Your next step is to get a social security number, which is the same thing as a Canadian social insurance number. You can't do anything without it. There are tons of locations, which you can check on the web, and it's a very simple process. Show up with a passport, fill out the one page form, and that's it. It usually takes two weeks to get it in the mail, it's just a piece of paper (as opposed to a plastic card, that you're not allowed to laminate for some reason). Since having the number is urgent, you can call up the social security office about two or three days later and they'll tell you over the phone. Links To Check Social Security Web Site Social Security Office Locator