Short answer: Your work permit (Employment Authorization Document, or EAD, Form I-766) does not automatically come with a Social Security number right now. For most people, the reliable path is to apply for the SSN directly and in person at a Social Security Administration (SSA) office once you have your approved EAD in hand. There used to be a way to request an SSN by checking a box on the work-permit application itself, but that option has been suspended and, on the current edition of Form I-765, removed - so always check uscis.gov and ssa.gov for the current process before you file.
Why a Social Security number matters
An SSN is the number the U.S. government uses to track your earnings and taxes over your lifetime. Once you are work-authorized, having an SSN lets you:
Get paid correctly. Employers report your wages to the IRS and Social Security using your SSN. Without one, an employer may struggle to run payroll or withhold taxes properly.
Pay taxes under your own identity. Your SSN links your income to your tax return, which matters for future immigration filings that ask about tax compliance and for your own financial records.
Build a credit history. Banks, landlords, and lenders in the U.S. generally use your SSN to open accounts and report your payment history to credit bureaus - the foundation of a U.S. credit score.
Access certain benefits or licenses that require an SSN, depending on your state and situation.
An SSN is not proof of citizenship or immigration status, and having one does not by itself authorize you to work - your EAD, green card, or other status does that.
What changed - and why the "check a box" shortcut may not work anymore
For years, many EAD applicants filing Form I-765 could check a box asking SSA to issue a Social Security number and card automatically, through a data-sharing arrangement between USCIS and SSA sometimes called "Enumeration Beyond Entry." If approved, the card would simply arrive in the mail with, or shortly after, the work permit - no separate SSA visit required.
Starting in 2025, SSA paused automatic SSN issuance tied to Form I-765 while it reworked the program, and the current edition of Form I-765 no longer offers the SSN-request option on the form itself. In practice, this means most work-permit applicants today need to take the extra step of applying for their SSN separately, in person, after their EAD is approved - rather than expecting it to arrive automatically. (Some people on other pathways - for example, those getting a green card through adjustment of status on Form I-485 - may still receive an SSN through a related automatic process; if that is your situation, confirm the current details with SSA.)
Because this area has changed more than once in a short period and could change again, do not rely on older instructions, blog posts, or advice from friends. Before you file, confirm the current Form I-765 and instructions at uscis.gov, and confirm the current SSN application process at ssa.gov (see SSA's "Social Security Numbers for Noncitizens" information).
How to apply for an SSN once you have your EAD
If your Form I-765 did not result in an automatic SSN, or you are not sure whether it did, plan to apply directly with SSA. In general terms, the process looks like this:
What to do
Wait until your EAD is approved and in hand. SSA generally needs to see your actual, unexpired Employment Authorization Document, not just a receipt notice.
Complete Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card. This form is free and available on ssa.gov.
Gather your identity documents. At minimum, expect to bring your unexpired EAD and your unexpired foreign passport. SSA generally requires original documents or copies certified by the issuing agency - it will not accept photocopies or notarized copies.
Go to your local Social Security office. Use the office locator on ssa.gov. Many offices now ask you to call ahead and schedule an appointment rather than walk in, so check current local instructions before you go.
Let SSA verify your immigration document with DHS/USCIS. SSA typically confirms your EAD's validity electronically before issuing a number, which can add processing time. Ask the SSA office for a current time estimate for your case rather than relying on outside estimates, since these vary and change.
Keep your receipt and any confirmation until your card arrives by mail.
If your EAD is close to expiring, apply for your SSN as soon as possible after receiving the card - and separately, watch your EAD's expiration date closely. An expired EAD can affect both your ability to work and SSA's ability to verify your status, so track your renewal window the same way you would track any other immigration deadline.
If you are not eligible for a Social Security number: the ITIN option
Not everyone who needs to interact with the U.S. tax system is eligible for an SSN - for example, some spouses or dependents without their own work authorization, or people in other tax situations. For them, the IRS offers an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), applied for using Form W-7 with a federal tax return (or under a limited set of exceptions).
Key points about an ITIN:
It exists only for federal tax administration - filing and paying taxes, and claiming certain tax benefits you qualify for.
It does not authorize you to work in the United States.
It generally cannot be used in place of an SSN on Form I-9 or for Social Security earnings records.
If you later become eligible for an SSN, you typically stop using your ITIN and use your SSN for tax filing going forward - check current IRS instructions for how to notify the IRS of the change.
Current details on ITIN eligibility, the application process, and required documents are on the IRS website (irs.gov); confirm anything specific to your situation there rather than from a third-party source.
A few practical reminders
Your EAD card itself lists your name and an expiration date - keep it safe, and make copies for your own records, but bring the original when SSA requires it.
An SSN is tied to you personally. Never use another person's SSN, "buy" or "rent" a number, or let anyone convince you this is a normal shortcut - doing so is fraud and can seriously harm your immigration case.
If you are unsure whether your particular EAD category currently qualifies for SSN issuance, or how the recent changes affect your specific filing, ask SSA directly or consult a qualified immigration attorney or a Department of Justice-accredited representative rather than guessing.
This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship; for advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative.
Beware of notario fraud: in many countries a "notario" is a licensed attorney, but in the U.S. a notary public is not. Only a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative may give you legal advice about your immigration case - verify credentials before paying anyone, and report suspected fraud to USCIS or your state attorney general.
Frequently asked questions
Does my work permit (EAD) come with a Social Security number automatically?
Usually not right now. For years, many applicants could check a box on Form I-765 and have the Social Security Administration mail a card automatically once the EAD was approved. That automatic pipeline (SSA calls it "Enumeration Beyond Entry") was paused in 2025, and USCIS's current Form I-765 no longer includes that request option. Confirm the current form and process at uscis.gov and ssa.gov before you file, since this keeps changing.
Can I start working before I have a Social Security number?
You need valid work authorization (your EAD or other proof listed on Form I-9) to work - the SSN is a separate step. Some employers will let you start and complete the wage-reporting paperwork once your SSN arrives, but you should talk to your employer and, if anything is unclear, an immigration attorney or accredited representative about your specific situation.
What documents do I need to bring to the Social Security office?
Generally a completed Form SS-5 (Application for a Social Security Card), your unexpired Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766), and your unexpired foreign passport. SSA wants original documents or copies certified by the agency that issued them - it will not accept photocopies or notarized copies. Check ssa.gov for the current, complete list for your situation, and note that many offices now ask you to call ahead for an appointment.
What is an ITIN and can I use it instead of an SSN?
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), issued by the IRS on Form W-7, lets someone who is not eligible for an SSN file and pay federal taxes. It is tax-only: it does not authorize you to work, is not proof of immigration status, and cannot be used on Form I-9 in place of an SSN. If you later become eligible for an SSN, you generally stop using the ITIN and use the SSN going forward.
Do DACA recipients get SSNs the same way as other work-permit holders?
Yes - DACA recipients receive the same kind of Employment Authorization Document as other work-authorized categories, and currently go through the same separate, in-person SSA application process described above. Confirm current details for your case with USCIS, SSA, or a qualified representative.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and may not reflect the most current law or the law in your jurisdiction. Laws vary by state and change over time. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.
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