
Students at Georgetown University who are in legal F-1 and J-1 status and authorized to work are eligible to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) and receive a Social Security Card. Non-U.S. citizens may obtain an SSN if they have permission to work in the United States or if an SSN is required by a government agency. To apply for an SSN, students must bring the necessary original documents to their local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. Georgetown University has a policy in place to comply with federal laws regarding the use and retention of SSNs, and the University community is required to eliminate the use of SSNs as the primary record key in University systems, except where required by law or permitted by the University.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply? | Non-U.S. citizens with permission to work in the U.S. or if an SSN is required by a federal, state, or local government agency |
| When to apply | Up to 30 days before the employment start date |
| Application method | Online via the U.S. Social Security Administration website, followed by an in-person visit to an SSA Office |
| Documents required | Original documents such as Form I-20 with CPT Authorization, OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD), J-1 On-Campus Employment Authorization Form, etc. |
| Processing time | Approximately two weeks |
| Receipt of application | Provided immediately and can be used to begin work while the application is pending |
| Receipt of SSN card | Mailed to the U.S. address listed on the application form within a few weeks |
| Post-receipt steps | Present the physical card to the HR I-9 Analyst and add the SSN to the OCFO Glacier account for non-resident tax withholding |
| Name mismatch | If names on documents don't match due to character limits, ask to speak to a supervisor and submit documents for manual verification |
| Ineligibility | Non-U.S. citizens ineligible for SSN but required to file U.S. tax returns should apply for an ITIN |
| University policy | Georgetown University aims to comply with federal laws regarding the use and retention of SSNs and eliminate their use as the primary record key |
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What You'll Learn
- International students with F-1 or J-1 status can apply for an SSN
- Students must have proof of employment and US work authorization
- The application can be initiated online and then submitted in person
- The SSN card is received via mail within 7-14 business days
- Non-US citizens ineligible for SSN but required to file US tax returns should apply for an ITIN

International students with F-1 or J-1 status can apply for an SSN
International students with F-1 or J-1 status at Georgetown University can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) and receive a Social Security Card. To do this, students must be authorized to work and have the necessary documentation.
F-1 students are authorized to work as Georgetown University student employees from 30 days before their Form I-20 program start date until their Form I-20 program end date or SEVIS termination date. F-1 students can apply for the SSN up to 30 days before their employment start date.
J-1 students must obtain authorization from OGS before working as Georgetown student employees.
To apply for an SSN, students must bring the following original documents to their local Social Security Administration (SSA) office:
- F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Form I-20 with CPT Authorization
- F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT): OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
- J-1 On-Campus Employment: J-1 On-Campus Employment Authorization Form
It is recommended to type out the Social Security Card Application before printing and signing it. Students can apply up to 30 days before their on-campus employment start date.
The SSA will provide a same-day receipt of the application, and the SSN card will be mailed to the student's U.S. address within a few weeks. Students must then present the card in person to the HR I-9 Analyst and add their SSN to their OCFO Glacier account for nonresident tax withholding.
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Students must have proof of employment and US work authorization
To obtain an SSN, non-US citizens must have permission to work in the United States. This means that students must provide proof of employment and US work authorization.
If you are an F-1 student at Georgetown University, you are authorized to work on campus from 30 days before your Form I-20 program start date until your Form I-20 program end date or SEVIS termination date. You must not exceed 20 hours of employment and training per week during required academic terms. This part-time limit includes any paid and unpaid non-Georgetown roles, which all require separate F-1 authorization. You may work full-time on campus during official university breaks, such as Winter Break, Spring Break, and summer vacation, unless your program requires summer study.
To apply for an SSN, you must bring the following original documents to your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office:
- F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Form I-20 with CPT Authorization
- F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT): OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
- J-1 Academic Training (AT): Form DS-2019
- J-1 On-Campus Employment: J-1 On-Campus Employment Authorization Form
You can apply up to 30 days before your on-campus employment start date. It is recommended to type out the Social Security Card Application before printing and signing it. Once you have applied, it typically takes the SSA 7-10 business days to verify your information. They will then mail you the Social Security Card. You will be given a receipt of application that may be used to begin work while the application is pending.
