Lana Oconnell
International students in the US can work without a Social Security Number (SSN), but they must have authorization and will need to apply for an SSN as soon as possible after starting a job. An 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 work permit, international students need an SSN to report income and pay taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) while employed in the US.
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What You'll Learn
International students can work without an SSN
International students can work without a Social Security Number (SSN). However, they will need to apply for one within 90 days of starting their job. To apply for an SSN, international students must have a job lined up, and even part-time, on-campus work makes them eligible. They will need to take their original documents, such as a valid passport, to prove their identity, immigration status, and work eligibility to their local Social Security Administration office in person.
International students with F-1 or J-1 visa status who are being paid by their university are advised to apply for an SSN as soon as possible. The application process can take 3 to 6 weeks, but it only needs to be done once. If an international student does not have an on-campus job and does not plan to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) soon, they may not be eligible for an SSN. In this case, they can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for tax purposes.
To obtain an SSN, international students must submit a Social Security Letter Request and have evidence of authorized on-campus or off-campus employment. They will also need to apply for work authorization by submitting an "On-campus Employment" request. Once their application is accepted, they can expect to receive their SSN within 4-6 weeks, although processing times may vary.
It is important to note that an SSN is not a work permit, and having an SSN is not required to obtain a driver's license, cell phone, credit card, insurance, or admission to an academic institution.
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To get an SSN, you must have a job
International students can work without an SSN, but they will need to apply for one if they intend to work in the long term. An SSN is issued to track earnings over a worker's lifetime and is necessary for employers to report employee wages to the IRS. It is also used for background checks and to open bank accounts, get a driver's license, and apply for federal loans.
If you are an international student, you must have evidence of authorized on-campus or off-campus employment to apply for an SSN. You will also need to submit a Social Security Letter Request and, if your employment is based on campus, you must bring a department letter from your college. The college will then issue a second letter to confirm your employment and student status.
It is important to note that, while an employer can ask for your SSN, you are not obligated to provide it during the application process. Many job seekers are wary of providing their SSN due to the risk of identity theft. It is also important to remember that employers must follow the correct procedure when hiring workers without an SSN, as there can be legal implications if they do not.
There are some jobs that do not require an SSN, such as freelance work or independent contracting. In these cases, individuals can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for tax purposes.
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The process of applying for an SSN
International students on F1 and J1 visas can obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) if they have employment. This can include Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which is work related to your field of study, or Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows students to work in the US for up to 12 months after completing their degree, or an additional 24 months if they have a STEM degree.
- Obtain Employment Verification: Before applying for an SSN, international students must first secure a job or internship in the US and obtain an employment verification letter from their institution. This letter should cover the type of employment, such as on-campus employment, CPT, or OPT.
- Submit a Social Security Letter Request: After receiving the employment verification letter, students should submit a Social Security Letter Request. If the employment is based on CPT, OPT, international organization employment, or severe economic hardship employment, an additional letter from the institution may not be required.
- Gather Required Documents: To apply for an SSN, students will need to present original proof of identification, age, and lawful resident status. This typically includes a passport, I-20 Form (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status), I-94 Form (arrival and departure information), and an offer letter with specific details about the job.
- Apply Online or In-Person: The application process can be initiated online at www.ssa.gov/ssnumber or www.ssa.gov/number-card. However, students will still need to visit a local Social Security Administration office or Social Security Card Center in person to complete the application process and submit their documents.
- Receive SSN: Once the application is accepted, students should request an application receipt, which can be shown to employers as proof of their SSN application. The SSN will typically be mailed to the applicant within 2 to 6 weeks, although processing times may vary.
It is important to note that an SSN is not required to start working, but it is necessary for tax purposes and setting up certain accounts in the US. Additionally, students should initiate the SSN application process promptly after receiving a job offer to ensure timely receipt of their SSN before their intended job start date.
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The documents required for an SSN application
International students can work without an SSN, but they must have authorization to work in the US and must apply for an SSN if they are working. An SSN is issued to track earnings over a worker's lifetime.
- A completed Online Social Security Number Application form.
- Evidence of authorization to work in the US, such as an Employment Authorization (EAD) card.
- A Social Security Letter Request.
- A letter from the relevant department confirming on-campus employment and full-time student status.
- A foreign birth certificate, or, if this is unavailable, a passport or DHS-issued document.
- Name, date of birth, parent's names, country of birth, and gender.
- Immigration information, such as an immigration document.
You may not need to visit a Social Security office or Social Security Card Center if you apply using Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) or Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). If your application is approved, USCIS will collect the necessary information on behalf of the SSA to process the SSN card.
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The time taken to receive an SSN
The time taken to receive a Social Security Number (SSN) varies, but it typically takes around two to four weeks for the application to be processed and the number to be issued. Some sources state that it can take up to six weeks to receive an SSN. It's important to note that processing times may vary.
New international students are advised to wait at least two to three weeks after arriving in the US before requesting an SSN. This allows time for the necessary employment authorization and confirmation to be obtained.
Once an international student has secured a job or internship in the US and obtained an employment verification letter from their institution, they can initiate the SSN application process. The application can be started online, and the applicant must present their original proof of ID, age, and lawful resident status, as well as any necessary letters from their institution and employer.
After submitting the application, it will be reviewed by a Social Security Administration (SSA) examiner. Once the application is accepted, the applicant can request an application receipt, which can be shown to employers as proof that they have applied for an SSN. The SSA will then mail the SSN and card to the applicant as soon as all their immigration information has been verified.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you can start working without an SSN as long as you have authorization, but you must apply for an SSN within 90 days of starting your job.
You can get authorization for on-campus work, CPT, or OPT. For on-campus work, you need to apply for work authorization by submitting an "On-campus Employment" request. For off-campus employment, you need a valid, unexpired Employment Authorization (EAD) card from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
You can apply for an SSN online or in person at a local Social Security Administration office. You will need to provide original documents proving your identity, immigration status, and work eligibility.
If you are having issues opening accounts due to a lack of an SSN, you should consult the Office of International Students and Scholars for guidance.
