Lana Oconnell
International students can work in the US without an SSN, but they must apply for one within 90 days of starting their job. An SSN is a Social Security Number, a 9-digit identifier issued by the US Social Security Administration (SSA). It is granted based on an individual's eligibility to work in the US, though possessing an SSN alone does not confer work authorization. International students need an SSN to report income and pay taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) while employed in the US. To apply for an SSN, international students must have a job lined up and take all their documents to their local Social Security Administration office in person.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply for an SSN? | F-1 or M-1 visa students, J-1 students, J-2 dependents with employment authorization |
| What is required to apply for an SSN? | A job, valid passport, work permit I-766, letter from sponsor, proof of identity, immigration status, work eligibility, employment verification letter |
| Where to apply for an SSN? | Local Social Security Administration office |
| When to apply for an SSN? | After getting a job offer, within 90 days of starting the job |
| Why is an SSN needed? | To report income and pay taxes to the IRS, to open bank accounts |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility requirements for international students
International students with F-1 or J-1 visa status can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). However, eligibility requirements must be met, and these vary depending on the student's immigration status.
For F-1 visa students, a work permit I-776 is required. Additionally, evidence of lawful F-1 employment, such as an on-campus job or authorization for curricular practical training (CPT) or optional practical training (OPT), must be provided. On-campus employment requires a letter from the department confirming the job offer. For CPT, an updated Form I-20 is needed to show authorization.
J-1 visa students must provide a letter from their sponsor, on sponsor letterhead with an original signature, authorizing their employment. 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. They must also show evidence of employment and be registered for a full course of study.
In general, international students must have a job or internship in the U.S. and obtain an employment verification letter from their institution to be eligible for an SSN. This includes confirmation of on-campus employment, CPT, or OPT.
To apply for an SSN, students must present their original, valid proof of age, identity, lawful resident status, and work eligibility to their local Social Security Administration office. This includes documents such as a passport, visa, and I-20 or DS-2019 form. It is important to note that simply having an SSN does not grant legal authorization to work in the U.S.
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Application process
International students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) if they are eligible to work in the United States. This includes students in F-1 or J-1 status, who can work on-campus or are authorised for curricular practical training (CPT) or optional practical training (OPT).
- Obtain evidence of employment eligibility: International students must have a job lined up or provide evidence of employment eligibility. For F-1 students, this could be an on-campus job or CPT or OPT authorisation. J-1 students must show evidence of employment and be registered for a full course of study. They must also obtain a letter from their sponsor authorising their employment on sponsor letterhead with an original signature.
- Complete the SS-5 application form: This is the standard application form for a Social Security Card, which can be found on the SSA website or picked up from a local Social Security office. International students should use the Form SS-5 FS variation.
- Gather original documents: Applicants must provide original documents proving their identity, age, and work-authorised immigration status (visa). A valid passport is essential. Depending on the situation, additional documents may be required.
- Submit the application: The application can be submitted online at www.ssa.gov/ssnumber or www.ssa.gov/number-card. An appointment can be scheduled online. Applicants must then present their original documents to their local Social Security Administration office within 45 days of the online submission.
- Review and approval: Once submitted, an SSA examiner will review the application and documents. After acceptance, applicants can request an application receipt to show their employer.
- Receive SSN: Applicants can expect to receive their SSN within 2-6 weeks, although processing times may vary. The SSN card will be mailed to the applicant once their documents have been verified.
It is important to note that international students can start working without an SSN but must apply and obtain one within 90 days of starting their job. Additionally, certain banks may require an SSN to open an account, but some accept only a passport and visa.
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Required documents
International students in the US with an F1 visa are allowed to work in the country, but only under certain conditions and in accordance with complex guidelines and restrictions issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).
To apply for a Social Security Number (SSN), you must have a job lined up. You can then take all your documents to your local Social Security Administration office in person to file your application. Here is a list of documents you may need when applying for an SSN as an international student:
- A valid passport is a must-have document when applying for an SSN as a foreigner.
- If you are an F-1 student and 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. This letter should be on sponsor letterhead with an original signature that authorizes your employment.
- If you are a J-1 student under the sponsorship of an external organization, such as IIE, LASPAU, or AMIDEAST, you should obtain a Social Security letter from your sponsor.
- If you are a J-1 student under the sponsorship of your university's J-1 exchange visitor program requesting an SSN based on on-campus employment, you must submit a letter from your affiliate 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.
- If you are an F-1 student, you 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 a J-1 student, you must show evidence of employment and be in valid J-1 status and be registered for a full course of study.
- Original documents proving your identity, immigration status, and work eligibility.
It is important to note that simply having an SSN does not grant you legal authorization to work in the US. If you have been granted legal authorization to work, you are required to apply for and obtain an SSN.
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Time taken to receive an SSN
International students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) as long as they have employment authorization to work in the US. This includes F-1, J-1, and M-1 visa students. Students must show proof of a job offer or employment eligibility, and they must complete the application for a Social Security card before visiting the local Social Security office.
The time taken to receive an SSN can vary. The Social Security Administration will mail the number and card as soon as all immigration information has been verified, which can take 2-4 weeks or more. However, it is recommended that students wait 2-3 weeks after arriving in the US before applying for an SSN, and they must apply within 90 days of starting their job. Processing times can vary from 4-6 weeks, although some sources state that it typically takes two to four weeks to process and issue an SSN.
Students can start the SSN application process online and then schedule an appointment to present their original proof of ID, age, and lawful resident status to their local SSA office within 45 days of the online submission.
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Importance of an SSN for international students
International students can and should apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) in the US. An SSN is a 9-digit identifier issued by the US Social Security Administration (SSA). It is granted based on an individual's eligibility to work in the US. While having an SSN does not authorise someone to work in the US, it is required by the US government for tax and employment reporting purposes.
International students need an SSN primarily to report income and pay taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) while employed in the US. It is also often used as a matter of convenience for other purposes unrelated to its official purpose, such as opening telephone, utility, or bank accounts.
To apply for an SSN, international students must have a job lined up, even if it is part-time, on-campus work. They will need to take all their documents to their local Social Security Administration office in person to file their application for an SSN card. This includes a valid passport, evidence of identity, immigration status, and work eligibility. 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. They must also provide a letter from their sponsor on letterhead with an original signature authorising their employment.
It typically takes two to four weeks to process and issue an SSN, so international students should initiate the SSN application process well before their intended job start date to ensure timely receipt.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can apply for an SSN.
You will need a job offer and a Social Security Number application. You must also prove your eligibility by providing documents such as a passport, visa, evidence of employment, and proof of identity.
You can apply online at www.ssa.gov/ssnumber or www.ssa.gov/number-card. After applying online, you must visit your local Social Security Administration office to show them your documents in person.
It typically takes two to four weeks to process and issue an SSN, but processing times vary.
