An F-1 student now faces a job crisis with their OPT work. You have an Employment Authorisation Document with a start date of February 16. Yet you cannot join your new job without a Social Security Number.
No SSN Before EAD
You have a job offer in hand but you never worked before. That means you do not have an SSN. The Social Security Administration issues an SSN only on or after your EAD date begins.
Long Processing Delay
You apply for an SSN only after February 16. The approval and delivery often take around a month. Your company HR often does not wait that long and this puts your offer at risk.
OPT Days at Risk
You feel the pressure because every delay eats into your OPT unemployment days. USCIS allows only a limited number of these days. You lose them even when the delay comes from government rules.
Experts Suggest a Workaround
Experts advise you to take any on campus job as soon as your EAD begins. You then apply for an SSN right away. This step lets you start the SSN process without waiting for your main job.
How to Save Your Offer
You give the SSN application receipt to your company HR. This shows you have applied and helps you keep your job offer. You then start work once the SSN arrives.
Some Loss Still Happens
You still lose some unemployment days. The SSN usually arrives after your EAD start date. Even so this plan protects your main job and limits further damage.
