Applying for SSN when I am in US on a B1 visa

[Rambo Prasad]

Hi Ranchers
I will be traveling to US on a b1 visa..I also have a stamped H1 visa(sponsored by another employer) with me.Now my plan is to apply for SSN(using my H1) when I am in US on the B1 visa and subsequently after that start my job hunt in US..Is it possible and legal to apply for SSN when I am in a B1 visa..?

Any suggestions how to go about this..?
[ November 05, 2008: Message edited by: Rambo Prasad ]

[Luke Kolin]

Originally posted by Rambo Prasad:
Is it possible and legal to apply for SSN when I am in a B1 visa..?

No. SSA will not give you one since you do not have an I-94 saying you are in H-1 status. Besides, you don't need an SSN to search for a job.

Luke

[Sri Anand]

SSN is something required to run payroll. you need to find out if there would be any conflict between your B1 and H1B during entry to USA. You can have multiple H1B but how does it work when you have a B1 and H1b did you get B1 stamped while you have H1B status ?
[ November 06, 2008: Message edited by: Raghunandan Mamidala ]
[ November 06, 2008: Message edited by: Raghunandan Mamidala ]

[Rambo Prasad]

Thanks Luke and Raghu..Looks like I will not be able to get a SSN when I am on a B1..