TN 46 (08-23)

RM 10211.530 List of Documents Establishing Lawful Alien Status for an SSN Card

The charts below list the documents that establish lawful alien status for Social Security Number (SSN) applications. The charts show the form number, name, the class of admission (COA), for aliens admitted on a temporary basis and the appropriate entries for alien status and Permanent Resident Alien (PRA) status on the SS-5. This information is also useful when completing the “Assign CIT/PRA,” screen entries in the Social Security Number Application Process (SSNAP).

IMMIGRATION FORM

DESCRIPTION

CITIZENSHIP FIELD

PRA CODE

I-551

Permanent Resident Card Evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence (See RM 10211.025) (DHS replaced Form AR-3/AR-3a with Form I-551).

Legal alien allowed to work

Y

I-551 stamp

Temporary I-551 Evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence until the I-551 card is received. (See RM 10211.025)

Legal alien allowed to work

Y

I-20

Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant Student Status Evidence that the alien is an F-1 or M-1 foreign student. Must also show evidence of non-immigrant status per RM 10211.135 showing either F-1 or M-1 alien classification. (See RM 10211.265 and RM 10211.270)

See RM 10211.280

N

I-94 or I-94A

Arrival/Departure Record Evidence of alien status. There are different versions of the form. (See RM 10211.135)

 

 

I-94W

Non-immigrant Visa Waiver Arrival/Departure Record Evidence the alien is a visitor from a visa waiver country. See RM 10211.135

 

 

I-95A

Crewman's Landing Permit Issued to foreign crewmen. (See RM 10211.135)

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

I-766

Employment Authorization Document Evidence of work authorization (See RM 10211.420)

Legal alien allowed to work

N

I-797

Notice of Action Accept only for Family Unity program aliens. (See RS 00204.025)

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

Admission Stamp in Unexpired Foreign Passport

As of April 2013, evidence of alien status when applicant does not have an I-94 or I-94 printout. (See RM 10211.135)

 

 

DS-2019

Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status Evidence the alien is an exchange visitor. Must also show evidence of non-immigrant status per RM 10211.135 with J-1 or J-2 classification. (See RM 10211.345)

See RM 10211.345

N

When an alien, listed below, has an (*) next to the description, that individual may work only when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grants employment authorization and issues an I-766, Employment Authorization Document (EAD). When the alien presents an EAD, check the CITIZENSHIP FIELD “legal alien allowed to work” and code the PRA with an N.

NOTE: Effective November 2021, DHS updated the class of admission (COA), with limited exceptions, such that the spouse of an E-1, E-2, E-3, or L-1 principal may have a COA of E-1S, E-2S, E-3S, or L-2S. The children of an E-1, E-2, E-3, or L-1 principal may have a COA of E-1Y, E-2Y, E-3Y, or L-2Y.

Additionally, DHS granted spouses of principal E-1, E-2, E-3, and L-1 work authorization incident to status. These spouses do not have to present an EAD to receive a work-authorized SSN card. I-94s issued for these spouses, prior to January 30, 2022, may reflect a COA of E-1, E-2, E-3 or L-2. DHS will not issue a new I-94 to reflect the new E-1S, E-2S, E-3S, or L-2S COA. However, DHS created a notice for those spouses who are already in the U.S. and who were given an E-1, E-2, E-3, or L-2 COA, so that the spouse can use the notice, in combination with the I-94, as evidence of employment authorization. DHS began mailing notices with the new admission code, as of April 1, 2022 (if an individual alleges non-receipt of the notice, refer the individual to DHS).

See RM 10211.420 for additional information.

CLASS

DESCRIPTION

CITIZENSHIP FIELD

PRA CODE

A-1

Ambassador, public minister, career diplomat, or consular officer

Legal alien allowed to work

N

 

Spouse or child of principal A-1 alien*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

A-2

Other foreign government official or employee

Legal alien allowed to work

N

 

Spouse or child of principal A-2 alien*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

A-3

Attendant, servant, or personal employee of principal A-1 or A-2 alien

Legal alien allowed to work

N

 

Spouse or child of principal A-3 alien

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

B-1

Visitor for business (If the B-1 alien alleges employment as a personal, domestic servant, or employee of a foreign airline, follow RM 10211.420G.2.*)

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

B-2

Visitor for pleasure

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

BE

Bering Strait Agreement visa-free visitor for pleasure to certain designated areas of Alaska

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

C-1

Alien in transit through the U.S.

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

C-2

Alien in transit to UN Headquarters

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

C-3

Foreign government official in transit through the U.S.

