To remove the “Valid for Work Only with DHS Authorization” legend from your Social Security card, you first have to change your immigration status to one that doesn’t depend on Department of Homeland Security work authorization — becoming a lawful permanent resident, a naturalized U.S. citizen, or being granted refugee or asylee status. Once your status changes, you apply to the Social Security Administration for a replacement card at no cost, submit proof of your new status, and the card that arrives will no longer carry the restriction.1Social Security Administration. Types of Social Security Cards
Why an EAD Doesn’t Remove the Restriction
This is the most common misunderstanding. Receiving an Employment Authorization Document does not get you an unrestricted Social Security card. An EAD lets you work while you’re in a temporary status, but because that authorization comes from DHS and has an expiration date, SSA still issues you a restricted card. The legend comes off only when your underlying immigration status no longer requires DHS to authorize your employment.2U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Employers—Are You Accepting a Restricted Social Security Card?
Your Social Security number itself never expires. What expires is your ability to use it for employment without pairing the restricted card with other DHS documents on the Form I-9.
Which Immigration Statuses Qualify for an Unrestricted Card
SSA issues unrestricted cards to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.3Social Security Administration. Your Social Security Number and Card Two other groups qualify and often don’t realize it: refugees and asylees.
SSA policy treats refugees as permanent resident aliens with permanent employment authorization and issues them unrestricted cards immediately.4Social Security Administration. Evidence of Refugee Status for an SSN Card Asylees get the same treatment once asylum has been granted, without needing to obtain a separate EAD first.5Social Security Administration. Evidence of Asylee Status for an SSN Card If you’re already a refugee or asylee but your current card carries the restriction — usually because it was issued before your status was finalized, or because SSA’s records were never updated — you can apply for a replacement now.
Adjustment of Status
Adjustment of status is the process for becoming a lawful permanent resident while you’re already in the United States. Once USCIS approves your Form I-485 and you have your green card, you’re eligible for an unrestricted card because the right to work is inherent in permanent resident status.6U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Adjustment of Status
If you checked the box on the I-485 asking SSA to issue you a new card, SSA may update your records automatically after approval, and a replacement should arrive within 7 to 10 business days.7Social Security Administration. How Long Will It Take to Get a Social Security Card? If you didn’t check that box, or the card never arrives, apply directly with SSA.
Naturalization
Becoming a U.S. citizen ends the restriction entirely. Once you have your Certificate of Naturalization or a U.S. passport, you can apply for a new card that reflects your citizenship.3Social Security Administration. Your Social Security Number and Card
How to Apply for the Replacement Card
You can start the process online, which walks you through an application and schedules an in-person appointment at your local Social Security office.8Social Security Administration. Update Citizenship or Immigration Status You can also complete Form SS-5 and bring it to a local office directly.9Social Security Administration. Application for Social Security Card Form SS-5 Either way, you’ll appear in person with your supporting documents.
There is no fee. After SSA verifies your documents, the new card typically arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days.7Social Security Administration. How Long Will It Take to Get a Social Security Card? If you also need to change the name on your card, you can do both on the same SS-5 as long as you bring documentation for each change.
What Documents to Bring
The specific documents depend on your new status, but every applicant proves both identity and current immigration status. SSA accepts only originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. Photocopies and notarized copies are not accepted.9Social Security Administration. Application for Social Security Card Form SS-5
- If you’re a lawful permanent resident, your Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551) serves as proof of both identity and status.6U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Adjustment of Status
- If you’ve naturalized, bring a U.S. passport, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship.3Social Security Administration. Your Social Security Number and Card
- If you’re a refugee or asylee, your immigration document — such as an I-94 with a refugee admission stamp or an asylum approval notice — may be all you need. SSA accepts a single immigration document from refugees and asylees as evidence of age, identity, and status when no other documents are available.10Social Security Administration. Policy for Number of Documents Required for an SSN Card
If any of your documents are in a foreign language, submit the original or a certified copy from the issuing agency; SSA will handle translation.11Social Security Administration. Transmittal of Foreign-Language Documents for Translation
The Replacement Cap Doesn’t Block You
Federal law limits you to three replacement Social Security cards per year and ten in a lifetime. A legend change is a listed exception to those limits, and removing the DHS work restriction counts as a legend change. So even if you’ve already hit the replacement cap, this application will still be processed.12Social Security Administration. Limits on Replacement SSN Cards
Give the New Card to Your Employer
Once your unrestricted card arrives, bring it to your employer. An unrestricted Social Security card is an acceptable List C document on the Form I-9 on its own, so your employer no longer has to reverify your work authorization every time an EAD or visa expires. If you became a permanent resident and presented your green card for Section 2, your employer generally won’t need to reverify you again. The employer records the new document on Supplement B of your I-9.13U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Completing Supplement B, Reverification and Rehires
That’s where the change actually pays off. No more reverification deadlines, no more scrambling to get an EAD renewed before it lapses, and no more restricted card sitting in a drawer next to a stack of DHS paperwork.