An SSN is required for everyone who works in the U.S. It is a unique, nine-digit identification number valid for life, and is issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
All students and scholars lawfully employed in the U.S. are required to apply in person for an SSN. There is no provision in the law that requires you to have an SSN before you start work. However, for you to get paid, employers are required to report wages using an SSN.
Eligibility
- Must be in the U.S. to apply
- F-1 students who have an official on-campus employment offer, or off-campus work permission from ISSP and/or U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)
- J-1 students who have an official employment offer and written work permission from ISSP
- J-1 scholars with an appointment letter
- J-2 dependents with work permission from USCIS
Note: F-2 dependents are not eligible for an SSN.
When to Apply
Newly Arrived Students
- Must wait at least 10 calendar days after arriving in the U.S.
- Must wait at least 2 business days after the initial registration of your SEVIS record. An international student advisor will register your record after you have completed the visa check-in process and you have enrolled full-time for the quarter.
- No more than 30 days before your employment start date.
Newly Arrived Scholars
- Must wait at least 10 calendar days after arriving in the U.S.
- Must wait at least 2 business days after the initial validation of your SEVIS record. A scholar advisor will validate your record after you have completed Scholar Orientation and submitted the necessary documents.
Continuing Students
- No more than 30 days before:
- On-campus employment start date as written on job offer or J-1 On-Campus Authorization form
- F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) start date on I-20
- J-1 Academic Training start date on DS-2019
Students on Post-Completion Training
- OPT: no earlier than the start date indicated on EAD
- AT: no earlier than 30 days before AT start date on the DS-2019
How to Apply
F-1 and J-1 Students
- Complete Part A of the ISSP Social Security Authorization Letter Request Form and then send it to your supervisor to complete Parts B and C.
- Once you have your completed form back from your supervisor, log onto your iGlobal account and go to ISSP Requests on the left-hand side; complete and submit the “Social Security Letter Request.” Allow 10 business days for processing.
- Locate your nearest Social Security Administration office. Make an appointment, if needed.
- Items to Bring with you to the Social Security Administration:
- Original SS-5 (must be fully completed and signed AND include your phone number)
- Original foreign passport (biographical page)
- I-94 (Most recent I-94, not the travel history)
- ISSP SSN Support Letter
- ISSP Social Security Authorization letter signed by the supervisor
- I-20 or DS-2019
Refer to the table below for specific documents required for students on F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, and J-1 AT.
When you go to the SSA to apply, you will be expected to bring the originals of all documents.
J-1 Scholars
J-1 scholars do not require any additional letters from ISSP to apply for a Social
Security Number.
- Locate your nearest Social Security Administration office. Make an appointment, if needed.
- Items to bring with you:
- Original SS-5 (must be fully completed and signed AND include your phone
number) - Original foreign passport
- I-94 (Most recent I-94, not the travel history)
- UCSC appointment letter
- Form DS-2019
Required Documents
| F-1 Students | F-1 CPT Students | F-1 OPT Students | J-1 Students | J-1 AT Students | J-1 Scholars | J-2 Dependents | |
| Passport | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| I-94 record or passport admission stamp | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| I-20 (if on CPT/OPT, then the CPT/OPT I-20) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| DS-2019 (if on AT, then AT DS-2019) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| ISSP SSN Support Letter, or J-1 On-Campus Authorization Form | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| Employment Authorization Document (EAD) | ✔ | ✔ |