Acquiring Social Security Number w/ L1 Visa
- Adam Garrett
- Sep 5
- 4 min read
"L‑1 visa holders are lawfully authorized to work, which makes them eligible to apply for an SSN."
A social security number (SSN) is helpful for a wide variety of objectives in the US, i.e.:
initially establishing credit at the majority of institutions that will require it
establishing a deposit account at a significant % of institutions,
applying for a place to rent,
applying for a mortgage, & more.
Below, I'll go over some of the basics of the application process.
Pre-Departure Preparations
"To streamline things once you’re in the U.S., it's a good idea to:
Collect and translate (if needed) originals or certified copies of these documents:
Valid passport with the L‑1 visa
Form I‑797 approval notice issued by USCIS
Birth certificate (if available) or the passport itself as a backup for age
Consider completing Form SS‑5 ahead of time. This is the official application form for an SSN card...
Wait 10 Days After Arrival Before Coming to Social Security Office
"After arrival, it's recommended to wait about 10 days. This gives government systems time (e.g., DHS, SSA) to reflect your arrival and work-authorized status, facilitating smoother processing." You can book the appointment even before you get there; the key is to not be at the Social Security office until 10 days after arrival.
More details FYI:
"How the Systems Update
When you enter the U.S., Customs and Border Protection (CBP) creates your I-94 arrival/departure record and updates DHS systems with your admission details (visa class, status, expiration, etc.).
That entry data flows into the SAVE system (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements), which is what SSA uses to confirm you are legally present and work-authorized.
SSA offices pull this verification automatically when you apply.
Why the 10-Day Wait?
It can take a few days for your arrival and visa information to propagate from CBP → DHS → SSA systems.
If you apply too soon, the SSA clerk may not be able to confirm your status electronically and may need to do a manual SAVE verification, which delays your SSN issuance.
Waiting 7–10 days usually ensures your data is already available, making the process smoother."
Book an Appointment (& When to Go, Expected Wait Times)
You or someone you know can book an appointment for you. It's best to book in advance & to know when busy times are. Walk-ins are also available after day 10.
Hours for most Social Security offices throughout the US (including Virginia Beach & most of Hampton Roads) are 9-4 M-F, but there are some exceptions in some US locations. These can be booked by calling in or online via the SSA appointment portal.
"Mondays
The first week of the month
Midday or early afternoon, when staff lunch schedules overlap"
Lower traffic:
Late afternoons—especially the last hour before closing
Wednesday through Friday
End of the month"
"Summary Table: Appointment vs. Walk-in
Type | Typical Wait Time | Notes |
Appointment | ~6 minutes (average) | Fastest, most predictable experience SSASocial Security |
Walk-in (kiosk) | ~39 minutes total | Varies by check-in method oig.ssa.govMoney Talks News |
Walk-in (staff) | ~53 minutes total | Longer wait, slower oig.ssa.govMoney Talks News |
Walk-in (busy times) | 1–3+ hours possible |
Bring to the Appointment & Expectations at Appointment
Bring all items in the "Pre-Departure Preparations" above, including Form SS-5.
"Bring original or certified copies only—photocopies or notarized copies are not accepted.
At the office, your documents will be reviewed, originals returned, and you’ll be issued a receipt. The SSN card is usually mailed within 2 weeks."
"Summary Checklist
Step | Before Arrival | After Arrival |
Prepare documents | Passport w/ L-1 visa, I-94, I-797, birth certificate | Originals only—must bring to SSA office |
Forms | Download & complete SS-5 | Take SS-5 to SSA office |
Timing | N/A | Wait ~10 days post-arrival before applying |
EBE option | No longer available | Must apply in person now |
SSA Office | Locate nearest (e.g., Virginia Beach) | Visit walk-in or schedule appointment |
Appointments | N/A | Can be made online or via phone by anyone" |
Countries w/ Most L-1 Visas
"Top Countries of Origin for L-1 Visas (Latest Available Data)
The most recent comprehensive data by country is from fiscal year 2019, and it gives us a strong sense of the major sources:
India: Issued 18,354 L-1 visas in 2019, making it by far the largest country of origin—accounting for approximately 23.8% of all L-1 visas issued that year (1).
Following India:
United Kingdom
Brazil
Mexico
China
Each of these countries received between 5,000 to 6,000 L-1 visas in 2019.
Also among the top 10: Japan, Germany, and France.
Across all, about 160 different countries had citizens issued L-1 visas in FY 2019, illustrating the global reach of this visa category."
Sources:
What Banks & Credit Unions Accept ITINs or Alternate IDs Before I get a Social Security Number?
"PNC Bank- Allows non-residents to open accounts without an SSN, accepting alternatives like an ITIN or completing IRS Form W-8BEN as part of the application process.
Citibank- Offers account openings with either an SSN or an ITIN—and may allow alternative ID documentation.
Chase- Accepts an SSN or an ITIN, and may permit a valid alternative form of ID in lieu of those, depending on the documentation provided.
Bank of America- Also accepts ITINs (in place of an SSN), and often provides accommodations for newcomers—including offering W-8BEN forms for documentation."
Acknowledgements
Disclosure: Alongside the sources cited in this article, portions of the research and quoted material were generated with the assistance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT (GPT-5, September 2025).
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