(over)
Foreign Workers and Social Security Numbers
Foreign Workers and Social
Security Numbers
Social Security numbers (SSN) are used to
report a person’s wages to the government
and to determine a person’s eligibility for Social
Security benets. You need an SSN to get a
job, collect Social Security benets, and receive
some other government services.
If you’re temporarily in the United States to work,
your employer will ask for your SSN.
Although many other businesses, such as banks
and credit companies, also ask for your number,
you aren’t required to provide it. You can get
many services without an SSN, including a
driver’s license.
What do I have to do to work in the
United States?
First, you must have documents showing your
U.S. immigration status and authorization to
work in the United States. Then, you should
apply for an SSN and card from the Social
Security Administration.
What foreign workers can apply for a
Social Security number?
In general, only noncitizens authorized by the
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to
work in the United States can get an SSN.
How do I apply for a Social Security
number and card?
Applying for an SSN and card is free. To apply
for a work-authorized SSN, you will need to:
• Complete an application for a Social Security
card at www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html.
• Show us original documents proving your:
—Identity.
—Work-authorized immigration status.
— Age.
Take your completed application and original
documents to your local Social Security ofce.
Take your completed application and original
documents to your local Social Security ofce.
You may also apply for an original SSN by
answering the SSN-specic questions on the
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’
(USCIS) Employment Authorization
Document (EAD) Form I-765 (Application
for Employment Authorization) or Lawful
Permanent Resident (LPR) Form I-485
(Application to Register Permanent Residence
or Adjust Status), also commonly known as
Green Card. USCIS transmits the data from
approved applications to us to assign an
SSN. The SSN card is mailed to the address
provided on the USCIS application. Please visit
www.USCIS.gov for more information.
If you are age 12 or older an in-person
interview is required.
All documents must be either originals
or copies certied by the issuing agency.
We can’t accept photocopies or notarized
copies of documents. We also can’t accept a
receipt showing you applied for the document.
We may be able to use one document for two
purposes. For example, we may use your DHS
work authorization document as proof of both
your identity and work-authorized immigration
status. Your birth certicate or passport may
serve as proof of age. You must provide at
least two separate documents.
Identity and work-authorized
immigration status
To prove your identity and work-authorized
immigration status, you will need to show us
your current U.S. immigration documents and
your unexpired foreign passport. Acceptable
U.S. immigration documents include:
• Unexpired foreign passport with a current
admission stamp showing a class of
admission permitting work.
• Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card.
SSA.gov
• Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record showing
DHS work authorization.
• Form I-766, Employment Authorization
Document, (EAD, work permit from DHS).
Exchange visitors: J-1 visitors must also
show us a DS-2019, Certicate of Eligibility
for Exchange Visitor Status. Additionally, J-1
students, student interns, and international
visitors must show a sponsor letter to prove
employment. The letter should be on sponsor
letterhead with an original signature that
authorizes your employment.
International students: F-1 or M-1 students
must also show us a Form I-20, Certicate of
Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.
Additional documentation proving work eligibility
may be required. For more information, ask
for International Students and Social Security
Numbers (Publication No. 05-10181).
Age
You must present your foreign birth certicate if
you have it or can get it within 10 business days.
If not, we can consider other documents, such
as your passport or a document issued by DHS,
as evidence of your age.
How long will it take to get a
Social Security number?
We must verify your documents with DHS
before we assign an SSN to you. After receiving
verication from DHS, you will receive your
Social Security card in the mail. Most of the
time, we can verify your documents quickly with
DHS online. If your documents can’t be veried
online, DHS may take several weeks to respond
to our request. We’re working closely with DHS
to reduce these delays.
Do I need to have my number before
I start working?
We don’t require you to have an SSN before
you start work. However, the Internal Revenue
Service requires employers to use your SSN to
report your wages.
While you wait for your SSN, your employer
can use a letter from us stating you applied for
a number. Your immigration documents can
prove your authorization to work in the United
States.
Employers can nd more information online at
www.ssa.gov/employer/hiring.htm.
Contacting Us
The most convenient way to do business with
us is to visit www.ssa.gov to get information
and use our online services. There are several
things you can do online: apply for benets;
start or complete your request for an original
or replacement Social Security card; get useful
information; nd publications; and get answers to
frequently asked questions.
When you open a personal my Social Security
account, you have more capabilities. You can
review your Social Security Statement, verify
your earnings, and get estimates of future
benets. You can also print a benet verication
letter, change your direct deposit information,
request a replacement Medicare card, and get a
replacement SSA-1099/1042S. Access to your
personal my Social Security account may be
limited for users outside the United States.
If you don’t have access to the internet, we offer
many automated services by telephone, 24
hours a day, 7 days a week, so you do not need
to speak with a representative.
If you need to speak with someone, call us
toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 or at our TTY
number, 1-800-325-0778, if you’re deaf or hard
of hearing. A member of our staff can answer
your call from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through
Friday. We provide free interpreter services upon
request. For quicker access to a representative,
try calling early in the day (between 8 a.m. and
10 a.m. local time) or later in the day. We are
less busy later in the week (Wednesday to
Friday) and later in the month.
Social Security Administration
Publication No. 05-10107
July 2022 (July 2017 edition may be used)
Foreign Workers and Social Security Numbers
Produced and published at U.S. taxpayer expense
