The Social Security Number (SSN) is a nine digit unique identification number assigned by the U.S. Social Security Administration to monitor and tax wages earned by those who work in the United States. It is required for all individuals employed in the U.S., including international students, but it does not grant employment authorization. International students and scholars must follow the laws and regulations for their F or J class of admission.
In short, an SSN tracks earnings for workers in the U.S. 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.
Eligibility
To get an SSN as a international student with nonimmigrant status, you must be able to prove to the Social Security Administration that you:
- Are a full-time student,
- Are eligible to work in the U.S., and
- Have one of the following forms of employment or training:
- On-campus employment offer,
- Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization [for F-1 visa holders],
- Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization [for F-1 visa holders],
- Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) qualifying employment [for J-1 visa holders],
- Academic Training (AT) authorization [for J-1 visa holders], or
- Off-campus employment offer through:
- Severe Economic Hardship,
- Special Student Relief (SSR) due to emergent circumstances, or
- Internship with an International Organization through the International Organization Immunities Act.
Notes:
- Students cannot apply more than 30 days before their employment start date.
- To qualify for an SSN through CPT or OPT, employment must be off campus.
- OPT applicants can apply for a Social Security Number as a step in the OPT application (Form I-765: Application for Employment Authorization) instead of applying in person. We advise applying through the Form I-765.
- OPT students who did not apply through the Form I-765 cannot apply for an SSN until their employment start date.
F-2 Dependents do not qualify for a Social Security number as they are not permitted to work while in F-2 status.
J-1 Students and Scholars are eligible to obtain a social security number if they are in valid J-1 status with qualifying employment.
Any student or scholar who is eligible for a social security number must be physically present in the U.S. for at least 10 business days before applying in person at the Social Security Office. New students must have completed the immigration check-in process with the Principal Designated School Official or Responsible Officer and be registered in SEVIS. Students should talk with their international student advisor before applying for a social security number to ensure their record is Active in SEVIS. Once a record is activated in SEVIS, students should wait two weeks before applying for a SSN to ensure the relevant government database is current.
In order to apply for a Social Security Number, you must have a qualifying employment offer or federally-issued employment verification. Review Working in the United States for more information on F-1 regulations regarding employment. Once you receive your letter of offer, collect the appropriate employment verification to provide to the Social Security Administration. What you use for verification depends on the type of employment you’re pursuing:
| Qualifying Employment | Proof of Employment Authorization Documents |
|---|---|
| On-Campus Employment |
|
| Curricular Practical Training (CPT) |
|
| Optional Practical Training (OPT) | (See note above and follow the remaining steps only if applying in person and not through the Form I-765.)
|
| Off-Campus Employment with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) |
|
F-1/J-1 Applicants: How to Obtain Your SSN Support Letter
The SSN Support Letter from your Designated School Official or Responsible Officer. This will be used by the Social Security Administration to verify that your employment does not violate your nonimmigrant student status.
When submitting your request to the DSO/RO for this letter, provide:
- Letter of offer for your employment with job duties, expected work hours, and supervisor details.
- A summary of the following information:
- Job title
- Job duties
- Company’s name and address
- Supervisor’s name, title, phone number, and email address
- Starting date of employment
- Location of where the job duties will take place:
- if your position is on-campus, just state “on campus” as your location,
- if your position is on location at a non-HPU office, list the address of your office,
- if your position is virtual, provide your intended location to complete your virtual duties (e.g., on-campus or home address), or
- if your position is hybrid (some virtual and some on location), list the address of the office and the intended location where you’ll complete your virtual duties, then estimate how much of your duties will be completed virtually (e.g., 50% virtual).
IMPORTANT: New students and scholars should wait a minimum of 7-10 days after their initial SEVIS registration with the Office of Global Education before applying for a Social Security Number. See SAVE Program & SAVE Case Check below for more information.
You can apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) up to 45 days before your employment start date. You can plan to receive your Social Security Card approximately 14 days after you submit your materials to the Social Security Administration office.
Step 1: Complete the Online Application Form
To apply, complete the online Form SS-5: Application for Social Security Card. Be sure to read all instructions carefully.
You’ll be prompted to log in with your Login.gov or ID.me account. If you do not have one of these accounts, you’ll be prompted to create one before submitting your application.
- Login.gov is your one government account for simple, secure, and private access to participating government agencies. You can use your Login.gov account to access your Social Security benefit information, services, and other information. And you can use that same Login.gov account to manage other government benefits and services.
