Ibrahim Gardner
International students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) in the US, but they must meet certain requirements. Students must prove their identity, immigration status, and work eligibility, and they must have a job lined up or a taxable scholarship. The application process involves submitting Form SS-5 and relevant documentation to a local Social Security Administration office, and the Social Security Administration will mail the student their number and card once their immigration information has been verified.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | F-1 or M-1 visa student status, J-1 visa student status with sponsorship, proof of employment authorization, proof of job offer/employment eligibility |
| Required Documents | Valid passport, original documents proving identity, immigration status, and work eligibility, Form SS-5, Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status or (DSO) letter, I-94 card or copy of J-1 admission stamp and printout of electronic I-94 information, employment offer letter |
| Application Process | Submit application in person at a local Social Security Administration office or Social Security Card Center, receive application receipt, expect SSN within 4-6 weeks |
| Additional Information | Social Security Number is not required for non-work purposes, card can be replaced for free if lost or stolen if eligibility requirements are met |
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Eligibility requirements
F-1 students 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). If you are an F-1 dependent or in F-1 status and do not have lawful F-1 employment, you are ineligible to apply for an SSN.
J-1 students are required to show evidence of employment and must be in valid J-1 status and be registered for a full course of study. J-1 students under the sponsorship of an external organization such as IIE, LASPAU, or AMIDEAST should obtain a Social Security letter from their sponsor. J-2 dependents with employment authorization will need to have the above documents plus their EAD card to apply for an SSN.
To apply for an SSN, you must first obtain valid employment authorization. This can include on-campus employment, for which you will need a letter from your department confirming that you have been offered an on-campus job. The employment letter must be printed on department letterhead, signed in the original by your hiring department, and include your job title.
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Necessary documents
International students must provide the following documents to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) in the United States:
- Valid immigration documents, including a valid passport, valid I-20 or DS-2019, and an I-94 card or electronic I-94 notated "F-1 D/S" or "J-1 D/S."
- Evidence of lawful employment, such as an on-campus job offer letter or authorization for curricular practical training (CPT) or optional practical training (OPT).
- For J-1 students under the sponsorship of an external organization, a Social Security letter from the sponsor is required.
- For F-1 students, evidence of lawful F-1 employment is required, such as an on-campus job or authorization for CPT or OPT.
- For J-2 dependents with employment authorization, the above documents plus their EAD card are needed.
- If engaged in CPT, the I-20 form must have authorization for CPT printed on page 3.
- If engaged in OPT, an unexpired Employment Authorization (EAD) card must be presented.
It is important to note that simply having a Social Security Number does not grant legal authorization to work in the U.S. However, if you have been granted legal authorization to work, you are required to apply for and obtain an SSN. Additionally, new students should wait at least 2-3 weeks after arriving in the U.S. before applying for an SSN.
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Where to apply
International students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) in person at their local Social Security Administration office. This can be a Social Security Card Center or a general Social Security Administration office.
Social Security Card Centers can be found in Manhattan (123 William Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10038) and the Bronx (820 Concourse Village West, 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10451). These offices are open Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
If you live in Staten Island, New Jersey, Connecticut, or another area, you can apply at your local Social Security Administration office or at one of the Social Security Card Centers listed above.
Before visiting a Social Security Administration office, you must complete the application for a Social Security card. This can be done using Form SS-5 FS, a variation of Form SS-5 specifically for international students. You will also need to gather the relevant documentation, including original documents proving your identity, immigration status, and work eligibility. This includes a valid passport, evidence of employment, and valid F-1 employment authorization.
If you are a J-1 student, you will need to provide evidence of employment and valid J-1 status, as well as registration for a full course of study. J-1 students under the sponsorship of an external organization should obtain a Social Security letter from their sponsor.
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What to expect
International students can expect to be eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN) only if they have a job or taxable scholarship. This is because SSNs are used to track earnings and benefits. Students in F-1 and J-1 status are only eligible for an SSN if they have a job, according to U.S. law. F-1 students must also 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 are required to show evidence of employment and must be in valid J-1 status and be registered for a full course of study.
International students can expect to apply for an SSN in person at a local Social Security Administration office. They will need to bring certain documents with them, including an ISS On-Campus Employment Authorization/SSN Eligibility Letter, an I-94 card, or a copy of their J-1 admission stamp in their passport and a printout of their electronic I-94 information. They will also need an employment offer letter from their department/hiring office and documentation for employment authorization from their ISS adviser or sponsoring agency.
Students can expect to complete the social security application online and then visit their local SSA office to show their documents in person. They should apply no earlier than 30 days before their scheduled employment start date. They can also expect to receive their SSN within 4-6 weeks, although processing times may vary.
It's important to note that simply having an SSN does not grant legal authorization to work in the U.S. However, if you have been granted legal authorization to work and are working, you are required to apply for and obtain an SSN.
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Timeline
To apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) as an international student, you must follow a specific timeline to ensure you meet all the requirements and receive your SSN without delays. Here is a detailed timeline to guide you through the process:
Before Arrival in the US:
- Ensure you have a valid passport, as this is a must-have document when applying for an SSN.
- If you are an F-1 student, confirm your eligibility for F-1 employment. Obtain evidence of lawful F-1 employment, such as an on-campus job offer or authorization for curricular practical training (CPT) or optional practical training (OPT).
- If you are a J-1 student, ensure you have evidence of employment and are in valid J-1 status, registered for a full course of study. If you are sponsored by an external organization, obtain a Social Security letter from your sponsor.
Within 2-3 Weeks of Arriving in the US:
- Wait for at least two to three weeks after your arrival in the US before initiating the SSN application process.
- During this time, if you are employed on campus, obtain a campus employment letter from your hiring department.
- If you are an F-1 student authorized for Curricular Practical Training (CPT), gather the required documents, including Form I-20 with the completed employment page and the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. Ensure that all documents are originals or copies certified by the issuing agency.
- If you are a J-1 student, obtain your I-94 card or a copy of your J-1 admission stamp in your passport, along with a printout of your electronic I-94 information from the USCBP I-94 website.
Applying for SSN:
- After gathering all the required documents, you are now ready to apply for your SSN. Submit your application at a local Social Security Administration office near your place of residence or at a Social Security Card Center.
- When submitting your application, a Social Security Administration (SSA) examiner will review your documents. Ensure you have proof of identity, immigration status, and work eligibility.
- Once your application is accepted, request an application receipt, which you can show to your employer as proof of your SSN application.
- You can expect to receive your SSN within four to six weeks, although processing times may vary. The SSA will mail your number and card once all your immigration information has been verified.
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Frequently asked questions
You must apply in person at a local Social Security Administration office. You will need to provide evidence of your identity, immigration status, and work eligibility. This includes a valid passport and proof of employment.
You must be eligible to work in the US and have proof of a job offer/employment eligibility. F-1 students must also provide evidence of lawful F-1 employment, such as an on-campus job. J-1 students must show evidence of employment and be in valid J-1 status.
You will need a valid passport, proof of employment, and evidence of your identity and immigration status. If you are an F-1 student, you will also need Form I-20 and a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. J-1 students may need a Social Security letter from their sponsor.
There are several Social Security Card Centers across the US, including in Manhattan and the Bronx. You can also apply at a local office near your place of residence.
It can take between 2 to 6 weeks to receive your SSN, although processing times may vary. You can expect to receive your SSN by mail once all your immigration information has been verified.
