Janice Lozano
International students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) in the United States. The Social Security Administration (SSA) assigns nine-digit SSNs to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible nonimmigrant workers. International students with F-1 or M-1 visa status who have secured employment are eligible to apply for an SSN. To apply, students must submit their application in person at a Social Security Administration office and provide original documents verifying their identity, immigration status, and work eligibility. It is important to note that having an SSN does not grant legal authorization to work in the U.S., but it is required for employed individuals to report their earnings and for other identification purposes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply for an SSN? | Noncitizens who work or attend school in the US, or have a valid non-work reason |
| Who is eligible for an SSN? | F and M students with employment authorization |
| Where to apply? | Local Social Security Administration office |
| Application method | Online or in-person |
| Documents required | Passport, documents proving age, identity, immigration status, and work eligibility |
| Time taken | 4-6 weeks |
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What You'll Learn
- International students with F-1 or M-1 visas can apply for a social security number
- You need a job to apply for an SSN as an international student
- You can apply online and then submit documents at a Social Security office
- You must provide original documents to prove your identity, immigration status, and work eligibility
- SSNs are used for reporting wages, tracking benefits, and identification purposes
International students with F-1 or M-1 visas can apply for a social security number
To apply for an SSN as an international student, you must have a job lined up, even part-time, on-campus work makes you eligible. Once you have secured employment, you can submit a Social Security Letter Request to your school's Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) via their online portal. If your employment is based on practical training, international organization employment, or severe economic hardship employment, an OISS letter may not be required.
After receiving the letter from OISS, you will need to gather the necessary documents to prove your identity, immigration status, and work eligibility. These include your passport, evidence of employment, and any other relevant immigration paperwork. It is important to ensure that all your documents are valid and unexpired.
With your documents in hand, you can proceed to file your application for an SSN card in person at any SSA office. The SSA examiner will review your application, and once accepted, you will receive a receipt confirming your application. Typically, you can expect to receive your SSN within 4 to 6 weeks, although processing times may vary.
It is important to note that simply having an SSN does not grant you legal authorization to work in the U.S. However, if you have been authorized to work and are employed, you are required to apply for and obtain an SSN within 90 days of starting your job.
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You need a job to apply for an SSN as an international student
As an international student in the US, you need to have a job to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). An SSN is issued to track earnings over a worker's lifetime. While it is not a work permit, you must have authorization to work in the US and apply for an SSN when you get a job.
If you are an F-1 or M-1 visa student, you can apply for an SSN. You will need to have a job lined up, and even part-time, on-campus work makes you eligible. Once you have a job offer, you should apply for your SSN as soon as possible. You will need to take all your documents to your local Social Security Administration office in person to file your application. This includes your original documents to prove your age, identity, and work-authorized immigration status. A valid passport is a must-have when applying for an SSN as a foreigner.
If you are requesting an SSN based on on-campus employment, you must bring a letter from your department to your college's 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. If your employment is based on practical training, optional practical training, international organization employment, or severe economic hardship employment, an OISS letter is not required.
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. The Social Security Administration will mail your number and card as soon as all your immigration information has been verified, which can take 2-4 weeks or more.
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You can apply online and then submit documents at a Social Security office
International students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) in the US. The Social Security Administration (SSA) assigns nine-digit SSNs to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible nonimmigrant workers.
To apply for an SSN, international students must have a job lined up, and even part-time, on-campus work makes them eligible. The application process involves two steps: applying online and submitting documents in person at a Social Security office.
Firstly, students can initiate the application process by applying online. This step involves completing an online form with personal information.
Secondly, students must visit a local Social Security office to submit the required documentation. They should bring original documents that prove their identity, age, immigration status, and work-authorized status. A valid passport is a mandatory document for international students when applying for an SSN. Additionally, students may need to provide evidence of their employment or on-campus work authorization. All evidence of immigration status and work authorization must be unexpired.
It is important to note that students can start working without an SSN, but they must apply and obtain their SSN within 90 days of starting their job. The processing time for SSN applications can vary, but applicants can typically expect to receive their SSN within 4 to 6 weeks of submitting their application.
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You must provide original documents to prove your identity, immigration status, and work eligibility
International students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) in the US, but they must provide original documents to prove their identity, immigration status, and work eligibility. The Social Security Administration (SSA) assigns nine-digit SSNs to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible nonimmigrant workers.
To apply for an SSN, international students must visit a Social Security Administration office in person. They should bring their original documents, including a valid passport, to prove their identity, immigration status, and work eligibility. All evidence of immigration status and work authorization must be unexpired.
The SSA uses the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to verify the nonimmigrant student status of applicants and determine their eligibility for an SSN. Applicants can use the SAVE Case Check to follow the progress of their verification check online.
It is important to note that simply having an SSN does not grant legal authorization to work in the US. However, if an international student has been granted legal authorization to work and is employed, they are required to apply for and obtain an SSN within 90 days of starting their job.
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SSNs are used for reporting wages, tracking benefits, and identification purposes
Social Security Numbers (SSNs) are nine-digit identification numbers assigned by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible nonimmigrant workers in the United States. The SSA uses SSNs for reporting wages, tracking benefits, and identification purposes.
The original purpose of SSNs was to track individuals' earnings and income for Social Security entitlement and benefit computation purposes. Over time, the use of SSNs has expanded significantly, and they are now used as a de facto national identification number. The U.S. Armed Forces have used SSNs as identification numbers for personnel in various branches since the late 1960s and early 1970s. Additionally, the Internal Revenue Service requires all corporations to obtain SSNs from their employees for federal income tax purposes.
SSNs are also used to report employee earnings and track taxable scholarship benefits for students. While having an SSN is not a requirement for legal authorization to work in the U.S., individuals who are granted work authorization and are employed are required to apply for and obtain an SSN.
International students seeking to obtain an SSN must follow certain steps. They must first obtain valid and unexpired Employment Authorization (EAD) and then submit a Social Security Letter Request. The process may vary depending on the specific circumstances of the student, such as the type of employment and sponsorship. It is recommended that international students do not apply for an SSN more than 30 days before the start of their employment or authorization to avoid their application being rejected as too early.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can apply for an SSN.
You will need a job to apply for an SSN. Even part-time, on-campus work makes you eligible. You will also need to provide original documents proving your identity, immigration status, and work eligibility. A valid passport is required.
You can apply in person at any Social Security Administration (SSA) office.
The SSA recommends applying no more than 30 days before starting employment.
First, obtain employment authorization or a valid, unexpired Employment Authorization (EAD) card. Then, submit a Social Security Letter Request to the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) via TC-Compass. If your employment is based on practical training or economic hardship, an OISS letter may not be required. After your application is accepted, ask for a receipt to show your employer. You can expect to receive your SSN within 4-6 weeks.
