🪪 我是哪種簽證？能不能拿 SSN？能不能考保險牌？最完整簽證對照表
很多人在問保險、開公司、做副業之前，心裡都有一個大問號：
「我是這種簽證，可以拿 Social Security Number（SSN）嗎？」
「我能不能考保險牌？還是只能拿 ITIN？」
網路上的說法常常很混亂，有人說：
- 「L1 可以，家屬就不行。」
- 「H1B 可以，H4 就看運氣。」
- 「學生只能拿 ITIN。」
實際上，規則沒有那麼可怕，可以用一句話先抓住重點：
🔑 能合法工作的人 → 一般可以申請 SSN → 多數情況下可考保險牌
不能合法工作的人 → 只能拿 ITIN 或完全沒有號碼 → 無法考保險牌
這篇是給各種簽證、外派、留學生、家屬們的一篇「實用對照表」。
不是法律建議，而是幫你把觀念理清楚，讓你知道：
- ✅ 你現在的簽證，大方向能不能拿 SSN？
- ✅ 有沒有機會考保險牌（Life & Health / P&C）？
- ✅ 哪些情況只能拿 ITIN、不能考照？
- ✅ 下一步可以怎麼準備？
實際規定請以 USCIS（移民局）＋各州 DOI（保險局）最新公告為準。
1️⃣ 先記住一條最重要的線：SSN vs ITIN
🔹 SSN（Social Security Number）
- 給「可以合法工作」的人（公民、綠卡、部分工作簽證、某些家屬）
- 用在：工作、報稅、貸款、開戶、背景調查、職業證照申請
- 多數州的保險執照申請，都會要求填 SSN
🔹 ITIN（Individual Taxpayer Identification Number）
- 給「不能合法工作，但需要報稅」的人
- 例如：不能工作的家屬、小孩、某些外國投資人
- 用途主要是報稅，不是身份證、不是工作許可
一句話總結：
能工作 → 走 SSN 這條路；
不能工作但要報稅 → 才會用 ITIN。
接下來，我們就看不同簽證的大方向。
2️⃣ L1 / L2：外派主管＋家屬
🟦 L1：外派主管／專業人士
- 性質：工作簽證（可以在美國合法受雇、領薪水）
- SSN：✅ 可以申請 SSN（因為有合法工作權）
- ITIN：❌ 一般不需要 ITIN
- 保險考照：📘 多數情況下可以（視州規定，但 SSN 是必要條件之一）
所以，如果你是 L1，本人來美國上班，
大方向是有機會考保險牌的（前提是符合各州 DOI 的條件）。
🟦 L2：L1 的配偶與小孩
- 配偶（spouse）：近年政策已放寬，多數情況下配偶有工作權
- ➡️ 配偶可以申請 SSN → ✅ 有機會考保險牌
- 小孩（child）：沒有工作權 → 只能申請 ITIN（若需要報稅）
- ➡️ 小孩不能考保險牌（也不需要）
簡單說：
- 👤 L1 本人：有 SSN → 有機會考照
- 💍 L2 配偶：通常可拿 SSN → 有機會考照
- 👧 L2 子女：ITIN or 無號碼 → 不考照
3️⃣ H1B / H4：常見的工程師家庭
🟨 H1B：專業人士（很多是工程師、會計師…）
- 性質：工作簽證，可合法受雇
- SSN：✅ 可以申請 SSN
- 保險考照：📘 有機會考照，只要符合州規定
🟨 H4：H1B 的家屬（配偶與小孩）
- 配偶：有些情況可以申請工作許可（EAD），例如 H1B 已經在某些排期階段
- 有 EAD 的 H4 配偶：✅ 可以申請 SSN → 有機會考照
- 沒有 EAD 的 H4 配偶：❌ 不能合法工作 → 通常只能 ITIN / 無號碼 → 不能考照
- H4 子女：和 L2 小孩類似，一般沒有工作權 → 不考照
所以 H4 的關鍵是：
「有沒有 EAD（工作許可）」 → 決定能不能拿 SSN → 影響能不能考牌。
4️⃣ F1 / F2 / OPT：留學生與家屬
🟩 F1：國際學生
- 平常只能做很有限的「校內工作」（on-campus job）
- 有校內工作、或核准的實習（CPT/OPT）時 → ✅ 可申請 SSN
- 沒有工作資格時 → ❌ 不會拿到 SSN，只能 ITIN（若有報稅需求）
從保險考照的角度：
- F1 若只是純學生、沒有長期工作計畫，通常 不會 建議走保險考照這條路
- 但如果是：快畢業＋有 OPT＋未來要轉工作簽證 → 可以當成「未來規劃的一部分」先了解
