Douglas Olsen
International students in the US can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) to report their income and pay taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). To be eligible for an SSN, students must have a job or internship in the US and obtain an employment verification letter from their institution. The application process can be started online, and students must present their original proof of ID, age, and lawful resident status, along with any relevant letters from the institution's DSO and employer. While an SSN is not required for certain activities like obtaining a driver's license or opening a bank account, it is often used for convenience in such cases.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply? | F-1 or M-1 visa students |
| Requirements | A job offer or employment authorization, passport, proof of ID, age, and lawful resident status |
| Application process | Online or in-person at a local Social Security Administration office |
| Time taken | 2-6 weeks |
| Purpose | To report income and pay taxes to the IRS |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility requirements for F-1 and M-1 visa students
To be eligible for an F-1 or M-1 visa as an international student, you must meet several requirements. Firstly, you must be enrolled in an academic, language-training, or vocational program. Your chosen school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program, Immigration & Customs Enforcement. Additionally, you must provide the necessary documentation, including the Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page, and proof of payment of the application fee. A photo that meets the specified requirements must be uploaded during the online application process, and you may need to bring additional printed photos to your interview.
Another crucial document is the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (Form I-20), which your school will send to you once they have entered your information into the SEVIS database. Both you and a school official must sign this form. All students must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS). If you intend to bring your spouse or minor children to live with you in the United States, they will each need their own Form I-20.
It is important to note that students on F or M visas are not permitted to enter the United States earlier than 30 days before the start date of their program. Additionally, visa applicants should expect an interview, which they must schedule at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, preferably in the country where they live. Wait times for these interviews vary, so early application is recommended.
F-1 students are not allowed to work off-campus during their first academic year but may accept on-campus employment with certain restrictions. After the first year, they may engage in off-campus employment, including through Optional Practical Training (OPT), which must be directly related to their area of study. M-1 students, on the other hand, may only engage in practical training after they have completed their studies, and this training must also be related to their field of study.
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Documents required for the application
As an international student, you must have employment authorization to work in the US to be eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN). You must also show proof of a job offer or employment eligibility.
The documents you will need to provide depend on your visa status.
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). You will need to fill out Form I-20 and ensure that the employment page is complete. You will also need a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status or a DSO letter.
If you are a J-1 student, you must provide evidence of employment and be in valid J-1 status, registered for a full course of study, and have a Social Security letter from your sponsor. This letter should be on sponsor letterhead with an original signature that authorizes your employment. If you are a J-1 student under the sponsorship of an external organization such as IIE, LASPAU, or AMIDEAST, you should obtain a Social Security letter from your sponsor.
In addition to the above, you will need to fill out Form SS-5, which is the standard application form used by US citizens and non-citizens eligible to apply for a Social Security Card. Form SS-5 FS is a variation of Form SS-5 specifically for international students. You will also need to provide original documents proving your identity, age, and work-authorized immigration status (your visa). A valid passport is essential when applying for an SSN as a foreigner.
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Online application process
International students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) online. This nine-digit identifier is issued by the US Social Security Administration (SSA) and is based on an individual's eligibility to work in the US. It is important to note that having an SSN does not grant legal authorization to work in the US.
To apply for an SSN online, you must first have employment authorization to work in the US. 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). J-1 students must provide a letter from their sponsor, which should be on sponsor letterhead with an original signature authorizing their employment.
Once you have obtained employment authorization, you can initiate the online application process by entering your details at www.ssa.gov/number-card. You can use the online application to schedule an appointment, and you will not need to submit a paper Social Security Card Application.
Within 45 days of your online submission, you must present your original, current proof of age, identity, and lawful resident status to your local SSA office. After 45 days, the entered information will be purged. You should also bring any other relevant documents, such as school-issued letters, your I-20 form, and your Employment Authorization (EAD) card.
After submitting your application, your documents will be reviewed by an SSA examiner. You can expect to receive your SSN within 2-6 weeks, although processing times may vary.
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In-person application process
International students can apply for an SSN in person at their local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. However, it is important to note that eligibility for an SSN is dependent on the applicant's eligibility to work in the United States.
To apply for an SSN in person, students must first complete the social security application online. This can be done by filling in Form SS-5, which is the standard application form used by US citizens and non-citizens eligible to apply for a Social Security Card. Form SS-5 FS is a variation of Form SS-5 that international students use to apply for an SSN.
After completing the online application, students must visit their local SSA office to show their documents in person. It is important to note that students have 45 calendar days from the date of completing their online application to visit the SSA office. When visiting the SSA office, students must carry the original documents and not copies, as the SSA office does not accept copies. The required documents include:
- A valid passport, which serves as the primary identification document.
- Evidence of employment, such as an on-campus job or authorization for curricular practical training (CPT) or optional practical training (OPT). F-1 students must provide evidence of lawful F-1 employment, while J-1 students must show evidence of employment and valid J-1 status.
- ISS On-Campus Employment Authorization/SSN Eligibility Letter.
- I-94 card or a copy of the J-1 admission stamp in the passport and a printout of the electronic I-94 information, which can be obtained from the USCBP I-94 website.
- An employment offer letter from the department or hiring office.
Once the application and documents are submitted, they will be reviewed by an SSA examiner. After the application is accepted, students can request an application receipt to show their employer that they have applied for an SSN. The SSA will then mail the SSN and card once all immigration information has been verified, which can take 2-4 weeks or more. The expected time to receive an SSN is within 4-6 weeks, although processing times may vary.
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Uses of an SSN
International students can apply for an SSN, or Social Security Number, if they have a job lined up—even part-time, on-campus work counts. The application process involves submitting a range of documents to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
An SSN has a variety of uses in the USA, some of which are unrelated to its official purpose. Here are some of the ways in which an SSN is used:
- Reporting earnings: SSNs are used to report an employee's earnings, as well as a student's taxable scholarship benefits.
- Identification: SSNs are often used as a form of identification. They were originally used to identify individuals for federal government agencies in 1943. However, due to concerns about identity theft, the use of SSNs as a form of ID is now restricted.
- Financial activities: SSNs are often required to engage in financial activities, such as opening bank accounts, credit cards, and loans. This is because financial institutions assume that only the person the SSN was issued to knows the number.
- Tax reporting: SSNs are used for tax reporting purposes by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). They are also used to compute financial benefits, such as retirement income, disability income, or health insurance.
- Other uses: SSNs can also be used for a range of other purposes, such as opening telephone or utility accounts.
It is important to note that having an SSN does not grant legal authorization to work in the USA, but if you have been authorized to work, you are required to apply for an SSN.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you need to have a job lined up to apply for an SSN as an international student. Even part-time, on-campus work makes you eligible. However, you can start working without an SSN as long as you have authorization, but you must apply and get an SSN within 90 days of starting your job.
You will need to present your original proof of ID, age, and lawful resident status, as well as any school-issued letters. If you are an F-1 student, you must also provide evidence of lawful F-1 employment, such as an on-campus job or authorization for CPT or OPT. J-1 students must provide a letter from their sponsor.
You can start the application process online at www.ssa.gov/ssnumber or www.ssa.gov/number-card. After submitting your application, you must present your documents to your local Social Security Administration office in person.
