This is the first in a series of articles on Social Security numbers for immigrants.

Who can apply for a Social Security number?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) gives cards to individuals who are U.S. citizens or non-citizens who are lawfully admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence, or who have permission from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) record to work permanently in the United States , such as refugees, asylees, work visa holders and citizens of Compact of Free Association countries.

How can an immigrant apply for a Social Security number while applying for an immigrant visa?

Non-citizens applying to enter the United States can apply for a Social Security as part of the immigrant visa application. In order to do this, the applicant must be 18 or older when they enter the United States and must be a lawfully admitted permanent resident. When filling out Form DS-230, the Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration, the applicant must answer “yes” to questions 33a and 33b. Question 33a simply states that the applicant wants the Social Security Administration to assign a Social Security number and issue a card. Question 33b authorizes disclosure of Form DS-230 to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Social Security Administration, and any other government agencies that may be needed in order to get a Social Security number.

According to the Social Security Administration, once the applicant arrives in the U.S. , a Social Security card should arrive at their mailing address in about three weeks. If the applicant changes their mailing address after arriving but prior to receiving their card, they must call the Social Security Administration.

What if the immigrant does not meet the requirements to apply for a SSN while applying for a visa, or the immigrant simply failed to do so?

If the applicant did not request a Social Security number as part of the visa application or the applicant did but was under age 18, he or she must apply for a card at a Social Security office. When the applicant has a permanent address, he or she can go to the nearest SSA office. The applicant can go to the SSA website to find an office at www.socialsecurity.gov or can call Social Security’s toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (Eastern time).

When the applicant visits the Social Security office to apply for a Social Security card, he or she should take the following original documents for each family member applying for a number:

1.      the passport or travel document

2.      Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551), if he or she has received it

3.      birth record

Someone at the office will help the applicant complete the application. The applicant should then receive the card in about two weeks after the SSA has everything that it needs to process the application. However, if the SSA has to verify any document with the issuing agency, it may take longer to receive the card.

The applicant was issued a card that says “not valid for employment” when they first applied, but now the Department of Homeland Security has given them work permission. What should they do?

If the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has granted the applicant permission to work, the applicant needs to apply for a replacement card without the legend “Not Valid for Employment”. The replacement card will have the same number as the current card.

To apply for a replacement card, he or she needs to complete Form SS-5, which is available for download at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.html. The applicant may get a Form SS-5 by calling 1-800-772-1213 or visiting the local Social Security office. The applicant must submit Form SS-5 with evidence of identity and current authorization to work from the DHS. All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. The SSA cannot accept photocopies of documents.

If the applicant is a non-citizen, the SSA must verify the documents with the DHS before issuing a replacement SSN card. The SSA will issue the card within two days of receiving verification from DHS.

How much does a Social Security card cost?

The Social Security Administration does not charge a fee to assign a Social Security number or issue a Social Security card. The SSA will replace the card for free if the card is lost.

Do foreign students who are studying in the U.S. have to have a Social Security number?

Foreign student who are temporarily studying in the United States do not have to have a Social Security number. Schools are not authorized to use the SSN in administering educational programs, so when the student does not have an SSN or prefers not to provide his/her SSN, the school assigns the student an internal number. A school policy to require an SSN to enroll in school or college is not a valid non-work reason to assign an SSN to an individual who does not otherwise meet SSA’s requirements for an SSN. Note that an SSN is needed to engage in employment on campus.

If a foreign student works in the U.S. does he or she have to pay Social Security?

Work performed by some non-resident aliens who visit the United States for a limited period of time is not covered by Social Security and, therefore, not subject to Social Security taxes. F-1, J-1 and M-1 visa holders working in connection to their studies or for the purpose of their visit to the U.S. are not covered by Social Security. This means that there will be no withholding of Social Security or Medicare taxes from the pay received for these services. These types of services are very limited, and generally include only on-campus work, practical training, and economic hardship employment. For more information on taxation, visit the Internal Revenue Service at www.irs.gov.

How can I contact the Social Security Administration?

In the United States , call the telephone number listed for the Social Security office in the local telephone directory under “United States Government” or Social Security’s toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. To locate an office or for more information on Social Security numbers, go to the Social Security Administration’s homepage: www.socialsecurity.gov. If you need to contact SSA before you leave for the United States , the SSA is assisted outside the United States by United States embassies and consulates throughout the world.