[H-GEN] Working for a USA company from my Australian home.

[Paul Gearon]

On Nov 27, 2006, at 2:27 PM, Ronald Bradford wrote:

> David,
>
> I think I might be able to nullify your need for talking to an  
> accountant.  I have just entered the US for work in the past 3  
> weeks.  I am still unpaid, because to get paid (legally) you must  
> have a Social Security Number.  To get a Social Security Number you  
> must be either a resident, or legally permitted to work in the USA,  
> and you have to go to a Social Security Office to apply for one in  
> person.

Uh, you may find that your employer has just decided that it is just  
"too hard".  I started working in the US back in February, and they  
have been paying me since day 1.  This was all sorted by the lawyers,  
etc.

I would speak to your company again about the "not being paid until  
you get an SSN", as Social Security can take MONTHS to get one to  
you!  (I should know!)  My company was able to use a temporary number  
(that they arranged), and then had to go back and fill in all the  
paperwork again once I had my real number.  I have heard of someone  
else who wasn't paid until her SSN came through (a little over 6  
months!), but I don't believe her employer (a hospital) was  
particularly motivated to help her.  Fortunately, her American  
husband could support her in this time.  I guess it's a great way to  
save.  :-)

Anyway, the short story for David is:- talk to an accountant.

> I can't see how it will actually work for you being employed as an  
> individual by a US company when you are neither physically here, or  
> have been physically here to begin with.
>
> For the record I entered on a E3 visa, which is a lot easier for an  
> employer, and easier to sell yourself as a possible resource, as  
> the US company does not have to go through the sponsorship process,  
> which saves a lot of time and money on their part.

Again, this is different to me.  My company DID have to go through  
the sponsorship process.  If you check out the website of the US  
Consulate you will see that the E3 application process is identical  
to the H1-B process.  Fortunately, E3 visas are easy to get than the  
H1-B visas were.


Paul