- ID.me is a single sign-on provider that also meets the U.S. government’s online identity proofing and authentication requirements. You can use one ID.me account to access government and private services.
You can read more information about Login.gov and ID.me on the Social Security Administration website.
Note regarding the Citizenship question: As a student or scholar with F-1 or J-1 status applying for a SSN with an on-campus job offer or with off-campus employment authorization (i.e., CPT, OPT, AT), you should select “legal alien allowed to work.”
Step 2: Make Your Appointment with SSA
You are not able to submit your supplementary materials online or via post, so you will need to appear in person to a Social Security Administration (SSA) Office to complete the application process. You should receive a prompt to schedule an appointment online when you are completing your online application form. If you are not able to make an appointment online or do not see this option when you submit your application, you can call 1-800-772-1213 to make an appointment at a local office or card center.
The three nearby offices are:
- Greensboro Office: 6005 Landmark Center Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27407
- Asheboro Office: 157 Dublin Square Rd, Asheboro, NC 27203
- Kernersville Office: 1370 Lockland Ave, Winston-Salem, NC 27103
You are not required to apply at an SSA office in the Piedmont Triad. You can choose any SSA office in the United States that has appointment availability for SSN applicants.
Step 3: Gather Your Materials
- Valid Passport & Visa Foil/Stamp. Note: Your photo ID must be at least one year old. If your passport is new, take another photo ID with you. If your F-1 visa is affixed to an expired passport, take both passports with you.
- Form I-20: Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status or Form DS-2019: Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status
- Form I-94: Arrival/Departure Record
- Verification of Employment (refer to the Employment Verification tab for more information)
Step 4: Attend Your Appointment at the SSA Office
On the day of your appointment, ensure you have ready all required materials and travel to the Social Security Administration office to submit your documentation to an SSA official.
Be sure to note which office you selected for your appointment and be sure to arrive early so you don’t miss your appointment time. Have all materials ready to submit to the SSA official. They should not keep your passport, Form I-20/Form DS-2019, or F-1/J-1 visa documents, but do plan for them to make copies of these documents.
You will not receive your Social Security Card at this appointment. They may provide you documentation about your pending SSN or card, but your official Social Security Card will be mailed to the address you provided in your application. The SSA notes that most applicants receive their card within two weeks.
SAVE Program & SAVE Case Check
The U.S. Government uses the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program to verify nonimmigrant status and determine eligibility for certain government benefits such as a driver’s license or Social Security number. In order to ensure the SAVE program reflects that you are an active F-1 or J-1 student or scholar and are eligible to apply for this benefit, you will need to have completed your initial SEVIS registration with your Designated School Official or Responsible Officer and have your Continued Attendance Form I-20/Form DS-2019. Because government systems can take a while to sync, please allow 7-10 days after your SEVIS Registration before applying for a Social Security Number. The SSA will not process your SSN application unless you have completed the in-person immigration check-in with the Office of Global Education.
SAVE CaseCheck is a free service that allows you to follow the progress of your SAVE verification check online. Use the Check Your Case button under the “Check the Status of your SAVE Case” menu item on the USCIS SAVE CaseCheck website. For more information, review the following resources:
Await your Social Security Card
The Social Security Administration will mail your SSN and Social Security Card as soon as all of your immigration information has been verified. It can take 2-4 weeks or more, although most students and scholars receive their card within 10 days of application. If it does not, you may check the status of your application using the my Social Security account.
You may not be able to begin working until you receive verification of your SSN. Keep your employer, supervisor, and human resources staff up to date on your SSN application, and follow all laws, regulations, policies, and rules set by state and/or federal governments as well as your employer when it comes to employment practices.
Secure Your Social Security Number
It is important not to share your Social Security Number with anyone else as this can lead to “Identity Theft, i.e. someone can use your SSN to perform illegal transactions or activities that will be attributed to you without your knowledge. Below are some tips that will help you to secure your Social Security Number:
- Memorize your SSN. The best place to keep your SSN is in your mind.
- Do not carry around your Social Security card in your wallet. Instead, keep it in a safe, secure and secret place and keep it forever. You are issued one SSN for life.
- Do not give out your SSN to anybody, including your family members or friends, unless it is absolutely necessary. If you are required to do so, don’t hesitate to ask the reason they need your SSN.
- Beware with on-line transactions. Normally you are not required to give out your SSN. If you are told to do so, be sure that the site is trusted and secured. In some cases, you may have to give the last four digits of your SSN.
- As a customer, when you are talking with customer service agents requiring information or filing a complaint, avoid telling them your SSN.