Identity papers, Driver’s License and Other Paperwork

A first recommendation is to always check for specific indications provided by the Human Resources Department at your spouse’s office.These are the documents you might need during your stay in New York:

❑ Valid Visa for the USA

❑ UN Spouse index number, if you do not have one from earlier assignments with your spouse

❑ PID in the USA (which will be different from your spouse’s one)

❑ UN Family Member ID Card

❑ Work permit

❑ Social security number

❑ Driver license

 

Visa for USA

Apply for a Visa before you leave for the USA. The instructions are sent together with your spouse’s official documents. Most spouses or registered partners are entitled to apply for a G-4 visa. See https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html for general information on visas.

UN Spouse Index Number

The spouse and dependents of UN staff members are normally issued a UN index number, which reflects the staff member’s index number. This number should not be mistaken for the PID Number (see below). 

Your own PID Number in the USA

 In order to obtain your PID number, your spouse needs to contact the UN Travel Unit (Tel. (212) 963 6292). If you arrived together with your spouse and you have a G-4 Visa, your applications can be processed at the same time. For a detailed explanation, check out NYLESA’s Career Support webpage 

 You will be required to provide the following documentation:

❑ Copy of the G4 Visa.

❑ Copy of both sides of the I—94 form, downloadable from: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/i-94

❑ Copy of the biographical page of your national passport.

❑ Copy of the UN staff PA reflecting the presence of a dependent.

The procedure is basically straightforward, but you will have to wait about a month to receive your PID number. If you apply for a work permit before receiving it, you can simply put the date of your arrival. When your PID number is delivered, your spouse will find it in the UN intranet at this address: 157.150.196.220/hcrs/jsp/searchPid.faces

Work Permit

Spouses holding G-4 visas are authorized to work for the United Nations and Missions to the United Nations without obtaining a work permit. You also have the right to work outside UN and obtain employment on the US job market. However, if you are not a citizen or a legal permanent resident, you need to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to prove that you may work in the USA. More information on EADs may be found here: https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/employment-authorization-document. You can apply for a work permit either as a self-employed person in your field of expertise, or after you have found a job and the employer is willing to provide you with a letter of intent to hire for that purpose.

How to obtain a Work Permit:

All issues related to work permits involving the US Mission to the UN are processed through the UN Travel and Transportation Section (UNTTS) Visa Committee (Visa Committee); https://iseek.un.org/nyc/departmental_page/visa-committee; dos-vc@un.org This office also provides UN staff members with advice regarding the application process.

There are detailed explanations, links to forms etc on NYLESA’s Career Support webpage. For additional advice on work permit issues, contact the NYLESA Career Support Team at careersupport@nylesa.org 

The application for the work permit or EAD must be submitted to the UN Travel and Transportation Section (UNTTS) Visa Committee. The full process is described in a document issued by the Visa Committee that you can find on this page: https://nylesa.org/members-only/career_resource/work-permit-faqs

NYLESA volunteers have also translated this document into other official UN languages, which you can also find in the same section of the NYLESA website. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the NYLESA Career Support Team at careersupport@nylesa.org if you have questions, or need help.

If your employment will not be with the UN, you will have to pay US taxes on the amount earned. Keep all your paperwork safely so that your tax return can be filed with the IRS at the appropriate time (normally, April 15 of each year). Work Permits need to be renewed regularly and will not be processed without submission of the tax transcripts for the relevant work period unless your taxes have been paid.

Social Security Number

 A Social Security Number (SSN) is a 9-digit number issued to citizens, permanent residents and temporary working residents. To a large extent, the SSN has become a national identification number even though its initial primary purpose was that of tracking individuals for taxation purposes. It allows you to apply for a driver’s license or obtain a post-paid mobile phone. You might be requested to provide a SSN to rent, buy or lease a vehicle, rent an apartment, buy a house or apply for credit.

 To apply for a SSN, you must appear in person at your local Social Security Office with the following:

❑ Completed application form: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf

❑ Valid Passport

❑ Copy of your most recent I-94 (Proof of Visitor Status): https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/search/recent-search

❑ For F Visa bearers, your I—20

❑ For J Visa bearers, your IAP—66 (pink copy)

❑ Verification of your employment authorization (work permit)

When you are applying for an EAD, you can also directly ask for a SSN, which you will get upon issuance of the work permit, without additional step.

Driver License

Holders of a valid US or Canadian driver’s license are eligible to drive in the US. US residents and Canadian nationals can exchange for free their driving license for a driving licence of the state they live after relocation (e.g.: New York State, New Jersey State) Residents of most other countries may temporarily drive in the US with a valid driver’s license from their home countries for a period anywhere between 3 months and a year after they are considered residents (in other words after they have a permanent address in the US), depending on the state they live in. The period is 3 months for residents of New York State. Beyond this period, you must have a valid driving license issued by the US state you live in to continue driving in the US. Your home country and your US state of residence may have signed a bilateral agreement allowing a national of this country to exchange for free his/her driving license for a driving license issued by this US state. It completely depends on the US state of residence and on your home country, on a case by case basis. Check the DMV website of your US state of residence, in case you were entitled to such exchange. If you are not – which is often the case – you must comply to the full process to get a driving license issued your US state of residence. Requirements for obtaining a US driver license varies with each state and careful attention must be paid to all required documents and procedures.

Consult the motor vehicle department in your state for further information and clarification: https://www.usa.gov/state-motor-vehicle-services

Some tips for acquiring a Driver’s License:

  • Check all the information available from your local DMV office
  • You must have a SSN (Social Security Number) to begin the process. See above on how to get your SSN.
  • Go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office near Penn Station to apply for a learner permit and take the written test – this is the only DMV office in NYC where you can go as a G4 visa holder (if you don’t live in the city check the DMV office in your county).
  • Prepare for a written test. Testing material is available from your local DMV office
  • An eyesight test will be undertaken at the local DMV office
  • Applicants resident in the state of NY will be required to complete a five-hour pre-licensing course and a road test. Applicants in NJ do not have to complete a pre-licensing course or do a road test as long as they present their foreign driver’s license
  • Visit your local DMV where you will be required to meet the six points of ID requirement in order to apply for a driver’s license. Visit this page for a list of acceptable documents to prove your identity: dmv.ny.gov/forms/id44.pdf. No appointment is needed but it is advised that you go early and expect to be there for over an hour. After passing the written test, the DMV releases a temporary learner’s permit. You will then receive at home in the mail a learner’s permit with which you will be allowed to sit the road test.
  • See “Drivers from other Countries” on the DMV site: https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/drivers-from-other-countries

IDNYC

The IDNYC program was launched in 2015 and is a free government-issued photo identification card for all New York City residents. Having an IDNYC card provides peace of mind and access to City services that come from having recognized and accepted piece of identification and saves you carrying around a passport or other photo ID. You do not need to be an American citizen to take advantage of this new municipal initiative. IDNYC cardholders can access services and programs offered by the city as well as by many participating businesses.

IDNYC also provides a dynamic series of benefits to cardholders, including a free one-year membership at many of the City’s leading museums, zoos, concert halls, and botanical gardens. Perks also include discounted movie tickets at participating cinemas, and discounts on many recreational activities.

To make an appointment, visit the IDNYC homepage for details. Going to get your IDNYC card takes between 20 minutes to an hour. Make sure you have the required documents with you and make sure your name is consistent on all the documents you bring to your appointment.