F1 Students And Social Security: Who's Eligible?

International students on an F1 visa are eligible to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) if they have a job lined up or have been offered on-campus employment. The Social Security Number is used to report an employee's earnings or a student's taxable scholarship benefits. However, it is often used as a matter of convenience for other purposes, such as opening a bank account.

F-1 students must have a job to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN)

To apply for an SSN, F-1 students must first obtain valid employment authorization. This can be done by providing a valid passport, I-20 or DS-2019, and an I-94 card or electronic I-94 notated "F-1 D/S". Additionally, they must submit a job offer letter when applying for an SSN letter. The job offer letter must include the student's name as it appears on their passport and be issued by the hiring department.

If an F-1 student's employment is based on CPT or OPT, they must also bring their unexpired Employment Authorization (EAD) card. It is recommended that students do not apply for an SSN more than 30 days prior to the start of their employment as applications may be rejected. Once a student has submitted their application, their documents will be reviewed by a Social Security Administration (SSA) examiner. If their application is accepted, they will receive their SSN within 4-6 weeks, although processing times may vary.

It is important to note that simply having an SSN does not grant legal authorization to work in the US. However, if a student has been authorized to work and is working, they are required to apply for and obtain an SSN.

SSN applications must be made in person at a Social Security Administration office

International students with an F1 visa can obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) if they have been granted legal authorization to work in the US. This can be done through Optional Practical Training or other off-campus employment, for which you will need a valid, unexpired Employment Authorization (EAD) card from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

To prove your U.S. immigration status, you must show your current U.S. immigration document, such as Form I-551 (Lawful Permanent Resident Card, Machine Readable Immigrant Visa) along with your unexpired foreign passport. If you are a U.S.-born applicant, your birth record will need to be verified. An exception is made for parents applying for their baby's SSN at the hospital when the baby is born.

If you are an F-1 student, you must also obtain valid employment authorization. This can be done by obtaining a letter from your college or university department confirming that you have been offered an on-campus job. This letter must be printed on department letterhead, signed by your hiring department, and include your job title and start date. Alternatively, your employment authorization can be based on curricular practical training, optional practical training, international organization employment, or severe economic hardship employment.

Once your application is approved, you will receive your Social Security card with your number on it by mail within 14 days.

F-1 students must submit a completed Form SS-5, Social Security Card Application

F-1 students are eligible to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) if they have been granted legal authorization to work in the US and are currently working. To apply for an SSN, F-1 students must submit a completed Form SS-5, Social Security Card Application, and provide proof of their work authorization.

The first step is to obtain valid employment authorization. This can be done through one of the following routes:

• On-Campus Employment: F-1 students must obtain a letter from their department confirming that they have been offered an on-campus job. The letter must be printed on department letterhead, include specific information such as the job title, and be signed by the hiring department.
• Optional Practical Training or other off-campus employment: F-1 students must obtain a valid, unexpired Employment Authorization (EAD) card from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, authorizing them to work under specific categories such as optional practical training or severe economic hardship employment.

Once F-1 students have obtained the required employment authorization, they can proceed with the Form SS-5 application process. This form can be completed and submitted online. After submitting the form, students should visit their nearest Social Security Administration card center and bring the required documents, including:

• An unexpired passport that is valid for at least six months into the future.
• Original OGS on-campus employment verification letter, which can be picked up at the Student Link Center or shipped by OGS.
• Two most recent paycheck stubs, if applicable.

It is important to note that SSN applications will not be accepted if there are fewer than 14 days before the end of an individual's work authorization. Additionally, having an SSN does not grant legal authorization to work in the US, but it is required if an individual has been authorized to work.

F-1 students must have valid employment authorization to apply for an SSN

F-1 students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) but they must have valid employment authorization. This is because SSNs are issued only to those who are employed or have tax-reporting requirements. While having an SSN does not grant legal authorization to work in the US, if you have been granted authorization and are working, you are required to obtain an SSN.

There are several ways in which F-1 students can obtain valid employment authorization. The first is to obtain a valid, unexpired Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services authorizing you to work under F-1 optional practical training, international organization employment, or severe economic hardship employment. The second is to have an I-20 endorsed for Curricular Practical Training. The third is to be currently employed on campus or have a job offer to do so.

If you are an F-1 student with a job offer for on-campus employment, you must submit a request through your university's international office and attach a valid job offer letter. Your international student advisor will review the content of the letter and endorse the job offer letter if it meets the Social Security Administration's standards. An email will be sent to you when your letter is ready for collection. If your employment is based on curricular practical training, optional practical training, international organization employment, or severe economic hardship employment, you do not need an OISS letter.

Once you have obtained valid employment authorization, you can apply for an SSN. To do so, you must submit in person to the SSA a completed Form SS-5, Social Security Card Application, and the required documents, including your passport, to prove your identity, immigration status, and work eligibility.

SSNs are issued only to those who are employed and/or have tax reporting requirements

Social Security Numbers (SSNs) are issued to participants in the federal government's social security program, which provides retirement and disability benefits to workers and their families. F-1 Visa students are eligible for a Social Security Number only if they have a job lined up, even part-time, on-campus work. This is because SSNs are issued only to those who are employed and/or have tax reporting requirements.

To apply for an SSN as an international student, you must have a job offer and take all your documents to your local Social Security Administration office in person to file your application. A valid passport is required when applying for an SSN as a foreigner. You can start working without an SSN, but you must apply and obtain one within 90 days of starting your job.

If you are requesting an SSN based on on-campus employment, you must bring a letter from your college or university department to the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). The OISS will issue a second letter to confirm that you have secured on-campus employment and that you are a full-time student in good standing. An OISS letter is not required if your employment is based on curricular practical training, optional practical training, international organization employment, or severe economic hardship employment.

J-1 students are eligible to apply for an SSN with or without an employment offer. If you will need the SSN to work on campus, J-1 students will need proper authorization to work on campus from the Office of International Programs (OIP).

Frequently asked questions