Immigrants Must Now Apply in Person for Social Security Cards
By James Larsen, Managing Attorney
Until recently, immigrants applying for work authorization (Form I-765) were able to receive their Social Security Number (SSN) automatically as part of a joint process with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You simply checked a box on the application, and once your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) was approved, your SSN would arrive in the mail—no extra steps required.
That convenience is now gone.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has quietly suspended the Enumeration Beyond Entry (EBE) program, which allowed for automatic issuance of SSNs to immigrants with approved work permits or pending adjustment of status applications. As of early 2025, immigrants must apply in person at a local SSA office to obtain their SSNs.
What This Means for Immigrant Workers
This policy change creates significant new hurdles:
- No more automatic SSN delivery after EAD approval.
- Individuals must submit a paper application (Form SS-5) and visit an SSA office in person—appointments may be hard to get, and delays are likely.
- Workers who lack an SSN may face problems with
- Payroll processing
- Opening bank accounts
- Enrolling in health insurance
- While an EAD alone is sufficient to prove both identity and work authorization (as a List A document under Form I-9 rules), many employers still require an SSN to finalize payroll or onboarding procedures and E-Verify employers must request a social security numbers.
While an EAD alone is sufficient to prove both identity and work authorization (as a List A document under Form I-9 rules), many employers still require an SSN to finalize payroll or onboarding procedures and E-Verify employers must request a social security number.
💡 Tip: If you are expecting a work permit be prepared to apply for your SSN in person as soon as possible. Bring all required documents. Call your local SSA office to schedule an appointment.
New SSA Policy: Tougher Standards for Proving Lawful Presence
SSA also appears to have updated its guidance on what documentation is acceptable to establish lawful presence. According to the revised policy at RS 00204.025, noncitizen spouses and children of U.S. citizens (with approved I-130 petitions and pending I-485 applications) must provide:
- A Form I-797 (Notice of Action), OR
- A valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) showing “C9” category (based on a pending adjustment of status)
In the past, a pending adjustment of status application was sufficient - an I-130 did not need to be approved.
SSA will verify immigration status through the Department of Homeland Security's SAVE system. If DHS verification fails, SSA may require a Form G-845 for manual confirmation. Importantly, status must be reverified every year, even if it was previously confirmed.
What Should You Do Now?
- Do not assume your SSN will arrive with your work permit.
- Submit Form SS-5 in person at your local SSA office as soon as possible after receiving your EAD.
- Call ahead to confirm document requirements. Bring your EAD, I-797, passport, and proof of U.S. address.
- Employers: Be aware that your new hires may be delayed in providing an SSN. Understand the accommodations available under E-Verify if an SSN application is pending.
This change, introduced quietly and without public announcement, is part of broader federal efforts to tighten benefit access and may have been influenced by administrative policy shifts. Regardless of politics, the practical effect is clear: legal immigrants now face greater obstacles in accessing the SSNs they need to live and work in the U.S.
Should you require assistance in navigating this, please contact your Larsen Immigration attorney.
Immigration law changes rapidly. This article is for informational purposes only, reflects the law as of its publication date, and may be superseded by later changes in the law, regulations or agency policy. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship.La ley de inmigración cambia rápidamente. Este artículo es solo para fines informativos, refleja la ley a la fecha de su publicación y puede quedar superado por cambios posteriores en la ley, las regulaciones o las políticas de las agencias. No es asesoría legal, y leerlo no crea una relación abogado-cliente.