There are many people living in the United States who are non citizens, which means they are not considered United States citizens, but reside in the country legally. These people may face extra obstacles to obtaining a Social Security number, but they can obtain a Social Security number and work in the country if they are authorized to do so by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Because Social Security numbers are used to report a person’s wages to the government and to determine eligibility for Social Security benefits, everyone who works in the United States requires a Social Security number.
If you are from another country and are applying for a Social Security number to work in the United States you can apply in your home country when you file an application for an immigrant visa with the State Department. If you are a non immigrant, but are in the United States lawfully you can apply for a Social Security number the same time you apply for work authorization from DHS and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. If you are lawfully present in the United States already and your visa status allows you to work, then you must visit a Social Security office in person to apply.
You need to prove your identity and work-authorized immigration status when you apply at a Social Security office. To prove your identity and work-authorized immigration status you must show current U.S. immigration status and show your unexpired foreign passport. Acceptable immigration documents include:
- Form I-551 (Lawful Permanent Resident Card, Machine-Readable Immigrant Visa);
- Admission stamp showing a class of admission permitting work;
- Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record); or
- Form I-766 (Employment Authorization
Document/EAD).
For more information about applying for a Social Security number when you are a non resident click here.
