U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Monday that immigrants applying for a green card from within the United States will now be able to apply for a Social Security number (SSN) or replacement card as part of the same application.
Previously, applicants had to apply for a Social Security number separately at a Social Security office. USCIS has updated Form I-485 (“Application for Adjustment of Status) to include additional questions asking whether or not the applicant would like to apply for a SSN.
Applicants will be permitted to submit either the new or the previous version of Form I-485 until Oct. 13, 2021, after which all applicants will need to submit the new version of the form.
“This expansion of our partnership with the Social Security Administration illustrates our commitment to operating our nation’s immigration system more efficiently to save applicants time,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou in a statement. “Eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy and optimizing collaboration across public-serving agencies is a key priority for this agency and the Biden-Harris administration.”
Once USCIS approves an applicant’s Form I-485, the Social Security Administration will issue the applicant a SSN or replacement card.
The government filing fee for Form I-485 will remain the same (currently $1,225).
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