Written by Overview
A person is entitled to receive a U.S. Social Security number (SSN) only if the person meets Social Security Administration’s (SSA) evidence requirements and falls into one of the SSA eligibility categories.
| Person | Eligible for SSN? | Type of SSN/card |
| U.S. citizen | Yes | Regular SSN card, if identity, age, and citizenship evidence requirements are met. |
| Lawful permanent resident / green-card holder | Yes | Regular work-authorized SSN card. |
| Noncitizen lawfully admitted with DHS work authorization | Yes | Work-authorized SSN card. |
| Noncitizen in a status that is work-authorized incident to status | Yes, if evidence establishes that status | Work-authorized SSN card. |
| Noncitizen lawfully present but not work-authorized | Generally no, unless there is a valid nonwork reason | SSN card marked “NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT.” |
| Noncitizen not lawfully present | Generally no, unless a narrow valid nonwork reason applies | If issued for a valid nonwork reason, card is not valid for employment. |
| Person who only needs a U.S. taxpayer ID to file taxes but is not SSN-eligible | No SSN solely for that reason | Usually applies for an ITIN from the IRS instead. |
Main eligibility rule
SSA may assign an SSN to a person who satisfies the evidence requirements in 20 C.F.R. §422.107 and is one of the following:
- A United States citizen;
- An alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence or under other legal authority permitting work in the United States; or
- An alien without work authorization only if the person has a valid nonwork reason for needing an SSN. 20 C.F.R. §422.104(a)(1)–(3)
SSA’s public guidance states the same general rule: only noncitizens with permission to work from the Department of Homeland Security generally can get an SSN.
Noncitizens with work authorization
A noncitizen applying for an original or replacement SSN card must submit a current DHS document showing lawful admission for permanent residence, authority to work, or a change to a status that permits work. 20 C.F.R. §422.107(e)
If the noncitizen submits an unexpired DHS document showing current authorization to work, SSA will assign or verify an SSN and issue a card that can be used for work. 20 C.F.R. §422.107(e)(1)
For many nonimmigrants, SSA will not process an employment-authorized SSN application unless the applicant submits appropriate evidence showing employment authorization. SSA POMS RM 10211.420 An Employment Authorization Document, commonly an EAD, is evidence of a nonimmigrant’s authorization to accept temporary employment in the United States.
Conclusion: a green-card holder, U.S. citizen, or noncitizen with current DHS work authorization is entitled to an SSN if the required identity/status evidence is provided.
Noncitizens without work authorization
If a noncitizen’s documents do not show work authorization and the person wants an SSN for work, SSA will not assign an SSN. 20 C.F.R. §422.107(e)(2).
SSA policy states that SSA will not assign an SSN to a noncitizen who is illegally residing in the United States, or who is lawfully present but lacks DHS work authorization and is not work-authorized incident to status, unless the person has a valid nonwork reason for an SSN. SSA POMS RM 10211.600
Conclusion: lawful presence alone is not enough. A noncitizen generally must have DHS work authorization unless a narrow nonwork exception applies.
Valid nonwork reasons
SSA recognizes only limited nonwork reasons. An SSN may be issued for a nonwork purpose if:
- A federal statute or regulation requires the person to have an SSN to receive a federally funded benefit to which the person has otherwise established entitlement, whether the person resides in or outside the United States; or
- A state or local law requires the person to have an SSN to receive public assistance benefits to which the person has otherwise established entitlement, and the person is legally in the United States. 20 C.F.R. §422.104(a)(3)(i)–(ii); SSA POMS RM 10211.600
To obtain an SSN for a nonwork purpose, the noncitizen must provide evidence of age, identity, and current alien status, plus a letter from the appropriate government entity explaining the need for the SSN. SSA POMS RM 10211.600 The letter must be on agency letterhead, identify the applicant, state the nonwork reason and the statute or regulation requiring the SSN, state that the person meets all benefit requirements except having an SSN, provide a contact person, and be signed by an authorized official.
If SSA assigns an SSN for a nonwork purpose, SSA records that the person is not authorized to work and marks the card with a legend such as “NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT.” 20 C.F.R. §422.104(b)
Conclusion: a non-work-authorized noncitizen can receive an SSN only for a specific legally required government benefit/public assistance reason, not merely for convenience, banking, school enrollment, private insurance, or general tax filing.
Tax filing does not by itself entitle a person to an SSN
If a person cannot get an SSN but needs to file U.S. taxes, the IRS provides Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) for individuals.
Conclusion: a person who is not eligible for an SSN but has a U.S. tax filing requirement generally uses an ITIN, not an SSN.
Practical examples
| Example | SSN result |
| U.S.-born or naturalized U.S. citizen | Eligible. |
| Green-card holder | Eligible. |
| H-1B worker | Eligible because work-authorized by status. |
| L-1 worker | Eligible because work-authorized by status. |
| F-1 student with approved on-campus work, CPT, OPT, or other valid employment authorization | Eligible if the required work authorization evidence is presented. |
| H-4 spouse without EAD | Not eligible for a work-authorized SSN; may be eligible only if a valid nonwork reason exists. |
| B-1/B-2 visitor | Generally not eligible. |
| Undocumented individual | Generally not eligible, except in the narrow valid-nonwork-benefit situation. |
| Foreign spouse with no U.S. work authorization who needs to be listed on a U.S. tax return | Generally not eligible for SSN; should consider ITIN. |
Bottom line: an SSN is available to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, noncitizens authorized by DHS to work, and a narrow category of non-work-authorized noncitizens who need an SSN because a federal, state, or local law requires it for a qualifying government benefit. For tax filing only, the alternative is generally an ITIN.
Sources:
[1] Code of Federal Regulations § 422.104. https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/422/422-0104.htm
[2] If I am not a U.S. citizen, can I get a Social Security number?. https://www.ssa.gov/faqs/en/questions/KA-02178.html
[3] Code of Federal Regulations § 422.107. https://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/cfr20/422/422-0107.htm
[4] SSA – POMS: RM 10211.420 – Employment Authorization for Non-immigrants – 04/27/2026. https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211420
[5] SSA – POMS: RM 10211.600 – Requests for an SSN from an Noncitizen without Work Authorization – 02/07/2023. https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211600