International Students: Getting A Social Security Number

International students in the US can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN), but they must have authorization to work in the US and meet SSA eligibility requirements. The SSN is a 9-digit identifier issued by the US Social Security Administration (SSA) to track earnings over a worker's lifetime. While it is not a requirement for employment, it is required by the US government for tax and employment reporting purposes.

International students can apply for an SSN

International students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) in the US, but they must be eligible to work in the country. The process may sound complicated, but it is not as daunting as it seems.

Firstly, you will need to have a job lined up, even part-time, on-campus work will make you eligible. If you are a J-1 student, you will need to provide a letter from your sponsor. The letter should be on sponsor-headed paper with an original signature that authorises your employment. If you are an F-1 student authorised to work in Curricular Practical Training (CPT), you must provide Form I-20 and a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status or (DSO) letter. If you are an F-1 student under the sponsorship of an external organisation, you should obtain a Social Security letter from your sponsor. If you have secured on-campus employment, your university will provide a letter to confirm this.

Once you have a job offer, you will need to gather the relevant documentation. This includes a valid passport, which is essential when applying for an SSN as a foreigner. You will then need to complete the application for a Social Security card before visiting the local Social Security Administration office in person. You can also apply online using Form SS-5. When you submit your application, your documents will be reviewed by a Social Security Administration (SSA) examiner. Once your application is accepted, ask for an application receipt so that you can show your employer that you have applied for an SSN. You can expect to receive your SSN within 4-6 weeks, although processing times vary.

It is important to note that you can start working without an SSN, but you must apply for one within 90 days of starting your job. If you are not eligible to work in the US, you may not be eligible for an SSN, and you will need to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead.

F-1 or M-1 visa students can apply for an SSN

F-1 or M-1 visa students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) in the US. The Social Security Administration (SSA) assigns nine-digit SSNs to eligible nonimmigrant workers, permanent residents, and US citizens. To apply for an SSN, F-1 or M-1 visa students must prove the following:

• They have valid employment authorization by providing an employment offer letter.
• Their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) record is in Active status and has been for at least two days before applying.
• They have been in the US for at least 10 days, allowing their arrival information to update in all government systems.

The application process typically involves submitting the SSN application form, along with the required original documents and photocopies. These documents include the I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1), passport, US visa stamp, and employment offer letter. It is recommended to carry all relevant documents when applying to prove eligibility easily.

Once the application is submitted, an SSA examiner will review the documents. Upon acceptance, applicants can request an application receipt, which can be shown to employers as proof of their SSN application. The typical processing time for an SSN is around 4 to 6 weeks, although it may vary.

Students must have employment authorization

International students with F-1 and J-1 visas can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) if they meet the Social Security Administration's (SSA) eligibility requirements. These include having valid immigration documents and employment authorization.

On-Campus Employment

F-1 and J-1 students must provide evidence of on-campus employment. This can be done by obtaining a letter from the relevant department confirming that they have been offered an on-campus job. The letter must be printed on department letterhead, signed, and include the student's job title.

Off-Campus Employment

For off-campus employment, F-1 students must obtain a valid, unexpired Employment Authorization (EAD) card from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. This authorizes them to work under F-1 optional practical training, international organization employment, or severe economic hardship employment.

J-1 Students

J-1 students are required to show evidence of employment and must be registered for a full course of study. If they are under the sponsorship of an external organization, they should obtain a Social Security letter from their sponsor.

Application Process

To apply for an SSN, students must first complete the social security application online. They will then need to visit a local SSA office to show their documents in person. It is recommended that students do not apply more than 30 days before the start of their employment, as applications submitted earlier may be rejected.

Once the application is accepted, students should ask for an application receipt, which they can show to their employer as proof that they have applied for an SSN. They can expect to receive their SSN within 2 to 8 weeks, although processing times may vary.

Students need to show proof of a job offer

International students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) in the US. To do so, they must prove that they have a job, even if it is part-time or on-campus work. This means that students need to show proof of a job offer when applying for an SSN.

F-1 visa students can apply for an SSN if they have found a job, either on or off campus. Students with J-1 visas are also required to show evidence of employment and be registered for a full course of study. They must be in valid J-1 status and can obtain a Social Security letter from their sponsor if they are under the sponsorship of an external organisation.

Students must obtain valid employment authorization to apply for an SSN. For on-campus employment, this can be obtained through a letter from the college department confirming that the student has been offered an on-campus job. This letter must be printed on department letterhead, signed by the hiring department, and include the student's job title and other relevant information.

Once a student has found a job and obtained the necessary documents, they must take them to their local Social Security Administration office in person to file their application for an SSN card. A valid passport is required when applying for an SSN as a foreigner. It is recommended to request an application receipt once the application has been accepted, as this can be shown to employers as proof that the student has applied for an SSN. The SSN can be expected to arrive within 4-6 weeks, although processing times may vary.

Students can apply for an ITIN if ineligible for SSN

International students with F-1 or J-1 visa status who are being paid by their university or have another form of employment are eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN). An SSN is used by employers and employees to report individual earnings for tax purposes.

To apply for an SSN, international students must first obtain valid employment authorization. They must also wait at least 10 days after arriving in the US before applying, to allow time for their arrival information to update in all government systems. Once their application is accepted, students should ask for an application receipt to show their employer that they have applied for an SSN. They can expect to receive their SSN within 3 to 6 weeks, although processing times vary.

However, if an international student is ineligible for an SSN but receives non-wage income in the US (e.g. scholarships, grants, interest on stocks, gambling/lottery winnings), they must apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). An ITIN is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to individuals who need to report income but are ineligible to obtain an SSN. To apply for an ITIN, students must submit a Form W-7, "Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number," with a US tax return. They may also need to apply for an ITIN if they need to file a 1040NR tax return.

Frequently asked questions