International Students: Getting A Social Security Number

International students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) in the US, but they must meet certain requirements. To be eligible for an SSN, international students must have authorization to work in the US, either on-campus or off-campus, and they must apply for the SSN in person at a Social Security Administration office.

Eligibility requirements for international students

International students can obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) if they are eligible to work in the US. An SSN is a nine-digit number issued to US citizens, permanent residents, and non-residents with authorization to work in the US. It is used to verify work eligibility, report income and taxes, and collect Social Security benefits.

To be eligible for an SSN as an international student, you must have valid employment authorization to work in the US. This can be in the form of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by the USCIS, an I-20 endorsed for Curricular Practical Training, or a job offer for on-campus employment. J-1 students must also show evidence of employment and be registered for a full course of study. Obtaining an SSN requires submitting relevant documentation, such as Form SS-5 FS, and completing the application process at a local Social Security office.

It is important to note that having an SSN does not grant legal authorization to work in the US. However, if you have been authorized to work and are employed, you are required to apply for an SSN. An SSN is often used for convenience in opening bank accounts, applying for a credit card, or other non-work-related purposes.

For F-1 students specifically, additional documentation is required when applying for an SSN. This includes a completed Form SS-5, at least two documents verifying age, identity, and alien status, and a passport issued at least one year before the SSN application date.

Employment authorization

International students in the US with valid F1 immigration status are permitted to work off-campus in Optional Practical Training (OPT) status during and after completion of their degree. All OPT employment requires prior authorization from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the student's school's International Student Office. Students can apply for OPT after being enrolled for at least nine months, but they cannot begin employment until they receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS and have been enrolled for at least a year.

F-1 students may not work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment:

• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• Severe Economic Hardship Employment

CPT is an off-campus employment option for F1 students when the practical training is an integral part of the established curriculum or academic program. CPT employment can be defined as "alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school." To qualify, the work experience must be required for the student's degree, or academic credit must be awarded. Prior authorization by the student's school's International Student Office and notification to the USCIS is required. The student must have been enrolled in school full-time for one year on valid F1 status (except for graduate students where the program requires immediate CPT). The CPT employment must be an integral part of the student's degree program or a requirement for a course for which they receive academic credit. The International Student Office must authorize CPT, and once received, the student can only work for the specific employer and for the specific dates authorized. CPT authorization will also specify whether the student is approved for part-time (20 hours per week or less) or full-time employment.

To apply for a Social Security Number (SSN), students must first obtain valid employment authorization. Authorization can be based on the following:

• On-Campus Employment: Obtain a letter from a department confirming that the student has been offered an on-campus job. The employment letter must be printed on department letterhead, signed in the original by the hiring department, and include the student's job title, start and end dates, and other information.
• Off-Campus Employment: Obtain a valid, unexpired EAD card from the USCIS authorizing the student to work under F-1 optional practical training, international organization employment, or severe economic hardship employment.

Application process

International students in the US can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) if they have been granted legal authorization to work. F-1 and J-1 students may begin working while their application for an SSN is being processed but they cannot receive income until the SSN has been issued and processed by their employer's Human Resources department.

The application process for an SSN is as follows:

• Wait at least 2-3 weeks from your arrival in the US before requesting an SSN. This makes it easier for your DHS documents to be verified online and will speed up the application process.
• If you are an F-1 student, you must provide evidence of lawful F-1 employment such as an on-campus job or authorization for curricular practical training (CPT) or optional practical training (OPT).
• If you are a J-1 student under the sponsorship of an exchange visitor program, you must submit a letter from your affiliate department to the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). The OISS will issue a second letter to confirm your on-campus employment and that you are a full-time student in good standing.
• Visit a Social Security Office to apply for an SSN. Social Security forms are available at Social Security Administration (SSA) offices. No fee is required.
• Bring your original documents to prove your age, identity, and work-authorized immigration status. All evidence of immigration status and work authorization must be unexpired. This includes a valid passport, valid I-20 or DS-2019, and an I-94 card or electronic I-94 notated "F-1 D/S" or "J-1 D/S".
• If you are engaged in CPT, your I-20 must have an authorization for CPT printed on page 3 of the form. If you are engaged in OPT, you must also bring your unexpired Employment Authorization (EAD) card.
• Complete the SSN application form online – Form SS-5. This is the standard application form used by US citizens and non-citizens that are eligible to apply for an SSN.
• Form SS-5 FS is a variation of Form SS-5 that international students use to apply for an SSN when studying in the US.
• You can expect to receive your SSN within 4-6 weeks, although processing times vary. The SSA will mail your number and card as soon as all of your immigration information has been verified. It can take 2-4 weeks or more.