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

 

Attendant, servant, personal employee, spouse or child of principal C-3 alien

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

CFA/FSM

Alien is a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia

Legal alien allowed to work

Y

CFA/MIS

Alien is a citizen of the Republic of Marshall Islands

Legal alien allowed to work

Y

CFA/PAL

Alien is a citizen of the Republic of Palau

Legal alien allowed to work

Y

CHP

Cuban Humanitarian Parolee*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

CW1

Transitional worker (principal) NOTE: Valid Only in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). See RM 10210.684B.

Legal alien allowed to work

N

CW2

Spouse or child of principal CW1 alien

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

D-1,D-2

Crew Member

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

E-1

Treaty trader

Legal alien allowed to work

N

E-1, E-1S

Spouse of principal E-1 alien

Legal alien allowed to work

N

E-1, E-1Y

Child of principal E-1 alien

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

E-2

Treaty investor

Legal alien allowed to work

N

E2C

Long-term business investor or foreign investor (principal) NOTE: Valid Only in the CNMI. See RM 10210.676C.

Legal alien allowed to work

N

 

Spouse of principal E2C long-term business investor or foreign investor see RM 10210.676C *

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

E-2, E-2S

Spouse of principal E-2 alien

Legal alien allowed to work

N

E-2, E-2Y

Child of principal E-2 alien

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

 E-3

Treaty investor in specialty occupation

Legal alien allowed to work

N

E-3, E-3R, E-3S

Spouse of principal E-3 alien

Legal alien allowed to work

N

E-3D

Spouse of principal E-3 alien

Legal alien allowed to work

N

E-3, E-3Y

Child of principal E-3 alien

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

E-3R

Returning E-3 principal alien

Legal alien allowed to work

N

F-1

Academic student for on-campus employment and DSO-authorized curricular practical training (See RM 10211.240)

Legal alien allowed to work

N

 

Academic student for employment in authorized optional practical training (provision of law: optional practical training – 8 C.F.R. § 274a.12(c)(3)(i); employment with an international organization – 8 C.F.R. § 274a.12(c)(3)(ii); economic hardship – 8 C.F.R. § 274a.12(c)(3)(iii)).*

Legal alien not allowed to work

 

F-2

Spouse or child of F-1 alien

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

F-3

Canadian or Mexican national academic student who commutes to school in the U.S. DSO-authorized for curricular practical training. See RM 10211.255

Legal alien allowed to work

N

 

Canadian or Mexican national academic student who commutes to school in the U.S.– for employment in optional practical training. See RM 10211.240 for employment authorization document.*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

G-1

Resident representative of a recognized foreign government member to an international organization

Legal alien allowed to work

N

 

Spouse or child of principal G-1 alien*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

G-2

Other temporary representative of a recognized foreign government member to an international organization

Legal alien allowed to work

N

 

Spouse or child of principal G-2 alien

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

G-3

Representative of unrecognized or nonmember foreign government to an international organization

Legal alien allowed to work

N

 

Spouse or child of principal G-3 alien*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

G-4

Representative of an international organization (officer or employee)

Legal alien allowed to work

N

 

Spouse or child of principal G-4 alien*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

G-5

Attendant, servant or personal employee of principal G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-4 alien

Legal alien allowed to work

N

 

Spouse or child of principal G-5 alien

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

H-1B

Worker in a specialty occupation

Legal alien allowed to work

N

H-1B1

Temporary worker in a specialty occupation

Legal alien allowed to work

N

H-2A

Agricultural worker

Legal alien allowed to work

N

H-2B

Non-agrarian seasonal worker

Legal alien allowed to work

N

H-3

Trainee

Legal alien allowed to work

N

H-4

Spouse or child of H-1A, H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, or H-3 alien

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

 

Spouse H.1B*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

HHP

Haitian Humanitarian Parolee*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

I

Foreign information media representative

Legal alien allowed to work

N

 

Spouse or child of principal I alien

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

J-1

Exchange visitor (pursuant to an approved program), see RM 10211.340. An exchange visitor whose DS-2019 shows the category as “student,” “student intern,” or “international visitor” in item 4 of the form must provide a letter from the program sponsor as evidence of authority to work. Otherwise, presume the employment authorization is part of the J-1's exchange program.

See RM 10211.345

N

J-2

Spouse or child of J-1 alien*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

K-1

Fiancé or fiancée of a U.S. citizen

Legal alien allowed to work

N

K-2

Child of K-1 alien

Legal alien allowed to work

N

K-3

Spouse of U.S. Citizen*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

K-4

Child of K3*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

L-1

Intra-company transferee

Legal alien allowed to work

N

L-1A

Intra-company Transferee Managers and Executives

Legal alien allowed to work

N

L-1B

Intra-company Transferee Specialized Knowledge.

