Non-citizens can receive Social Security, but only if they meet specific work and immigration requirements

You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to receive Social Security benefits. However, the rules are strict about how long you must have worked, what type of visa or status you hold, and whether you can stay in the country. A non-citizen who worked and paid Social Security taxes for the required time may be may have access to to retirement, disability, or survivor benefits — but some immigration statuses block you from receiving them even if you worked long enough.

The key rule: you need 40 work credits (roughly 10 years of covered work) to receive retirement benefits, just like a citizen does. The difference is what happens after you leave the United States or what status you need to hold while you collect.

Key Takeaways

  • Non-citizens who worked and paid Social Security taxes for 40 quarters (10 years) can receive retirement benefits if they meet immigration requirements.
  • Your immigration status matters: permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and some visa holders can receive benefits, but undocumented immigrants and certain temporary visa holders cannot.
  • If you leave the United States, your benefits may stop or be reduced depending on which country you move to and your immigration status.
  • You will need proof of your work history (a Social Security statement) and proof of your immigration status (a green card, visa, or other document) when you contact Social Security.

Who can receive Social Security as a non-citizen

Social Security recognizes several immigration categories that allow you to receive benefits:

  • Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can receive all types of benefits — retirement, disability, and survivor benefits — as long as they have 40 work credits.
  • Refugees and asylees can receive benefits after one year in the United States, even if they do not yet have a green card.
  • Certain visa holders — including H-1B workers, L-1 workers, and others with employment authorization — can receive benefits if they have worked long enough and meet other rules.
  • Undocumented immigrants cannot receive Social Security benefits, even if they worked and paid taxes. Some states have created separate retirement programs, but these are not Social Security.
  • Temporary visa holders (such as tourists or students on F-1 visas without work authorization) cannot receive benefits unless they change their status.

The rule is not about how you entered the country — it is about your current legal status and your work history. If you are unsure what category you fall into, Social Security can review your immigration documents when you contact them.

Work credits and the 40-quarter requirement

Non-citizens and citizens use the same system to earn work credits. You earn one credit for each quarter (three-month period) in which you earned at least a certain amount of income and paid Social Security taxes. In 2024, you earn one credit for each $1,705 you earned; the dollar amount changes each year. You can earn a maximum of four credits per year.

To receive retirement benefits, you need 40 credits total — which usually means 10 years of work. To receive disability benefits, you typically need 20 credits earned in the 10 years before you became disabled, though younger workers need fewer. Survivor benefits have their own credit requirements, but a non-citizen spouse or child of a worker who had 40 credits may be may have access to to benefits based on that worker's record.

You can check how many credits you have earned by creating an account on ssa.gov and viewing your Social Security statement. If you do not have an online account, you can request a statement by mail or phone.

What happens to your benefits if you leave the United States

This is where immigration status makes the biggest difference. If you are a U.S. citizen, you can live anywhere in the world and receive your full Social Security check. Non-citizens face restrictions.

Permanent residents (green card holders) can usually receive benefits while living outside the United States, but some countries have restrictions. Social Security maintains a list of countries where benefits cannot be paid; if you move to one of those countries, your benefits will stop. You can resume them if you return to the United States or move to a country where payments are allowed.

Refugees and asylees can receive benefits while outside the United States for up to six months per year. If you stay outside the country longer than that, your benefits may stop.

Other non-citizens may have different rules depending on their visa type. Some visa holders must remain in the United States to receive benefits; others can receive them abroad. You should ask Social Security about your specific situation before you move.

How to report your immigration status to Social Security

When you contact Social Security to start receiving benefits, you will need to bring proof of your immigration status. Bring your green card, visa, employment authorization document (EAD), refugee or asylee approval notice, or other official immigration document. Social Security will make a copy and keep it in your file.

If your immigration status changes — for example, if you become a permanent resident or if your visa expires — you should notify Social Security. You can do this by phone, by mail, or in person at your local Social Security office. Changes in status can affect whether you can continue to receive benefits or whether you can receive them while living outside the United States.

Non-citizens who worked but cannot receive benefits

If you are undocumented or on a temporary visa without work authorization, you cannot receive Social Security benefits, even if you worked and paid taxes. Some undocumented immigrants have paid Social Security taxes using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN); that money does not create a Social Security account or work credits.

A few states — California, New York, and Illinois — have created state retirement savings programs for workers who cannot access Social Security. These are not Social Security benefits, but they allow you to set aside money for retirement. You can learn about these programs through your state's labor department.

If your immigration status changes in the future — for example, if you become a permanent resident — you may then become may have access to to Social Security based on work you did before you had legal status, as long as you have 40 work credits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Social Security if I worked here illegally?

No, you cannot receive Social Security benefits if you are undocumented, even if you worked and paid taxes. However, if your immigration status changes and you become a permanent resident or refugee, you may become may have access to to benefits based on that past work, as long as you have 40 work credits total.

What if I have a work visa but it is about to expire?

Contact Social Security before your visa expires to understand how the expiration will affect your benefits. Some visa holders can continue to receive benefits after their visa ends if they have other legal status; others cannot. Social Security can review your specific situation and tell you what to expect.

Do I need to be a permanent resident to get Social Security?

No. Refugees, asylees, and some visa holders can receive benefits without a green card. The key is that your immigration status must allow it and you must have 40 work credits. Social Security will review your documents to confirm.

What countries can I move to and still get my benefits?

Permanent residents can receive benefits in most countries except a small list that Social Security maintains (mostly countries under U.S. sanctions). Refugees and asylees can receive benefits while outside the U.S. for up to six months per year. Ask Social Security about your specific country before you move.

How do I prove my work history if I do not have a Social Security number?

If you worked using an ITIN or under someone else's number, you may not have an official Social Security record. Contact Social Security directly to discuss your situation; they can sometimes reconstruct your work history if you have W-2 forms, pay stubs, or tax returns from your employer.