A noncitizen can get a Social Security number for noncitizens through the Social Security Administration if the Department of Homeland Security has authorized them to work, and in a narrower set of cases if a federal law requires a number for a specific benefit. The application goes through one of three routes: your immigrant visa paperwork, your work-permit application with USCIS, or an in-person visit to an SSA office with original documents. There is no fee.
Who Qualifies
Federal law directs the SSA to assign numbers to noncitizens at the time of lawful admission when they are authorized to work in the United States. That includes lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and people on employment-based visas such as H-1B or L-1. If you hold an Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766), you qualify.
You can also get a number without work authorization, but only if a federal law requires one for you to receive a government benefit or service. A common example is a noncitizen who needs a number to qualify for a state-funded assistance program. The card issued in that case is marked “NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT,” and the number cannot be used to work.
Noncitizens on tourist or short-term business visas generally do not qualify. The SSA verifies your immigration status directly with DHS before issuing a number, so an application without proper documentation results in a denial.
The Three Card Types
The card you receive reflects your immigration status, and the legend on it controls what you can do:
- An unrestricted card shows your name and number with no legend. It goes to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents and lets you work without restriction.
- A card marked “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION” goes to people lawfully admitted on a temporary basis who have DHS work authorization. Your employer may need to reverify your eligibility when your work permit expires.
- A card marked “NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT” goes to noncitizens without work authorization who need a number for a valid non-work reason required by federal law.
If your status changes later, you can apply for a new card with an updated legend.
How to Apply
There are three routes, and the right one depends on how and when you arrive.
Requesting a Number With Your Immigrant Visa
If you are applying for an immigrant visa through the Department of State, you can request a Social Security number as part of that application. On Form DS-260, answer “Yes” to the question asking whether you want the SSA to assign you a number, and consent to disclosure of your information. Once your visa is granted and you are admitted, the State Department and DHS forward your information to the SSA, which mails your card automatically. You should receive it within about three weeks of entering the country. If it does not arrive, visit your nearest SSA office with proof of age, identity, and work authorization.
Form DS-230 is still accepted for this process but is now limited to Diversity Visa and Cuban Family Reunification Parole applications. Most immigrant visa applicants use the electronic DS-260.
Requesting a Number With Form I-765
If you are applying for work authorization through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, you can request a Social Security number on the same Form I-765. After USCIS approves your application, it sends your information to the SSA, which mails your card to the address on the form. This route saves you a separate trip to an SSA office.
Applying in Person With Form SS-5
If you did not use either of the routes above, complete Form SS-5 and visit a local SSA office. The form asks for your full legal name at birth, any other names you have used, your parents’ names and Social Security numbers if they have them, and your citizenship or immigration status. You can start the process online at the SSA website to fill out preliminary information, but you still need to appear in person to present your original documents. Scheduling an appointment can cut your wait significantly. Most offices also accept walk-ins.
Documents You Need
The SSA requires original documents or copies certified by the issuing agency. Photocopies and notarized copies are never accepted, and every document must be current and unexpired. You need to prove three things: your age, your identity, and your immigration status.
Age
A foreign birth certificate is the preferred document. If you have one or can obtain it within 10 days, the SSA expects you to provide it. If a birth certificate is not available, the agency will consider your passport or a DHS-issued document showing your date of birth.
Identity and Immigration Status
A valid, unexpired foreign passport is the most commonly used identity document. You also need proof of your current immigration status. Depending on your situation, acceptable documents include:
- Form I-551, the Lawful Permanent Resident Card, or a machine-readable immigrant visa with your unexpired foreign passport.
- Form I-94, the Arrival/Departure Record, or an admission stamp in your unexpired foreign passport showing a class of admission that permits work.
- Form I-766, the Employment Authorization Document, if you have a work permit from DHS.
If you are applying based on employment eligibility, some workers only need an I-94 with an admission class that permits work, while others must present their I-766. The specific requirement depends on your visa category.
Documents in Other Languages
If your documents are in a language other than English, you do not need to translate them yourself. The SSA routes foreign-language documents to its own translators. Bring the originals or certified copies and let the agency handle it.