🟩 F2：F1 的家屬
- 多數情況下沒有工作權 → ❌ 無法申請 SSN（頂多有 ITIN）
- ➡️ 一般不能考保險牌
🟩 OPT（F1 延伸的實習工作授權）
- 有 OPT = 有合法工作權
- ✅ 可以申請 SSN
- 理論上：有 SSN 就有機會考照，但實務上要考慮：
- OPT 通常只有 1～3 年，之後是否能留在美國？
- 保險是一個需要長期經營關係的行業，是否符合你的長期規劃？
5️⃣ 其他常見情況：F1 畢業、轉綠卡、EAD、配偶身份變動
很多人的人生規劃是這樣一路走：
- F1 學生 → OPT → H1B → 綠卡
- 或：配偶先拿 H1B / L1 → 全家一起過來 → 之後轉綠卡
所以你可以這樣看：
- 📌 只要是臨時、短期、不確定能不能留下的階段 → 可以先「學」，不一定要「考」
- 📌 一旦拿到長期工作權（例如 H1B、L1、綠卡） → 再認真考慮要不要把保險當成一條正規路
SSN 是「鑰匙」，但不是唯一條件。
各州 DOI 可能還會看：
- 背景紀錄（有無重大犯罪紀錄）
- 住址、居留狀態（例如：需不需要是該州居民）
- 年齡、考試通過、完成 pre-licensing 課程等
6️⃣ 簡易對照表：簽證 vs SSN vs 保險考照（概念版）
（以下為概念整理，實際仍請查官方最新規定）
- 🟦 L1：有工作權 → ✅ SSN → 📘 有機會考照
- 🟦 L2 配偶：多數情況有工作權 → ✅ SSN → 📘 有機會考照
- 🟦 L2 子女：無工作權 → ❌ SSN（頂多 ITIN）→ ❌ 不考照
- 🟨 H1B：有工作權 → ✅ SSN → 📘 有機會考照
- 🟨 H4 配偶（有 EAD）：✅ SSN → 📘 有機會考照
- 🟨 H4 配偶（無 EAD）：❌ SSN（或受限）→ ❌ 一般不考照
- 🟩 F1（有校內工作/OPT）：✅ SSN → 理論上可考，但要考慮長期規劃
- 🟩 F1（無工作）：❌ SSN（可能 ITIN）→ ❌ 一般不考照
- 🟩 F2 家屬：多數無工作權 → ❌ SSN → ❌ 不考照
- 🟫 綠卡／公民：✅ SSN → 📘 有機會考照（最單純）
7️⃣ 那如果我現在還不能考牌，可以做什麼？
就算你現在的簽證身份暫時不適合考保險牌，你還是可以：
- 📚 先學保險基礎觀念：Term / Whole / UL、Medical / Life / Home / Auto 的差別
- 🗣 練習用中英雙語解釋簡單概念（將來不管做不做 agent 都會有用）
- 🔍 研究未來可能想工作的州（例如加州、德州、紐約、佛州）的 DOI 規定
- 🧭 慢慢釐清：保險對你來說，是「工具」、「副業選項」，還是「主業」？
這些功課做好了，等有一天你真正拿到 SSN、拿到長期工作權，
你會比很多人都更快、更有方向。
💚 結語：簽證只是起點，你的人生路線圖還可以慢慢畫
很多新移民、外派家庭、留學生、H1B 家屬，
都會在某個時間點問自己：
- 「我能不能在美國考一張牌，為自己多開一個選項？」
- 「我這種身份，是不是就註定只能當旁觀者？」
如果你看到這裡，我想跟你說：
- 你現在是什麼簽證，不代表你以後只能待在這個格子裡
- 搞清楚 SSN／ITIN／工作權，只是幫你看清「現在能做什麼」
- 真正重要的是：你想走的方向是什麼？你想過的是哪一種生活？
如果你對保險、財務規劃、副業有興趣，
但不確定你的簽證狀態能不能走這條路，也歡迎你先把問題寫下來，
等你準備好，我們再一步一步，幫自己把路看清楚。🪪💚
🪪 What Visa Do I Have? Can I Get an SSN? Can I Get Licensed? Your Simple Visa Cheat Sheet
Before people ask about insurance, starting a side business, or planning a new career, they often have a big question in their mind:
“With my visa type, can I get a Social Security Number (SSN)?”