Social Security Card Centers

International students can obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) if they have authorization to work in the US. The SSN is not a work permit and does not grant legal authorization to work in the US. It is simply a number used to track earnings over a worker's lifetime and for tax purposes.

To obtain an SSN, international students must show the Social Security Administration that they are eligible to work in the US. This includes providing evidence of employment and valid F-1 employment authorization. On-campus employment typically requires a letter from the college department confirming that the student has been offered an on-campus job. The student must then submit a Social Security Letter Request to the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) and the OISS will issue a second letter to confirm the student's employment and full-time status.

J-1 students are required to show evidence of employment and must be in valid J-1 status and be registered for a full course of study. J-1 students under the sponsorship of an external organization should obtain a Social Security letter from their sponsor. J-2 dependents with employment authorization will need to have the above documents plus their Employment Authorization (EAD) card in order to apply for an SSN.

Once the student has obtained the necessary documentation, they can complete the social security application online and then visit their local Social Security Administration (SSA) office to show their documents in person. The application process typically takes 2-4 weeks. Students can apply at a local office near their place of residence or at any of the Social Security Card Centers. As of August 13, 2012, those living or receiving mail in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, or Queens must go to a Social Security Card Center to apply for a social security number or replacement card.

• Manhattan Social Security Center: 123 William Street, 3rd Fl., New York, NY 10038. Take the A/C/J/Z/2/3/4/5 to Fulton St.
• Bronx Social Security Center: 820 Concourse Village West, 2nd Fl., Bronx, NY 10451.
• Social Security Administration Thomas P. O’Neill Federal Office Building: 10 Causeway Street, Room 148 Boston, MA 02222. Phone: 800-772-1213. By MBTA: North Station “T” stop on the Green or Orange Line; the building is next to the TD Garden.

Uses of a Social Security Number

International students can get a Social Security Number (SSN) if they have authorization to work in the U.S. and meet other eligibility requirements.

A Social Security Number (SSN) is a unique, nine-digit identifier assigned to individuals in the United States. It was created in 1936 for the sole purpose of tracking the earnings of U.S. workers to determine their Social Security benefit entitlement. However, over the years, its use has expanded significantly, and it is now used as a universal identifier by government agencies and businesses.

• Employment and Wage Reporting: The primary purpose of an SSN is to track an individual's earnings over their lifetime for Social Security purposes. Employers use SSNs to report employee wages to the government, ensuring accurate tracking of income for tax and benefit computation purposes.
• Government Identification: Government agencies use SSNs to identify individuals in their records accurately. This helps in various administrative tasks, such as issuing driver's licenses, birth certificates, and enforcing child support orders.
• Financial Services: Banks and other financial institutions use SSNs to track individuals' financial information, manage accounts, and prevent identity theft.
• Tax Purposes: SSNs are used to report taxable income, including employee earnings and scholarship benefits, to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This ensures individuals are correctly taxed based on their income.
• Benefit and Service Eligibility: Certain government benefits and services may require an SSN for identification and eligibility verification. This includes receiving public assistance, applying for a driver's license, or registering for certain state or federal programs.
• Identity Verification: While not recommended due to security concerns, SSNs are sometimes used by private companies and other entities as a form of identity verification. This could include renting an apartment, opening a utility account, or applying for a loan.

It is important to note that while an SSN facilitates various administrative tasks, it does not grant legal authorization to work or provide legal status in the United States.

Frequently asked questions