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Hi All,
I'm here with a regular B1 VISA as a support engineer in a US company. I will stay here for at least six months, but I'm not eligible to have a SSN because my VISA isn't a working VISA. I've tried to apply with a couple of bank that have rejected my paper.
I've also set a regular checking/saving account with CitiBank but they refused my application for the secured card too. Could you please suggest me how to overcome this problem?
Ciao

axel,

i am not an expert, but it sounds like this is the case where you're NOT considered a resident. your visa is, essentially, a visitor's visa (either variation of B1 - tourist or business, which you probably have) and you're not supposed to live OR work in the country with that status.

i don't know what your long-term plans are, but it'd definitely help if you were able to change your status to H1-B (you might have to leave and re-enter the country though). if the company you're working for is willing to sponsor you, i'd go for that first. the process usually takes 2-3 months. as soon as you change your status, you'll be able to obtain an SSN and establish credit history.