Lori Meadows
International students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) in the United States, but they must meet certain requirements. The Social Security Administration (SSA) assigns nine-digit SSNs to eligible nonimmigrant workers in the United States, and international students with appropriate visas and employment authorizations can apply for an SSN. The application process can be initiated online, but applicants must also present original documents, such as proof of identity, age, immigration status, and work eligibility, at a local SSA office. It is important to note that while an SSN is not required to start working, it is necessary for reporting wages and paying taxes. Therefore, international students should apply for their SSN promptly after securing employment or an internship in the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN)? | International students with F-1 or M-1 visa status and a job offer. |
| What is required to apply for an SSN? | Original documents proving identity, immigration status, and work eligibility. |
| Where to apply for an SSN? | Local Social Security Administration office or Social Security Card Center. |
| How to apply for an SSN? | Online application at www.ssa.gov/ssnumber or www.ssa.gov/number-card, followed by an in-person visit to submit documents. |
| When to apply for an SSN? | After securing a job or internship and obtaining an employment verification letter. |
| Why is an SSN needed? | To report income, pay taxes, and set up phone, utility, or bank accounts in the U.S. |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility requirements for international students
International students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN), but they must meet certain eligibility requirements. Firstly, they need to prove their identity, age, and lawful resident status. This includes providing valid immigration documents, such as a passport, visa, and an I-20 or DS-2019 form. 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, on the other hand, are required to show evidence of employment and must be registered for a full course of study. They may also need to obtain a Social Security letter from their sponsor.
Additionally, international students must have secured a job or internship in the U.S. to be eligible for an SSN. They will need an employment verification letter from their institution, which can include on-campus employment, CPT, or OPT. Students can start working without an SSN, but they must apply and obtain one within 90 days of starting their job. 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 tax and employment reporting purposes.
The application process for an SSN typically begins online, after which the student must present their original proof of ID, age, and lawful resident status, as well as any applicable letters from their employer and the Designated School Official (DSO), within 45 days. They will also need to visit their local Social Security office and submit the necessary documents, including their job offer letter, work authorization, and immigration documents. The entire process can take a few weeks, so students are advised to initiate the application well before their intended job start date.
While the Social Security Administration does not charge a fee for applying for an SSN, international students may encounter difficulties opening bank or other types of accounts without an SSN. In such cases, they can seek guidance from the Office of International Students and Scholars. It is important for students to carefully review the eligibility requirements and gather all the necessary documents before initiating the application process for an SSN.
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Documents required to apply
To apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) as an international student, you must be eligible to work in the United States. This means that you will need to have a job lined up, but even part-time, on-campus work makes you eligible.
You can apply for an SSN if you are an F-1 or M-1 visa student. If you are an F-1 student and eligible to work in curricular practical training, you must have your I-20 with the employment page completed and signed by your designated school official. If you have a work permit I-766, you must bring it. If you are a J-1 student, student intern, or international visitor, you must provide a letter from your sponsor. The letter should be on sponsor letterhead with an original signature that authorizes your employment.
You can apply for an SSN online at www.ssa.gov/ssnumber or www.ssa.gov/number-card. After applying online, you must present your original documents to your local Social Security Administration office within 45 days of your online submission. You will need to provide proof of your age, identity, and work-authorized immigration status. A valid passport is a must-have document when applying for an SSN as a foreigner. You will also need an employment verification letter from your institution.
If you are requesting an SSN based on on-campus employment, you must bring a letter from your department to the 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. An OISS letter is not required if your employment is based on curricular practical training, optional practical training, international organization employment, or severe economic hardship employment.
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How to apply
International students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) in the US, but they must be eligible to work. Students with F-1 or M-1 visa status are eligible to apply for an SSN. J-1 visa students are also eligible, but they must provide a letter from their sponsor.
To apply for an SSN, you must first verify that you are in Active status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Your SEVIS record must be in Active status for at least two days before applying for an SSN. You should also wait 10 days after arriving in the US before applying, to allow time for your arrival information to update in all government systems.
You can then begin the application process online at www.ssa.gov/ssnumber or www.ssa.gov/number-card. You will need to present your original documents, including proof of age, identity, and lawful resident status, within 45 days of your online submission. You will also need to provide letters from your DSO and employer, if applicable.
After completing the online application, you must visit your nearest Social Security office in person to file your application for an SSN card. You should bring all your original documents, including a valid passport, to prove your identity, immigration status, and work eligibility.
You can expect to receive your SSN within 2-6 weeks, although processing times vary.
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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 (SSA) office in the US. The SSA manages the Social Security program outside the US and implements the benefit provisions of international agreements. There are no Social Security offices outside the US, so embassies and consulates provide assistance to those living outside the country.
Before applying, students must wait at least 2-3 weeks from their arrival in the US and obtain valid employment authorization. Students can apply for on-campus work authorization by submitting an "On-campus Employment" request through MyISSS. They must then bring their department letter to the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS), which will issue a second letter confirming their employment and student status.
Students can then visit a Social Security Card Center, open Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, to apply for their SSN. They should bring the following documents:
- ISS On-Campus Employment Authorization/SSN Eligibility Letter
- I-94 card or copy of the J-1 admission stamp in their passport, along with a printout of their electronic I-94 information
- Employment offer letter from the department/hiring office
- Documentation for employment authorization from their ISS adviser or sponsoring agency
- If engaged in CPT, the I-20 form must have an authorization printed on page 3
- If engaged in OPT, an unexpired Employment Authorization (EAD) card
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How long it takes to receive a social security number
International students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) as long as they have a job lined up, even if it is part-time or on-campus work. To apply, they will need to take all their documents to their local Social Security Administration office in person. The required documents include a valid passport, as well as proof of identity, age, and lawful resident status. Depending on the situation, they may also need to provide an employment verification letter from their institution, and proof of work eligibility.
It typically takes two to four weeks to process and issue an SSN. However, it is recommended that students wait two to three weeks after arriving in the US before applying. This means that the entire process, from arrival in the US to receiving an SSN, can take around one to two months.
Students can start working without an SSN, but they must apply and obtain one within 90 days of starting their job. The Social Security Administration will mail the SSN and card as soon as all of the applicant's immigration information has been verified.
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Frequently asked questions
International students can apply for an SSN by following these steps:
- Verify your Active status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
- Wait 10 days after arriving in the US before applying for an SSN.
- Apply online at www.ssa.gov/ssnumber or www.ssa.gov/number-card.
- Schedule an appointment and present your original documents (proof of ID, age, immigration status, work eligibility, etc.) at your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office within 45 days.
The documents required to apply for an SSN as an international student include:
- Valid passport.
- Proof of ID, age, and lawful resident status.
- Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or work permit.
- Letter from your sponsor (for J-1 students).
- Employment verification letter from your institution.
International students should initiate the SSN application process as soon as they secure a job or internship in the US. It typically takes around two to six weeks to process and issue an SSN, so it is recommended to start the process well before the intended job start date.
