U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) have teamed up to allow eligible foreign workers to apply for both an employment authorization document (EAD) and a Social Security number (SSN) using one new Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.

Previously, applicants had to file Form I-765 with USCIS to obtain their EAD, and then visit their local Social Security office in person and complete additional paperwork to get their SSN from the SSA.

The new process should allow applicants to skip that in-person visit. After noting on the I-765 that the applicant also likes to receive a SSN, the information should be automatically transmitted to SSA for processing after the EAD is approved. The applicant should receive his/her Social Security card within the following two weeks.