My wife and I are on a non-immigrant visa (J-1, J-2). We are considered residents for tax purposes and want to file our taxes jointly. I have a SSN but my wife doesn't.

[diegoincontri]

My wife recently applied for a work permit and will obtain a SSN through that. How can we file our tax return jointly if she has no SSN yet. I looked for the ITIN option but it looks like that can take up to 7 weeks (which is after the tax due date). Should we file for an extension while waiting for her work permit with her SSN to arrive?

[SusanY1]

If her Social Security application is currently pending, I'd file an extension and wait for the Social Security number so that you have an easier filing situation going forward. 

However, if that application hasn't yet been started or she's not eligible for a Social Security number, then you can apply for the ITIN with the return attached.  The ITIN Operations department will forward your tax return after they issue her ITIN with the date stamp of the date of receipt in their office  If you apply for an ITIN, I recommend filing an extension anyway just to cover your bases.