security card you must be a citizen of the US
or have an immigration status that makes you authorized to work in the
US. You can get a nonwork purpose Social Security number, but you
cannot report earning with this number.

http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/422/422-0104.htm - §422.104 To whom
Social Security numbers are assigned.

The documents from the social security administration that specify the
requiremnets can be found at:
http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/422/422-0107.htm - §422.107 Evidence
requirements.

You can apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98926,00.html

and file the 1120 or 1120F
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-fill/f1120f.pdf

The EIN number cannot be used for employment in the US, but it does
allow a US or foreign business to establish a number to file taxes and
open bank accounts.

Search terms used: Social Security Number eligibility
and
IRS EIN

This solution should solve your dilemma.

Good luck with future searches,
bcguide-ga

Clarification of Answer by bcguide-ga on 16 Oct 2002 06:41 PDT
Hi,

An alternative to an EIN for your company, would be an Individual
Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw7.pdf

However, since you have a business, the EIN would be the more
appropriate number for you to use. The ITIN would be more useful to an
individual who was not eligible to request an EIN, but was required to
file US taxes.

The link above takes you directly to form W-7, the application for the
IRS ITIN.

bcguide-ga
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