Applications for Social Security Numbers Now Require Advance Appointment Bookings
The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) has quietly instituted a new requirement that work-authorized foreign nationals must start the application process for a Social Security Number (“SSN”) online and self-schedule an appointment with a local Social Security office or card center. Individuals appearing at the SSA without appointments are now being turned away. The new process is required for individuals who hold employer-specific work authorization such as H-1B, L-1, O-1, and TN. They must complete a simple online form by providing information such as name, sex, date and place of birth, full name of both parents, and U.S. mailing address and telephone number. It will also be necessary to specify the documentation of their identity and work-authorized immigration status they will be presenting in person at the SSA appointment; for most individuals, this will be “Foreign Passport” and “I-94 with Unexpired Foreign Passport.” Upon completion, the applicant will be directed to schedule an appointment online by creating an account at Login.gov. Although the SSA presents an option to book an appointment by calling 1-800-772-1213, this option is not recommended due to reports of extremely long wait times of well over 100 minutes. The SSA states that the SSN Card will be mailed usually within 14 business days after the appointment. Further details may be found in SSA’s information sheet on Foreign Workers and Social Security Numbers.
What this means for our clients
This requirement for an advance appointment booking adds an extra step for newly arriving foreign national employees, and is a consequence of the DOGE mandate for increased SSA efficiency and “stronger identity proofing” that began in January 2025. To minimize appointment wait times, we recommend that these employees begin their online application from abroad and book their SSA appointments ahead of time.
Please note that work-authorized foreign nationals may be onboarded and may begin employment before SSN issuance. Given the extensive reliance on SSN in many facets of U.S. residence and employment, it is important for employers to advise their new employees moving from abroad of the SSN application process.