“Can I get an insurance license, or do I only qualify for an ITIN?”
Search results online can be very confusing. You might hear:
- “L1 is okay, but the family can’t do it.”
- “H1B is fine, H4 depends on luck.”
- “Students can only get ITIN, never SSN.”
In reality, the logic is simpler than it looks. You can hold onto one big rule:
🔑 If you are allowed to work in the U.S. → you usually can get an SSN → in many cases you can apply for an insurance license.
If you are not allowed to work → you may only get an ITIN or no number at all → you cannot get licensed.
This article is a practical cheat sheet for people on different visas — expats, students, H1B families, and more.
It is not legal advice. It’s meant to help you:
- ✅ Understand whether your current visa can lead to an SSN
- ✅ See whether you have a realistic path to an insurance license (Life & Health / P&C)
- ✅ See who usually ends up with ITIN only, and why they generally can’t get licensed
- ✅ Think about what you can do now, even if you can’t take the exam yet
Always confirm details with the latest information from USCIS and your state’s Department of Insurance (DOI).
1️⃣ First, the most important line: SSN vs ITIN
🔹 SSN (Social Security Number)
- Given to people who have legal permission to work in the U.S. (citizens, green card holders, certain work visas, some spouses)
- Used for: employment, taxes, loans, bank accounts, background checks, and most professional license applications
- Most state insurance departments will ask for an SSN on the license application
🔹 ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)
- Given to people who cannot legally work but still need to file U.S. taxes
- Examples: non-working spouses or children, some foreign investors, people with U.S. income but no work authorization
- ITIN is mainly for tax filing — it is not an ID, not work authorization, and not a license key
In one sentence:
If you can work → you are on the SSN track.
If you cannot work but must file taxes → you are on the ITIN track.
Now let’s look at some common visa types.
2️⃣ L1 / L2: Expat Managers and Their Families
🟦 L1: Intracompany transferees / managers / specialized employees
- Type: work visa (you can be legally employed and paid in the U.S.)
- SSN: ✅ Yes, you can apply for an SSN because you have work authorization
- ITIN: ❌ Usually not needed
- Insurance licensing: 📘 Generally possible (assuming you meet your state’s DOI requirements)
So if you are on an L1 visa and working in the U.S.,
you are usually eligible to pursue an insurance license (subject to state rules).
🟦 L2: Spouses and children of L1 holders
- Spouses: under recent policy changes, L2 spouses typically have work authorization
- ➡️ L2 spouse can apply for an SSN → ✅ Can potentially pursue licensing
- Children: generally do not have work rights → they may only need ITIN if there is a tax reason
- ➡️ L2 children do not get licensed (and don’t need to)
In simple terms:
- 👤 L1 holder: has SSN → can consider licensing
- 💍 L2 spouse: usually can get SSN → can consider licensing
- 👧 L2 child: ITIN or no number → not a licensing candidate
3️⃣ H1B / H4: The classic “tech family” setup
🟨 H1B: Specialty occupation workers
- Type: work visa
- SSN: ✅ Yes, H1B workers can get SSNs
- Insurance licensing: 📘 Generally possible, subject to state requirements
🟨 H4: Spouses and children of H1B holders
- Spouses: some H4 spouses can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), depending on the H1B holder’s status
- H4 spouse with EAD: ✅ Can get SSN → 📘 Can potentially pursue licensing
- H4 spouse without EAD: ❌ No work authorization → usually no SSN (or restricted) → ❌ typically cannot get licensed
- H4 children: like L2 children, generally no work rights → no SSN needed → not a licensing candidate
So for H4 spouses, the key question is:
“Do you have EAD?” → This decides whether you can get an SSN → which affects whether licensing is possible.
4️⃣ F1 / F2 / OPT: Students and Their Families
🟩 F1: International students
- Normally limited to on-campus work and certain approved training programs
- With on-campus work or authorized training (CPT/OPT) → ✅ May apply for SSN
- Without any work authorization → ❌ No SSN; may only use ITIN for tax purposes
From an insurance licensing perspective:
- If you are F1 with no long-term work plan in the U.S., pursuing an insurance license usually doesn’t make sense.
