【ARCFE News】 USCIS Ends SSN Request When Applying for EAD

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially ended the long-standing practice that allowed applicants for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to request a Social Security Number (SSN) directly through form I-765.

Since 2017, EAD applicants were able to request an original or replacement SSN as part of their form I-765 filing under the Social Security Administration Enumeration Beyond Entry program. This streamlined process eliminated the need for applicants to visit a local Social Security Administration (SSA) office in person. Once an EAD applicant was approved, USCIS would transmit the applicant's information to the SSA, resulting in the issuance of two separate documents: the EAD card and (separately) an SSN card sent by mail.

Foreign nationals who need an SSN must now apply directly with the SSA. This generally requires submitting a separate application and appearing in person at a local SSA office to complete the process.

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EAD Validity Period Reduced from 5 Years to 18 Months

On December 4, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a major policy update:

The validity period for multiple categories of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) has been formally reduced from 5 years back to 18 months. This update applies to both initial and renewal applications and covers all Form I-765 filings submitted on or after December 5, 2025, including cases currently pending adjudication.

According to the USCIS notice, the maximum validity period for initial and renewal EADs will be changed from 5 years back to 18 months for several categories of aliens:

● Aliens admitted as refugees;

● Aliens granted asylum;

● Aliens granted withholding of deportation or removal;

● Aliens with pending applications for asylum or withholding of removal;

● Aliens with pending applications for adjustment of status under INA 245; and

● Aliens with pending applications for suspension of deportation, cancellation of removal, or relief under the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act.

USCIS stated that the purpose of this change is to enhance security vetting and increase the frequency of identity verification. In practice, the 5-year EAD validity period has never been a long-standing norm; it was a temporary measure introduced to relieve post-pandemic backlogs. Therefore, this update represents a reversion to the long-established regulatory framework, rather than a shift in immigration policy.

As a result, EB-5 applicants filing I-526E + I-485 concurrently inside the U.S. should expect that any I-765 filed or pending on/after December 5, 2025 will receive an EAD valid for 18 months instead of 5 years.

To ensure smooth processing and maintaining lawful status, ARCFE recommends:

1. Begin EB-5 planning and filing early to secure the current concurrent filing benefits

Future USCIS adjudication practices and regulatory details may continue to evolve. Submitting early allows applicants to lock in current policies and enter the queue sooner.

2. Plan ahead for EAD renewals

Timely preparation helps prevent employment gaps caused by renewal timing challenges.

About Us

ARCFE is a USCIS-designated EB-5 Regional Center with more than a decade of experience in both real estate financing and the EB-5 industry. To date, ARCFE has successfully raised over $211M in EB-5 capital across 19 successful EB-5 projects, achieving a 100% project approval rate and a 100% EB-5 capital repayment record. These accomplishments position ARCFE as a leading EB-5 Regional Center in New York City.

Backed by a team with deep, hands-on expertise across both real estate development in NYC and EB-5 immigration, ARCFE brings a fully integrated approach to structuring and managing EB-5 investments. This dual-track experience enables ARCFE to proactively identify and mitigate risk at every stage - from project selection and capital deployment to immigration compliance and exit strategy execution. As a result, ARCFE is confident in delivering well-structured, low-risk EB-5 projects that prioritize capital preservation, high success rate, and a clear, reliable pathway for investors seeking U.S. permanent residency.

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