I’m currently living in the U.S. but I don’t have a Social Security Number or an ITIN. I’ve been offered remote work with a company that’s based outside the U.S., and all the payments would come from abroad. I’m confused about whether this is allowed. Is it possible for me to legally work remotely for a foreign company while living in the U.S. without an SSN or ITIN?
Answer by: abdullah-al-naim
2 weeks ago
No—you generally cannot legally work in the U.S. without proper authorization, even if the employer is foreign and payments come from abroad. U.S. immigration law looks at your physical location, not where the company is. If you’re inside the U.S., you need the right visa and work authorization to perform services.
That said, you don’t need an SSN or ITIN just to sit abroad and work remotely. But once you’re in the U.S., the rules change. To stay compliant, it’s best to either adjust your immigration status or explore business setups like forming an LLC. Companies like Business Globalizer or Expedite Formation, help foreigners establish U.S. entities, get EINs/ITINs, and handle compliance properly.
Bottom line: if you’re physically in the U.S., you need authorization. If you’re abroad, you can work remotely without an SSN or ITIN.
