I already have an SSN from a previous exchange program; can I use it for the L-1?

Yes. The Social Security Number (SSN) is permanent: the number you received during a previous exchange program remains yours for life and is the same one you use for the L-1. You do not apply for a new SSN each time you change visa status.

What often causes confusion is the note printed on many cards issued during studies or exchange programs: ‘VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION’. This does not invalidate the number; it simply indicates that it may only be used for employment when you hold a valid work authorization granted by the U.S. government.

With the L-1, that authorization comes from the visa category itself. In other words, the SSN remains the same and the permission to work now rests on your L-1 status, not on the student status that existed when the card was originally issued.

When starting with a new employer, simply provide your SSN, which does not change. If you have questions about the card or the status transition, it is worth confirming directly with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and USCIS, or with a trusted immigration professional.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.