Janice Lozano
International students are eligible to receive a Social Security Number (SSN) in the United States if they have been granted authorization to work. The SSN is used to track earnings over a worker's lifetime and is not a work permit. International students can apply for an SSN by submitting a Social Security Letter Request and providing evidence of authorized on-campus or off-campus employment. The application process typically takes between 2 to 6 weeks, and the Social Security Administration will mail the SSN and card once all immigration information has been verified. It's important to note that having an SSN does not grant legal authorization to work, but it is required for those who have been authorized to work and are employed.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of a Social Security Number (SSN) | Tracking earnings over a worker's lifetime |
| SSN as a work permit | Not a work permit |
| SSN validity | Lifetime |
| SSN requirement for working in the U.S. | Yes, if eligible to work in the U.S. |
| SSN requirement for non-work purposes | Not required for a driver's license, cell phone, credit card, insurance, or academic admission |
| SSN application process | Apply online, then visit a local SSA office with documents |
| SSN application timing | No earlier than 30 days before the scheduled employment start date |
| SSN issuance criteria | On-campus or off-campus employment authorization |
| SSN replacement | Free if lost or stolen, provided eligibility criteria are met |
| SSN and work commencement | Can start working without an SSN if authorized for on-campus work, CPT, or OPT |
| SSN processing time | 4-6 weeks, but may vary |
| SSN and tax reporting | Required for tax reporting and reporting taxable scholarship benefits |
| SSN and non-official purposes | Often used for convenience in opening bank accounts, telephone accounts, or utility accounts |
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What You'll Learn
- International students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) at their local Social Security Administration office
- To apply for an SSN, international students must have evidence of authorised on-campus or off-campus employment
- An SSN is not required for a driver's license, phone, credit card, insurance, or academic admission
- International students can submit a Social Security Letter Request to their school's Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)
- An SSN is issued to track earnings over a worker's lifetime and is not a work permit
International students can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) at their local Social Security Administration office
To apply for an SSN, international students must first ensure they have valid employment authorization. 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 also show evidence of employment and be registered for a full course of study.
Once students have obtained the necessary employment authorization, they can complete the social security application online and then visit their local SSA office to show their documents in person. It is recommended that students do not apply for an SSN more than 30 days before their scheduled employment start date. When submitting their application, students should request an application receipt to show their employer that they have applied for an SSN. The Social Security Administration will mail the student's SSN and card once all immigration information has been verified, which can take between two and six weeks.
International students can apply for an SSN at various Social Security Card Centers, including the Manhattan Social Security Center in New York. Students should bring relevant documentation with them, including employment authorization and their passport. It is important to note that an SSN is not a work permit, and eligibility for an SSN is based on an individual's eligibility to work in the US.
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To apply for an SSN, international students must have evidence of authorised on-campus or off-campus employment
International students must meet certain requirements to be eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN). One of the most important requirements is having evidence of authorised on-campus or off-campus employment. This is because SSNs are issued only to those who are employed and/or have tax reporting requirements.
For on-campus employment, international students must obtain a letter from their college or university department confirming that they have been offered an on-campus job. This letter must be printed on department letterhead, signed by the hiring department, and include the student's job title. They must then submit a Social Security Letter Request to the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) via TC-Compass, after which the OISS will issue a second letter confirming their on-campus employment and full-time student status.
For off-campus employment, international students on an F-1 visa must provide evidence of lawful F-1 employment, such as authorisation for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). CPT is defined as employment based on academic internships, fieldwork, or practica. To obtain CPT authorisation, students must obtain an updated Form I-20 from their college or university showing that they have been authorised to engage in CPT. For OPT, students must obtain a valid, unexpired Employment Authorisation (EAD) card from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
It is important to note that having an SSN does not grant legal authorisation to work in the US. However, if an international student has been granted legal authorisation to work and is employed, they are required to apply for and obtain an SSN. The entire process, from submitting the application to receiving the SSN, can take around 4-6 weeks, although processing times may vary.
