Is the SSN still applicable?

M

miller667

New Member
Hi -

While I was in the USA in 2002 on an H1B visa, I applied for and received a Social Security number. I stayed in the US for 4 months and moved on to India. Is the SSN still valid and can I use it for any specific requirement in the United States?
Thanks in advance.
 
miller667 said:
Hi -

While I was in the USA in 2002 on an H1B visa, I applied for and received a Social Security number. I stayed in the US for 4 months and moved on to India. Is the SSN still valid and can I use it for any specific requirement in the United States?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

I guess it depends on what you want to use it for. But strickly speaking... once you get a SSN, it's yours from now on. If you come back in on a valid visa, you use the same SSN for work purposes (with proper authorization), driver's licence and so on...
 
Some SSNs are "not forever".

Also, you can ONLY use an SSN if you are in the US with the legal status to have one. For instance, you can not give your SSN to be paid, if you do not have authorization to work.
 
PraetorianXI said:
Some SSNs are "not forever".

Also, you can ONLY use an SSN if you are in the US with the legal status to have one. For instance, you can not give your SSN to be paid, if you do not have authorization to work.
Click to expand...

Once you get a SSN - it's yours forever or until the SSA decides to issue another one (very rare) - whether you are in the US or not. For example I've had an SSN for 12 years and for the year or so I was back in Canada I still had a valid SSN and was able to use my SSN for US taxes - even though I was not physically present in the US.

And if you received one and left the country, and came back years later and tried to reapply - guess what? They reissue you your old SSN. Based on all the "static" info on the SSN application form they are able to establish the fact that you are the same person as someone who already has an SSN.

Having a valid SSN and being able to legally work or even to be legally present in the US are completely independant of each other.
 
I bet many Americans would like their SSN invalidated and a new one issued, if it's got a bad credit history attached to it. :D

Since it's used as a universal tracking number, I don't think it's easy to get a new one (and may not be wise, because you would confuse the SSA/IRS and possibly lose the one work quarter you earned towards your future social security benefits, as well as your tax record).

The only cases I can think of would be in case of severe identity theft and if you're part of the Witness Protection Program.
 
While we're at the topic of social security and taxes, you've made sure to file a U.S. nonresident tax return for 2002, even if you were in India, correct?
 
SSN Validity

I have a similar question. However, I was in the US back in 1999 on an F1. I applied for an SSN and got it. I returned to India after graduating. Now, I have a valid L1 petition (individual) and am going for my visa interview. Do they usually check the SSN history based on the passport number etc. before issuing a visa? Also, is the SSN number still valid?
 
Your SSN should be the same. It's kept on record with the SSA. I don't know if they check your SSN history, is it important to you? My guess is that DHS and DOS has you listed under a bunch of other identifiers (your passport, visa numbers, etc.) and the SSN will become more important for the IRS and SSA when you actually come work here.
 
When I was in the US with an F-1 I got an SSN to work on campus. After graduation, I left the US and came back a few years later with an H1, and I used the same SSN. Having the SSN helped a lot, as I was able to immediately get an apartment and open a bank account without the delays and hassles that would have occurred if I had to wait for a new SSN.
 
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