Janice Lozano
International students in the US may need a Social Security Number (SSN) to report income and pay taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The process of obtaining an SSN varies depending on the student's visa status and whether they have secured employment. 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). J-1 students must show evidence of employment and be registered for a full course of study. The application process typically involves submitting Form SS-5 or Form SS-5 FS, along with original documents proving identity, age, and work-authorized immigration status.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Must be eligible to work in the U.S. |
| Application form | SS-5 |
| Application method | Online or in-person at a local Social Security Administration office |
| Documents required | Original documents proving identity, age, and work-authorized immigration status (visa), employment verification letter, passport, I-94 card, I-20 or DS-2019, I-94 notated "F-1 D/S" or "J-1 D/S", evidence of F-1 employment, on-campus employment letter |
| Processing time | 7-10 business days (for replacement cards) or 2-4 weeks |
| Cost | Free (for replacement cards) |
Explore related products
$85.72
What You'll Learn
Eligibility requirements for international students
International students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) by proving their eligibility to work in the United States. This eligibility is dependent on the visa status of the student.
F-1 visa status
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). An unexpired Employment Authorization (EAD) card is required for CPT or OPT. If an F-1 student does not have lawful employment, they are ineligible to apply for an SSN.
J-1 visa status
J-1 students are required to show evidence of employment and must be enrolled in a full course of study. They must be in valid J-1 status. J-1 students sponsored by an external organization should obtain a Social Security letter from their sponsor.
M-1 visa status
M-1 students must bring their I-20 form when applying for an SSN.
J-2 visa status
J-2 dependents with employment authorization will need their EAD card and the above-mentioned documents to apply for an SSN.
J-1 visa status (exchange visitor)
J-1 exchange visitors must bring their DS-2019 form when applying for an SSN.
General requirements
A valid passport is required when applying for an SSN as an international student. One of the following documents is also needed to prove status: I-551 Lawful Permanent Resident Card or Machine Readable Immigrant Visa.
It is important to note that the Social Security Administration (SSA) will not issue a Social Security Number before mailing the card. The usual processing time is 2-4 weeks, but it can take longer if additional security procedures are necessary.
Staying in the US: Options for International Students
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How to apply for an SSN card
To apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) as an international student, you must be eligible to work in the United States. Simply having an SSN does not grant you legal authorization to work in the US. However, if you have been granted authorization to work, you are required to apply for and obtain an SSN.
International students need to secure a job or internship in the US and obtain an employment verification letter from their institution before they can apply for an SSN. This includes on-campus employment, CPT, OPT, and, in rare cases, off-campus work authorization.
To apply for an SSN, you will need to complete Form SS-5, the standard application form used by US citizens and non-citizens eligible to apply for a Social Security Card. International students use Form SS-5 FS, a variation of Form SS-5. You can complete the application online and then take the completed form along with the necessary documents to your local Social Security office.
The documents you will need to submit depend on your work authorization in the US. In general, you will need to provide proof of identity, age, and work-authorized immigration status (your visa). This may include valid immigration documents such as a passport, I-20 or DS-2019, and an I-94 card. F-1 students must also provide evidence of lawful F-1 employment, such as an on-campus job offer letter. J-1 students must show evidence of employment and be registered for a full course of study.
It typically takes two to four weeks to process and issue an SSN, so international students should initiate the application process well before their intended job start date to ensure timely receipt.
International Students: Getting In-State Tuition
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Documents required for the application
To apply for an SSN as an international student in the US, you must first obtain valid employment authorization. The documents you will need to submit will depend on the work authorization you have in the US and your visa type. Here is a list of documents you may need to provide:
- A completed SSN application form (Form SS-5 or Form SS-5 FS for international students)
- Original documents proving your identity, age, and work-authorized immigration status (your visa)
- 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 employment and valid F-1 employment authorization (if you are in F-1 status)
- On-Campus Employment Letter from your campus hiring department or a letter confirming that you have been offered an on-campus job
- ISS On-Campus Employment Authorization/SSN Eligibility Letter
- Employment Offer Letter from your department/hiring office
- 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 authorizing your employment.
Please note that this list may not be exhaustive, and it is recommended to check with the Social Security Administration or your university's International Student Services for the most up-to-date and complete list of required documents.
Interns: Students or Employees?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![By Tom Clancy SSN (Reissue) [Mass Market Paperback]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Ex60a5-zL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Processing time for the SSN card
The processing time for an SSN card for international students in the US varies. Generally, it takes between 2 and 6 weeks for the Social Security Administration to issue an SSN card. However, this timeline can be affected by several factors, including the volume of applications being processed and the completeness of your application.
It is recommended that you initiate the process of obtaining your SSN card within the first 2 to 3 weeks of your arrival in the US. This allows time for you to gather the necessary documentation and complete any required steps, such as obtaining employment authorization or an SSN support letter from your university.
The Social Security Administration will review your application and verify your documentation. Once your application is accepted, you should request an application receipt, which can be useful to show your employer as proof that you have applied for an SSN. The SSA will mail your SSN card and number once all your immigration information has been verified.
It is important to note that simply having an SSN does not grant you legal authorization to work in the US. However, if you have been granted legal authorization to work and are employed, you are required to apply for and obtain an SSN.
If you are replacing a lost or stolen SSN card, the SSA will generally issue a replacement within 7 to 10 business days, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.
Affordable Canadian Colleges for International Students
You may want to see also
Explore related products
What to do if your SSN card is lost or stolen
If your Social Security card is lost or stolen, there are several steps you should take to protect yourself and replace the card. Firstly, it is important to note that you should not carry your Social Security card with you, as this increases the risk of losing it or having it stolen. Instead, memorise your Social Security number and keep the card stored securely at home, such as in a safe for important documents.
If your card is lost or stolen, you should consider placing a fraud alert or security freeze on your credit reports to protect yourself from identity theft. You can do this by contacting the credit bureaus and providing them with your basic information. You may also want to consider locking your credit reports for added security. Additionally, check your credit reports regularly for any signs of inaccurate or incomplete information, and notify the relevant lender or creditor if you notice anything suspicious.
To replace your lost or stolen Social Security card, you will need to provide documents proving your identity and age to your local Social Security office. You can print out an application form, fill it out, and then take it along with your documents to the office. Your new card will be mailed directly to you. Depending on your situation, you may also be able to apply for a replacement card online. You can also call the Social Security Administration to report the lost or stolen card.
It is important to note that if you do not currently have an on-campus job or off-campus training authorisation, the Social Security Administration will not issue a replacement card. However, you can still start working without an SSN as long as your employer follows the correct instructions.
International Students: Can I Go Home?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
You must first obtain valid employment authorization and then apply for an SSN. You can start the process online at www.ssa.gov/ssnumber and then present your original proof of ID, age, and lawful resident status, as well as the letters from the DSO and employer, if applicable, within 45 days.
You will need to complete Form SS-5 FS, a variation of the standard SS-5 form, and provide original documents proving your identity, age, and work-authorized immigration status (your visa).
It typically takes two to four weeks to process and issue an SSN, so make sure to initiate the application process well before your intended job start date.