If you are an Afghan national paroled into the United States, you will need an SSN to work. You are encouraged to apply for an SSN using Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. If you do not request an SSN in Part 2 (Items 14-17.b) of your Form I-765, you must make an appointment to visit a Social Security Administration office in person to apply for your SSN after you receive your Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766).
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The application can be initiated online and then submitted in person
To obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) as a Georgetown University student, you must be a non-US citizen with permission to work in the United States. The first step is to gather the necessary documentation. This includes proof of employment and US work authorization, which may vary depending on your student status (F-1 or J-1) and employment type (on-campus or off-campus).
Once you have the required documents, you can initiate your SSN application online via the US Social Security Administration (SSA) website. However, before submitting the application, ensure that your SEVIS record is registered if you are in F-1 or J-1 status. Typically, the SEVIS record is registered after attending orientation.
After initiating the application online, you will need to submit it in person at an SSA Office. The Washington, DC, office location is recommended as the officers there are experienced in assisting F-1 and J-1 students. At the SSA Office, you will be given a receipt of application, which allows you to begin working while your SSN application is being processed. The entire process usually takes around 7-10 business days for verification, after which you will receive your SSN card via mail.
It is important to note that you must present the physical SSN card to the HR I-9 Analyst once you receive it. Additionally, if there are discrepancies in the names listed on your documents due to character limitations or other issues, do not allow the Social Security Officer to turn you away. Instead, request that they submit your documents to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for manual verification.
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The SSN card is received via mail within 7-14 business days
To obtain an SSN as a Georgetown University student, non-US citizens must have permission to work in the United States, or an SSN is required by a federal, state, or local government agency.
Active F-1 students may apply for an SSN up to 30 days before their employment start date. To apply, students must bring specific original documents to their local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. The SSA will provide a same-day receipt of application, and the SSN card will be received via USPS mail within 7-14 business days. Students must then present their card to the HR I-9 Analyst and add their SSN to their OCFO Glacier account for nonresident tax withholding.
If the name listed on your I-94 Record, Form DS-2019/Form I-20, or passport does not match, or if your name is too long for the SAVE system, the Social Security Officer will be unable to verify your identity using the online system. In this case, you should ask to speak to a supervisor, and they should submit your documents to DHS for manual verification.
It is important to note that the SSA will never demand immediate payment, threaten or intimidate people, or demand payment card details over the phone or by email. Always report suspected scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
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Non-US citizens ineligible for SSN but required to file US tax returns should apply for an ITIN
Obtaining an SSN as a Georgetown University Student
To obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) as a Georgetown University student, you must be eligible and provide the necessary documentation. F-1 and J-1 students who are authorized to work are eligible to apply for an SSN.
The required documents include:
- Form I-20 with CPT Authorization for F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD) for F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- J-1 On-Campus Employment Authorization Form for J-1 students
You can apply up to 30 days before your employment start date. The application can be initiated online via the U.S. Social Security Administration website, and then you must appear in person at an SSA Office.
Obtaining an ITIN as a Non-US Citizen
If you are a non-US citizen who is ineligible for an SSN but is required to file US tax returns, you should apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). An ITIN is a nine-digit number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to ensure that individuals without an SSN can still file tax returns and comply with US tax laws.
To apply for an ITIN, you can:
- Fill out Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and submit it with your tax return.
- Contact an IRS-authorized Certifying Acceptance Agent (CAA) to help with the application process and authenticate your documents.
- Make an appointment with the IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC), where staff can also authenticate your documents.
It is important to note that you cannot have both an ITIN and an SSN. If you obtain an SSN after receiving an ITIN, you must notify the IRS to combine your tax records and void your ITIN.
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Frequently asked questions
Students who are in legal F-1 and J-1 status and authorized to work are eligible to apply for an SSN.
To apply for an SSN, students must bring the following original documents to their local Social Security Administration (SSA) office:
- F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT): Form I-20 with CPT Authorization
- F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT): OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
- J-1 On-Campus Employment: J-1 On-Campus Employment Authorization Form
Students can apply up to 30 days before their on-campus employment start date.
If your name is too long or doesn't match across your documents, ask to speak to a supervisor. The Social Security Officer should submit your documents to DHS for manual verification.






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