A hard copy brochure is available to you at no charge, provided that you are a current client of the Bomza Law Group.

Our brochure, Guidelines to Settlement in the U.S., is a document prepared by our placement and settlement consultants in partnership with our immigration lawyers to provide our clients with a wealth of information covering:

Searching for a job

Hunting for an apartment/home

Getting to know the U.S.

Understanding the U.S. government systems

Describing the U.S. way of life

Settling into your community

Familiarizing yourself with the U.S. demographics

Outlining your freedoms, rights and obligations

Knowing the U.S. tax system

etc

Over the past few years the U.S. has experienced dynamic growth and activity in industries such as Information Technology (IT), Engineering, Financial and Film Production.

In the U.S., skilled professionals in particular industries have become more difficult to find due to the global technology boom of the 90s. Corporations are faced with the challenge of seeking out their team beyond the ocean borders. The corporate talent leaders are no longer found just in Canada and the United States.

The North American career market has emerged as a widely recognized international talent pool. The immigration law firm of Bomza Law Group takes pride in welcoming and assisting you to a promising career and future in a new country.

We respond to the escalating labour demands in the U.S. We assist our talented and experienced skilled professionals by familiarizing and introducing you to the growing U.S. employment market.

In particular, our firm is affiliated with the recruiting firm, Visions North America. This Toronto-based job search firm services clients and candidates in the U.S., as well as Canada.

There can be considerable confusion with respect to taxation when a citizen of one country moves to another country to reside either temporarily or permanently. While residency is a primary determining factor in the taxation or non-taxation of an individual, the United States taxation system is actually based upon citizenship rather than residency.

As such, U.S. citizens are required to pay federal income taxes even on income earned outside of the U.S.. However, certain foreign income exclusions and foreign tax credits do exist which reduce the federal income tax otherwise payable.

As for individuals moving to the U.S., a consideration of the tax laws of their country of citizenship or permanent residency is imperative. The interplay between those laws and the American tax laws will have significant effects on the individual. For example, Canada and the U.S. have signed an income tax treaty to prevent the double taxation of the same income by the two countries. This could otherwise occur frequently as Canadian citizens and permanent residents are subject to Canadian tax on their worldwide income for as long as they remain "residents" for income tax purposes. Where according to the laws of U.S. that Canadian citizen or permanent resident is also considered to be a resident of the U.S., a conflict arises which must be resolved. Preferably, these issues should be examined and explained to clients moving between Canada and the U.S. or across international borders before the move takes place to ensure better preparation and a smooth transition.

Application Form

An alien is required to apply for a Social Security Card before he or she can be paid by the employer. Applications for Social Security Cards are made using Form SS-5. A downloadable Form SS-5 is available from the Social Security Administration Web Site in Adobe PDF format. Download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to use the form.

Supporting Documentation

In addition to the application form, the Social Security Office normally requires evidence of age, citizenship, and identity. According to the instructions to Form SS-5, this normally means providing a birth certificate. In addition to a birth certificate, the Social Security Office requires one additional document showing identity. An applicant who is not a U.S. citizen must provide a foreign birth certificate or passport and proof of lawful status in the United States.

With regard to proof of status, this usually means the I-94 Departure record issued to a nonimmigrant alien upon entry to the United States or the Form I-551 Alien Registration Receipt Card (green card) issued to lawful permanent residents. The Social Security Office must be shown the original documents. Persons who are 18 or older who are applying for their first Social Security Card must apply in person.

Social Security Cards for Nonimmigrant Dependents

Dependents who are not authorized to work in the United States may still be issued Social Security Cards, if they are in the country legally and need a card for some other valid reason. Such a Social Security Card will be marked to show that the alien cannot work.

Even if a nonimmigrant dependent cannot obtain a Social Security Card, they can obtain a tax number from the Internal Revenue Service which will permit them to be claimed as dependents on the principal alien's U.S. income tax return.

Where to Apply

Applicants should apply for their Social Security Card at the nearest Social Security Office (click here to search by zip code.) However, the office closest to the Peace Bridge in Buffalo, New York is:

Social Security Administration, Field Office
111 W HURON STREET
BUFFALO , NY 14202
Tel: (800) 772-1213
TTY: (800) 325-0778
Office Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
(LOCATED ON W. HURON ST BETWEEN DELAWARE AND ELMWOOD AVENUES.)

Bomza Law Group
Immigration Lawyers
45 St. Clair Avenue West, Suite 1000
Toronto, Ontario, M4V 1K9, Canada
Tel: 416-598-8849 or 1-800-993-9971
Fax: 416-598-0331
www.BomzaLawGroup.com

| Our Expertise | Our Services | Our Professional Team | Canadian Immigration | United States Immigration | Work Visas/Employee and Executive Transfers | Beyond Immigration | Questionnaire: Do You Qualify? | Resource Center | Contact Information | Back To Home |

Copyright © 2007: Bomza Law Group.  All rights reserved.
Designed by: Add Value International Inc.