- If you are near graduation, have OPT, and plan to move into a work visa (like H1B), you can treat insurance as a potential long-term path and start learning concepts early.
🟩 F2: Dependents of F1 students
- Most F2 dependents do not have work authorization
- ➡️ No SSN eligibility (possibly ITIN for taxes only)
- ➡️ Generally not able to pursue licensing
🟩 OPT: Practical training for F1 students
- Having OPT = having temporary work authorization
- ✅ You can apply for an SSN
- In theory, with an SSN you can pursue licensing, but in practice you must consider:
- OPT is typically 1–3 years — what happens after that?
- Insurance is a long-term relationship business — does it fit your long-term plan?
5️⃣ Other Common Paths: Graduation, Green Cards, EAD, and Status Changes
Many people follow a path like:
- F1 student → OPT → H1B → Permanent resident (green card)
- Or: L1 or H1B for one spouse → the whole family moves together → later transition to green card
So you can think about it like this:
- 📌 During short-term, uncertain stages (temporary visas, waiting for approval), it might be best to learn first, not rush to license.
- 📌 Once you have stable, long-term work authorization (H1B, L1, green card), then seriously consider whether insurance licensing fits your long-term plan.
The SSN is the “key,” but not the only requirement.
State DOIs may also check:
- Background (e.g., criminal records)
- Residency or address requirements
- Age, pre-licensing education, and exam results
6️⃣ Quick Concept Table: Visa vs SSN vs Insurance Licensing
(This is a conceptual summary only. Always verify with official sources.)
- 🟦 L1: Work visa → ✅ SSN → 📘 Likely eligible to pursue licensing
- 🟦 L2 spouse: Usually has work rights → ✅ SSN → 📘 Likely eligible to pursue licensing
- 🟦 L2 child: No work rights → ❌ SSN (maybe ITIN) → ❌ Not a licensing candidate
- 🟨 H1B: Work visa → ✅ SSN → 📘 Likely eligible to pursue licensing
- 🟨 H4 spouse with EAD: ✅ SSN → 📘 Likely eligible to pursue licensing
- 🟨 H4 spouse without EAD: ❌ No SSN / no work rights → ❌ Typically not eligible
- 🟩 F1 with on-campus job/OPT: ✅ SSN → Theoretically eligible, but consider long-term plans
- 🟩 F1 without work: ❌ No SSN (maybe ITIN) → ❌ Generally not a licensing candidate
- 🟩 F2 dependents: No work rights → ❌ SSN → ❌ Not a licensing candidate
- 🟫 Green card / citizen: ✅ SSN → 📘 The simplest path to licensing
7️⃣ If I Can’t Get Licensed Yet, What Can I Do Now?
Even if your current visa status doesn’t support licensing yet, there’s still a lot you can do:
- 📚 Learn basic insurance concepts: term vs whole life, UL, basic medical, home and auto coverage
- 🗣 Practice explaining simple insurance ideas in both your native language and English
- 🔍 Research the DOI rules for states you might live in later (California, Texas, New York, Florida, etc.)
- 🧭 Ask yourself: for you, is insurance mainly a “tool,” a “side option,” or a potential “main career”?
Once your work authorization and SSN are in place,
you will be far ahead of many people because you already understand the map.
💚 Final Thoughts: Your Visa Is a Starting Point, Not Your Whole Story
Many immigrants, expat families, students, and H1B spouses eventually ask:
- “Can I build a professional track in the U.S., even if I didn’t start as a citizen or green card holder?”
- “Do I have to stay on the sidelines because of my visa?”
If you’ve read this far, here’s what I want to tell you:
- Your current visa is just your starting box, not your final label.
- Understanding SSN, ITIN, and work authorization simply helps you see what is realistic right now.
- The more important questions are: What kind of life do you want? What roles do you want to explore?
If you’re curious about insurance, financial planning, or using a license as a side-income option,
but you’re not sure whether your visa can support it yet, you can:
- Start by learning
- Write down your questions
- Revisit the idea when your status changes or becomes more stable
When you are ready, you’ll find that understanding your visa and SSN is not a limitation —
it’s just the first step in drawing your own roadmap. 🪪💚