Can you apply for SSN even in the Philippines?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Sep 23, 2008

It is illegal for them to offer this. SSN can only be applied when you can prove you have a valid work visa and ITIN is only for people who can not have a SSN but are living in the US and need a US taxpayers identity

What is an ITIN?

An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service. It is a nine-digit number that always begins with the number 9 and has a 7 or 8 in the fourth digit, example 9XX-7X-XXXX.

IRS issues ITINs to individuals who are required to have a U.S. taxpayer identification number but who do not have, and are not eligible to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96287,00.html

suzanne4, RN · Sep 23, 2008

please do everyone a very big favor and please notify the us embassy in manila of this.

and any nurse that does this, needs to be very aware that they have an excellent chance of being denied by the us government for a visa if and when the time would come. more than likely one will be asked why they have and actual ca license in hand since they do not hold a ssn#, and they will have to come up with an excellent reason as to why they do. ssn# are only issued when the nurse is in the us under a visa that will permit them to work, there is no way that any agency can get the ssn# for someone. one actually has to go in person to the social security administration office with proper documentation to be able to apply for one. and as anna mentioned, there is no charge for one of these, so this is another red flag that should stop everyone in their tracks.

if ca wished to accept the itin#, then they would not have as a requirement that one possess a ssn# in the first place. this is to make sure that one can legally work in the us. bigger issue is that eventually one would get a ssn# if they can work in the us, and then how is one going to explain to the ca brn that they tried to scam something by stating that the itin# was their ssn# in fact when it was not. this could actually be grounds to get the license cancelled and the visa denied.

please contact the authorities in your country about this. having the itin# does not speed up anything in terms of immigration and one is looking at more than five years for a chance at a visa.

just a very bad idea. shame on this company for even stating this. definitely not visionary.

Daly City RN · Sep 24, 2008

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Applying and receiving Federal Social Security numbers is cost-free (assuming you are eligible to receive an SS card in the first place). I did not pay a single cent when I applied and was issued an SS card 30 years ago.

And it did not cost me a single cent when I applied for a new SS card recently, just before I "retired" from my civil service nursing job. (I have the same numbers of course for those of you who don't know) I lost my original SS card and I had to show an SS card during my formal retirement apppointment. I had to apply in person at the Social Security office in Alto Serramonte area of Daly City. It took only about a week to get it on the mail.

At no cost to me.

Don't pay those crooks the $300 they are asking!!!

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suzanne4, RN · Sep 24, 2008

You have to appear in person to receive the SSN# here in the US and possess a visa that will permit you to work legally here.

What this company is telling you is actually illegal and they need to be reported to the officials.

Shame on them.:banghead:

sjgc13 · Sep 24, 2008

Thank you very much for all the information. Now I know that what they are doing is illegal. They are trying to take advantage of the nurses here who are desperate, it's a good thing I asked for advice on this in this forum. I hope that this thread could be read by other nurses so that they could beware of this agency.

God Bless!!! Have a great day!!!

Lorodz · Sep 24, 2008

I came across this agency - VisionQwest Healthcare Services in the newspaper. Their ad said that for those nurses who have successfully passed their Ca NCLEX exam, the agency can help them claim your Ca License and Certificate from the Ca Board of Nursing by applying for your SSN/ITIN thru the agency.

If it's illegal, they should know it, and if they know it, they will face trouble than profit. It makes me wonder, why did they advertise in a newspaper where everyone can see? even the US immigration officials can get a copy.

Why not play along? (but make sure not to give them your money) tell them what Suzanne et al said and tell us what their reply is.

Keep us posted

suzanne4, RN · Sep 25, 2008

This agency is very aware of what they are doing, and they know that it is illegal as well. But it is a way for them to get money. And nothing more than that.

They will not be around to explain for one why they had gotten the ITIN# and tried to substitute it for the SSN# for CA BRN. That is considered fraud and falsifying a document and grounds to get the license revoked as well.

Until more of you start complaining to the US Embassy about this, things will not change.

markEmark · Sep 28, 2008

its a rip off.... never trust anyone unless they are registed on POEA... check on them first.

ngg1224 · Jan 20, 2009

Social Security Number is only issued to applicants who will go personally to the Social Security Office. You need a valid visa ( whether you are an immigrant or on working permit) to be able to get SSN.... and this service is FREE... and that agency who claims to be able to get SSN for an applicant in the Philippines for 300 dollars, is a BIG SCAMMER... You should report them to POEA or DOLE

spongebob6286, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2009

I came across this agency - VisionQwest Healthcare Services in the newspaper. Their ad said that for those nurses who have successfully passed their Ca NCLEX exam, the agency can help them claim your Ca License and Certificate from the Ca Board of Nursing by applying for your SSN/ITIN thru the agency.
Is this possible? that even if I am still in the Philippines, I can get my SSN/ ITIN? I called their office and they said that I would have to pay $300+ for the SSN/ITIN.
I tried to search the net for info on this one but I could not find one.
Thank you very much for any information. Have a great day!!!

i went to the social security administration to get a SSN a week ago and i read in the instruction forms that you if are not a US citizen you must show documents proving that you can legally stay and work in the US. there are lists of requirements you can bring but what i showed is the I 551 or the permanent resident card.

suzanne4, RN · Jan 23, 2009

Glad to hear that you finally made it over here. Best of luck to you.