Are International Students Eligible To Obtain A Social Security Number/Card?
Yes, students in the United States temporarily to attend a college, language,
Social Security numbers generally are assigned to people who are authorized to work in the United States. Social Security numbers are used to report your wages to the government and to determine eligibility for Social Security benefits. Social Security will not assign a number to you just to enroll in a college or school.
If you want to get a job on campus, you should contact your designated school official for international students. This official can tell you if you’re eligible to work on campus and can give you information about available jobs. Also, your school may approve certain limited off-campus employment, as permitted under Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations. If your school has authorized you to work either on or off campus, and you meet Social Security’s eligibility requirements described in the next section, you can get a Social Security number.
In general, only noncitizens who have DHS’ permission to work can apply for a Social Security number. We suggest you wait 48 hours after reporting to your school before you apply for a Social Security number. This waiting will help ensure we can verify your immigration status with the DHS.
To apply for a Social Security number at your local Social Security office:
- Complete an Application for a Social Security card (SS-5); and
- Show documents proving your:
- Work-authorized immigration status;
- Age; and
- Identity.
Immigration status
To prove your immigration status, you must show us a current admission stamp in your unexpired foreign passport and Arrival/ Departure Record (Form I-94), if available. If you’re an F-1 or M-1 student, you must also show us your Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (Form I-20). If you’re a J-1 exchange visitor, you must show us your Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (Form DS-2019). Click here for required International Student Forms.
Work eligibility
If you’re an F-1 student and eligible to work on campus, you must provide a letter from your designated school official that:
- Identifies you;
- Confirms your current school status; and
- Identifies your employer and the type of work you
are,
You must provide evidence of employment, such as a recent pay slip or a letter from your employer. Your supervisor must sign and date the employment letter. This letter must describe:
- Your job;
- Your employment start date;
- The number of hours you
are, - Your supervisor’s name and telephone number.
If you’re an F-1 student authorized to work in curricular practical training (CPT), you must provide us your Form I-20 with the employment page completed and signed by your school’s designated official.
If you’re an F-1 or M-1 student and have a work permit (Form I-766) from the DHS, you must present it.
If you’re 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.
The SSA cannot process your application if:
- Your on-campus or CPT work begins more than 30 days from your application date; or
- The employment start date on your work permit from the DHS (Form I-766) is a future date.
Age
You must present your foreign birth certificate if you have it or can get it within 10 business days. If you can’t present your foreign birth certificate, the SSA can consider other documents, such as your passport or a document issued by the DHS, as evidence of your age.
Identity
The SSA can only accept certain documents as proof of identity. An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information, and preferably, a recent photograph. Social Security will ask to see your current unexpired foreign passport with DHS issued immigration documents.
All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. The SSA cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. They also cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document. They may use one document for two purposes. For example, they may use your admission stamp in the unexpired foreign passport as proof of both work eligibility and identity.
The SSA doesn’t require you to have a Social Security number before you start work. However, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires employers to report wages using a Social Security number.
While you wait for your Social Security number, your employer can use a letter from the SSA stating that you applied for a number. Your employer may use your immigration documents as proof of your authorization to work in the United States. Employers can find more information on the Internet at www.socialsecurity.gov/employer/hiring.htm.
Contacting Social Security
The most convenient way to contact
If you don’t have access to the internet, the SSA
If you need to speak to a person, call from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may experience a higher than usual rate of busy signals and longer hold times.
