Social Security Number delays impact US relocations

📅 2025 Update
For companies managing employee relocations to the United States, the Social Security Number (SSN) application process has become a growing challenge in 2025.

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📍 Many Social Security Administration offices including

Social Security Administration (SSA) offices in the following cities now require appointments, with limited or no walk-in availability:

• New York City
• Miami
• Dallas
• Houston
• San Jose

now operate on an appointment-only basis, with limited walk-in availability.

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⏱️ Average processing time

4 to 6 weeks to obtain an SSN (previously 10–15 days).
Appointments often booked 2–3 weeks in advance, especially in large US cities with high expat populations.

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📌 What HR & Global Mobility teams should know

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• Schedule the SSA appointment as soon as the assignee arrives in the US – ideally within the first 10 days (Expat-US is in charge of this task).
• Expat-US helps your employee prepare mandatory documents: passport, visa, I-94 record, and employment verification letter. Please provide it immediately after the employee is hired.
• To prevent payroll delays, use a “pending SSN” payroll process where allowed.
• Communicate clearly with assignees about US onboarding timelines and relocation compliance requirements.

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