Rules for F-1 and J-1 Students
F-1 and J-1 students can get a Social Security number, but only if they have work authorization. The SSA will not issue a number solely for enrolling in school. If your university asks for a number for administrative purposes and you do not have work authorization, ask the school for an alternative arrangement.
The SSA recommends waiting at least 48 hours after reporting to your school before applying, so your status has time to appear in the DHS verification system. Applying too early is one of the most common reasons student applications hit delays.
What you bring depends on your situation:
- F-1 students with on-campus employment: a letter from a designated school official confirming your enrollment and identifying the employer, plus evidence of employment such as a pay slip or an employer letter with the job description, start date, hours, and supervisor contact information.
- F-1 students with Curricular Practical Training: Form I-20 with the employment page completed and signed by your school’s designated official.
- J-1 exchange visitors: Form DS-2019 and a letter from your sponsor on official letterhead authorizing employment.
One timing rule catches students off guard. The SSA will not process your application if your on-campus or CPT work begins more than 30 days from the date you apply. The same restriction applies if the start date on a DHS work permit is in the future. Wait until your employment start date is within that 30-day window before visiting the SSA office.
When Your Card Arrives
The SSA mails your card by regular U.S. mail to the address on your application. Most people receive it within about two weeks after the SSA has verified everything with DHS. If DHS verification runs long, processing stretches beyond that. There is no fee for a Social Security number or card, whether it is your first one or a replacement.
Make sure the mailing address on your application is accurate and secure. There is no tracking number, so a wrong address or an unsecured mailbox can mean starting over.
Updating Your Card When Your Status Changes
When your immigration status changes, update your Social Security record. The most common situations are getting a green card after being on a temporary visa, or receiving work authorization after having a “NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT” card.
You have two options:
- Request the update on Form I-765. When you apply for employment authorization through USCIS, you can request a replacement Social Security card on the same form. After USCIS approves the application, it notifies the SSA, and your new card arrives within 7 to 10 business days of receiving your EAD or green card.
- Visit an SSA office directly. If you did not request the update on your I-765, contact your local SSA office after receiving your new EAD or green card. Bring proof of your identity, your new DHS work authorization, and your updated immigration status. You can start the replacement request online and schedule an appointment, then present your documents in person. The replacement card typically arrives within 5 to 10 business days.
All documents must be originals or certified copies, the same standard as your initial application.
Name Changes
If your legal name changes because of marriage, divorce, or a court order, update your card. Bring proof of the name change along with proof of your identity and immigration status. If the change happened more than two years ago (four years if you are under 18), you also need to show an identity document in your prior name. An expired document in your old name is acceptable for this purpose.
If you were assigned a number for non-work purposes and DHS has not authorized you to work, the SSA will update your name in its records but cannot issue a corrected physical card.
If You Do Not Qualify: The ITIN
If you are not eligible for a Social Security number but have a federal tax obligation, you need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number instead. The IRS issues ITINs to people who must file a U.S. tax return, claim a refund, or be listed as a spouse or dependent on someone else’s return, but who do not qualify for an SSN. You apply using Form W-7.
An ITIN is strictly for federal tax purposes. It does not authorize you to work, does not make you eligible for Social Security benefits, and does not change your immigration status. You also cannot claim the Earned Income Tax Credit with an ITIN. If you later become eligible for an SSN, stop using the ITIN and notify the IRS so it can combine your tax records. You cannot hold both numbers at the same time.
ITINs expire on December 31 after three consecutive tax years of non-use. If yours has expired and you need it for an upcoming return, renew it with Form W-7 before filing. Filing with an expired ITIN can trigger processing delays, reduced refunds, and penalties. An expired ITIN can still appear on information returns like a 1099 that simply report payments you received.
Penalties for False Information
Submitting false information on your Social Security application is a federal crime. Under 18 U.S.C. ยง 1001, a materially false statement to a government agency carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and fines. If the false statement involves domestic or international terrorism, the maximum prison sentence increases to eight years. Beyond the criminal exposure, fraud on an SSN application can create serious immigration problems, including potential bars to future benefits and status adjustments. Keep the physical card in a secure location rather than carrying it daily.