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An SSN is not required for a driver's license, phone, credit card, insurance, or academic admission
While a Social Security Number (SSN) is important for certain activities in the US, it is not a requirement for a driver's license, phone, credit card, insurance, or academic admission.
For those without an SSN, there are still options for credit cards. For example, the ANA Card USA Plus does not require an SSN (at least not initially). However, applicants may be asked to submit additional documentation to determine eligibility. Other cards, like the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express, require a security deposit instead of an SSN.
In terms of phone plans, prepaid accounts do not require an SSN. Post-paid accounts, on the other hand, often require an SSN because they involve extending credit. However, some providers, like T-Mobile, may not always need an SSN, especially if a deposit is paid and no credit check is required.
Obtaining a driver's license without an SSN is also possible in certain states. For example, New York allows applicants to establish their identity with other documents, such as a foreign passport, instead of an SSN.
Therefore, while an SSN may be beneficial or required for certain financial activities, it is not necessary for obtaining a driver's license, phone, credit card, insurance, or academic admission.
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International students can submit a Social Security Letter Request to their school's Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)
International students can submit a Social Security Letter Request to their schools' Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) via TC-Compass. This applies to students who are requesting a Social Security Number (SSN) based on on-campus employment. They must bring their TC or CU department letter to the OISS. The OISS will then issue a second letter to confirm that the student has secured on-campus employment and that they are a full-time student in good standing.
An OISS letter is not required if a student's employment is based on curricular practical training, optional practical training, international organization employment, or severe economic hardship employment. In these cases, students can proceed directly to visiting a Social Security Office to apply for an SSN. Social Security application forms are available at all Social Security offices, and there is no fee required.
It is important to note that a Social Security Number is not a work permit. While it is not required to obtain a driver's license, cell phone, credit card, insurance, admission to an academic institution, or for other "non-work" reasons, it is often used as a matter of convenience for these purposes. SSNs are issued only to those who are employed and/or have tax reporting requirements. If an international student is not eligible for an SSN but needs to file a tax return, they can obtain an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The OISS recommends that students do not apply for an SSN more than 30 days prior to the start of their on-campus employment, CPT authorization, or the beginning date of their EAD card. The Social Security Administration has rejected applications submitted more than 30 days before the start of employment as too early. Once a student's application is accepted, they should ask for an application receipt so that they can show their employer that they have applied for an SSN. The processing time for an SSN can vary, but it typically takes around 3-6 weeks.
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An SSN is issued to track earnings over a worker's lifetime and is not a work permit
Social Security Numbers (SSNs) were created in 1936 to track the earnings of U.S. workers over their lifetimes. This was to determine Social Security benefit entitlements and compute benefit levels. Since then, the use of the SSN has expanded, and it is now used as a universal identifier for individuals within the United States.
The SSN is not a work permit. It does not grant legal authorization to work in the U.S. However, if you are legally authorized to work in the U.S., you are required to apply for and obtain an SSN.
International students can apply for an SSN if they have evidence of authorized on-campus employment or off-campus employment. They must also be full-time students in good standing. The process for applying for an SSN as an international student typically involves submitting a Social Security Letter Request and obtaining employment authorization.
It is important to note that while an SSN is not required for certain activities, such as obtaining a driver's license, cell phone, credit card, or admission to an academic institution, it has become increasingly difficult to engage in some financial activities without one.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, if you have been granted legal authorization to work in the US, you are required to apply for and obtain an SSN.
First, complete the social security application online. Then, visit your local SSA office to show them your documents in person. You will need to provide evidence of your full-time student status, on-campus employment eligibility, and immigration information.
It can take 2-4 weeks or more to receive your SSN and card in the mail, but processing times vary. You can expect to receive your SSN within 4-6 weeks.
Yes, as long as you have authorization for on-campus work, CPT, or OPT, you can start working without an SSN. However, you must apply for an SSN as soon as possible after getting your job offer.
