Green Card Approved, Get a New SSN Card and Show It at Work
If you adjusted status inside the US with Form I-485 and your green card was approved, look at your SSN card first: if it carries a work restriction such as “VALID FOR WORK WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION,” bring your green card to SSA and ask to update your record, and SSA will issue a replacement card without the legend. At work, your employer must reverify Form I-9 when your EAD expires; at that point you can show the green card or the new unrestricted SSN card and keep working.
The day the green card arrives, check the name, date of birth and other details on it. If the card is valid for only 2 years, it is a conditional green card, and you must file to remove the conditions within the 90 days before it expires. After that, report every move within 10 days on Form AR-11.
What to do after your green card is approved
| When | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|
| The day the card arrives | Check the details on the card; carry it with you from age 18 | USCIS |
| After you get the green card | If your SSN card has a work restriction, bring the green card to SSA to update your record and get an unrestricted card | SSA POMS |
| Before your EAD expires | When your employer reverifies Form I-9, show the green card or an unrestricted SSN card | USCIS M-274 |
| Within 10 days of every move | File Form AR-11 | USCIS |
| Within 90 days before a 2-year card expires | Conditional residents file Form I-751 or I-829 | USCIS |
Green card arrives check the details first
USCIS issues every permanent resident a Permanent Resident Card (green card) as proof that they may live and work in the US. Permanent residents age 18 or older must carry a valid green card at all times (USCIS).
- Printed wrong: if USCIS made the error, file Form I-90 and check 2.d. or 3.d. in Part 2 (My existing card has incorrect data because of Department of Homeland Security error), with the card containing the error and documents showing the correct information. You can file online (USCIS).
- Name changed later: for changes such as marriage or a court-ordered name change, you also file Form I-90, checking 2.e. or 3.e.; USCIS says a fee generally applies in this case, and the amount is whatever the Form I-90 page shows.
- Card never arrived: see what to do when your green card has not arrived.
SSN card replace it if it has a restriction
An SSN card issued on a nonimmigrant work authorization reads “VALID FOR WORK WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION.” SSA’s internal manual says that when your status changes and DHS issues a new immigration document, the new document supersedes all earlier ones, and a card issued on evidence of permanent residence is unrestricted, with no legend (SSA POMS RM 10211.510).
- What to bring: your green card (Form I-551). SSA verifies it with DHS through the SAVE system (SSA POMS RM 10211.025).
- Same number: SSA treats this as a replacement SSN card; what changes is the legend on the card.
- Card limits apply: POMS says replacement cards are subject to SSA’s card limits.
- How to apply: we could not open SSA’s website when we checked on 2026-10-28, so this article could not read the current instructions for applying online or in person; check ssa.gov.
If you do not have an SSN yet, or you requested one on your I-485 and the card never came, see what to do when your SSN card has not arrived.
Employer and I-9 show the green card when your EAD expires
The USCIS handbook for employers on Form I-9 (M-274) says the employer must reverify before an employee’s employment authorization expires, and the employee may present any document from List A or List C, including an unrestricted Social Security card. The employer must reject a restricted Social Security card (USCIS M-274 6.1).
- No reverification when a green card expires: employers never reverify when a green card, US passport or List B document expires (USCIS M-274 6.0).
- What work you can do: permanent residents can take any legal work they are qualified for and choose; a few jobs are limited to US citizens for security reasons (USCIS).
Address report a move within 10 days on AR-11
After you get the green card, report your new address to USCIS within 10 days of every move (Form AR-11). For how to report, and what to enter when you have a pending case, see report a move to USCIS within 10 days.
2-year green card file within 90 days before it expires
A conditional permanent resident gets a green card valid for 2 years, and it cannot be renewed. You must file to remove the conditions within the 90 days before the card expires; if the conditions are not removed, you lose permanent resident status (USCIS).
- Marriage-based: file Form I-751.
- Investor: file Form I-829.
- When you can file: USCIS has a filing date calculator.
Selective Service, taxes and travel
- Selective Service: male permanent residents age 18 through 25 must register with Selective Service (USCIS); see Selective Service registration for male immigrants.
- Taxes: permanent residents must report their income to the IRS and state tax authorities (same source).
- Travel: if you are away from the US for no longer than 1 year, the green card is valid for reentry; if your trip will last longer than 1 year, apply for a reentry permit on Form I-131 before you leave (USCIS).
Frequently asked questions
Will my SSN change after the green card is approved?
No, the number stays the same. SSA issues a card with the same number, only without the work restriction.
Do I have to carry my green card?
Yes. USCIS says permanent residents age 18 or older must carry a valid green card at all times.
My green card has a printing error. How do I fix it?
If USCIS made the error, file Form I-90 and check 2.d. or 3.d., with the original card and supporting documents. The fee is whatever the Form I-90 page shows.
Can I renew a 2-year green card?
No. A conditional green card requires filing Form I-751 or I-829 within the 90 days before it expires to remove the conditions.
After I get my green card, how long can I stay abroad?
Up to 1 year, and the green card is valid for reentry. If you will be away longer than 1 year, apply for a reentry permit before you leave.
Check off the SSN item first
“Apply for a Social Security number (SSN)” is a free item in the My USA Plan checklist : the first 30 items are free, and the full 91 items cost US$9.90 once, not a subscription. For every deadline after arrival, see the first-year deadline table for new immigrants.
Sources and dates checked
All checked on 2026-10-27. This article is not legal or immigration advice.
- USCIS After We Grant Your Green Card (10/11/2024): https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card
- USCIS rights and responsibilities of a permanent resident (09/12/2025):https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/rights-and-responsibilities-of-a-green-card-holder-permanent-resident
- USCIS correcting and replacing immigration documents (02/18/2025):https://www.uscis.gov/tools/uscis-tools-and-resources/information-about-your-immigration-document
- USCIS conditional permanent residence (04/24/2025):https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/conditional-permanent-residence
- USCIS international travel as a permanent resident (09/12/2025):https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/after-we-grant-your-green-card/international-travel-as-a-permanent-resident
- USCIS M-274 6.0 (02/04/2025): https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-resources/handbook-for-employers-m-274/60-completing-supplement-b-reverification-and-rehire-of-form-i-9
- USCIS M-274 6.1 (10/08/2026): https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-resources/handbook-for-employers-m-274/60-completing-supplement-b-reverification-and-rehire-of-form-i-9/61-reverifying-employment-authorization-for-current-employees
- SSA POMS RM 10211.510 actions when an alien’s status changes:https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211510
- SSA POMS RM 10211.025 evidence of permanent resident status:https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211025