Legal alien allowed to work

N

L-2, L-2S

Spouse of inter-company transferee

Legal alien allowed to work

N

L-2, L-2Y

Minor child of L-1 alien

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

M-1

Nonacademic student*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

M-2

Spouse or child of M-1 alien

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

M-3

Canadian or Mexican national non-academic commuter student for practical training.*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

NATO-1 (N-1)

NATO-2 (N-2)

NATO-3 (N-3)

NATO-4 (N-4)

NATO-5 (N-5)

NATO-6 (N-6)

NATO officer, representative, or personnel (principal)

Spouse or child of principal NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, or NATO-6 alien*

Legal alien allowed to work

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

   



N

NATO-7

Attendant, servant, or personal employee of principal NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, or NATO-6 alien

Legal alien allowed to work

N

 

Spouse or child of NATO-7 alien*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

N-8

Parent of an alien granted permanent residence*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

N-9

Child of an alien granted permanent residence*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

NHP

Nicaraguan Humanitarian Parolee *

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

O-1

Alien with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics

Legal alien allowed to work

N

O-2

Alien accompanying O-1 alien

Legal alien allowed to work

N

O-3

Spouse or child of O-1 or O-2 alien

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

OAR

Parolee admitted under Operation Allies Welcome

Legal alien allowed to work

N

P-1

Internationally recognized athlete or entertainer in an internationally recognized group

Legal alien allowed to work

N

P-1S

Internationally recognized athlete or entertainer support personnel

Legal alien allowed to work

N

P-2

Artist or entertainer in an exchange program

Legal alien allowed to work

N

P-2S

Artist or entertainer support personnel

Legal alien allowed to work

N

P-3

Artist or entertainer in a culturally unique program

Legal alien allowed to work

N

P-3S

Essential support personnel

Legal alien allowed to work

N

P-4

Spouse or child of P-1, P-2, or P-3 alien

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

Q-1

Cultural exchange visitor

Legal alien allowed to work

N

Q-2

Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Visitor

Legal alien allowed to work

N

Q-3

Spouse or child of Q-2

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

R-1

Religious worker with a nonprofit religious organization

Legal alien allowed to work

N

R-2

Spouse or child of R-1 alien

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

S-5

Alien supplying critical information relating to a criminal organization or enterprise*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

S-6

Alien supplying critical information relating to counter-terrorism*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

S-7

Spouse or child of S-5 or S-6 alien*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

T-1

Victim of a severe form of trafficking in person

Legal alien allowed to work

N

T-2

Spouse of a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

T-3

Child of victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

T-4

Parent of victim of a severe form of trafficking in person (if T-1 victim is under 21 years of age)*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

T-5

Unmarried sibling under 18 years of age, of victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

T-6

Adult or minor child of derivative (primary applicant's spouse and/or children who will obtain status from the primary applicant) family member of a victim of severe form of trafficking.* For example: The T-2 spouse's child (the principal's stepchild).

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

TC

Professional businessperson from Canada (United States-Canada Free Trade Act)

Legal alien allowed to work

N

TD

Spouse or child of TN alien

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

TN

Professional businessperson from Canada or Mexico (North American Free Trade Agreement)

Legal alien allowed to work

N

TN-1

Professional businessperson from Canada, North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Legal alien allowed to work

N

TN-2

Professional businessperson from Mexico, North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

Legal alien allowed to work

N

TPS

Alien granted temporary protected status *

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

U-1

Victim of Certain Criminal Activity

Legal alien allowed to work

N

U-2

Spouse of U-1

Legal alien allowed to work

N

U-3

Child of U-1

Legal alien allowed to work

N

U-4

Parent of U-1, if U-1 is under 21 years of age

Legal alien allowed to work

N

U-5

Sibling of U-1, if U-1 is unmarried and under 18 years of age

Legal alien allowed to work

N

UHP

Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee admitted under Uniting for Ukraine

Legal alien allowed to work

N

V-1

Spouse of a permanent resident. The I-766 shows “A-15” under “Category

Legal alien allowed to work

N

V-2

Child of a permanent resident

Legal alien allowed to work

N

V-3

Parent of a permanent resident

Legal alien allowed to work

N

VHP

Venezuelan Humanitarian Parolee*

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

WB

Visitor for business from a visa waiver country

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

WT

Tourist from a visa waiver country

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

Asylee

Alien granted asylum under section 208 of the INA

Legal alien allowed to work

Y

Cuban/Haitian Entrant

Alien who entered as a refugee/conditional entrant before April 1, 1980

Legal alien allowed to work

N

Parolee

Alien paroled into the U.S. temporarily *

Legal alien not allowed to work

N

 

Ukrainian DT Parolee

Legal alien allowed to work

N

Refugee

Alien admitted pursuant to section 207 of the INA

Legal alien allowed to work

Y


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211530
RM 10211.530 - List of Documents Establishing Lawful Alien Status for an SSN Card - 08/02/2023
Batch run: 08/16/2023
Rev:08/02/2023