SOCIAL SECURITY Application Procedures for F-1

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for a Social Security number you must have what Social Security considers a "valid" reason for applying. Generally, students and scholars who are eligible to work on campus because of their visa type are eligible for a Social Security number. As of October 13, 2004 F-1 students must provide proof of an offer of employment on campus in order to apply for the Social Security Number. This is done by submitting a special document entitled F-1 Employment Offer Form along with your Social Security Number application. Download that form here.

 

If you will be receiving payment (as in the case of University employment, including assistantships) for any type of work, you must obtain a valid SSN from the Social Security Office.

 

Important:

The International Student Center recommends that you wait a minimum of 15 days after your arrival in the United States before you apply for a Social Security Number. This will give enough time for the information collected by Customs and Border Patrol, when you entered the country to reach the Social Security Office. 

 

To apply for a Social Security Number, you need to fill in a Social Security Application (you can get it from the Social Security office or download here) and bring it to the Social Security Office with the following documents:

• Passport with student VISA
• SEVIS I-20
• F-1 Employment Offer Form
• Valid I-94

Be sure to have a valid local address on your application. This is the address where Social Security will send your card. If it is not a valid address the card will be returned to Social Security.

 

If your application is successful please be sure to request a receipt from the person who assists you at the Social Security Office. With the receipt you can begin to process the required payroll paperwork immediately with the Student Employment Office at UMass Dartmouth, even before you receive the official Social Security card in the mail. If you do not get a receipt you will have to wait until the Social Security card comes in the mail.

 

The Social Security card, with the number on it, usually arrives in the mail about two weeks after you have successfully applied. You can obtain the number earlier by calling the Social Security Administration five (5) working days after you have made your application. They can be reached at 1-800-772-1213.

 

NOTE: After you receive your Social Security Number, you are eligible to work on campus; however, Social Security Numbers DO NOT authorize off-campus employment. In order to work in the United States, you must have the appropriate employment authorization for your immigration status.

 

If your application is not successful, you will be told immediately at the Social Security office.  Please request the name of the individual with whom you spoke at the Social Security Office and if possible the telephone number. This will enable the International Student Center staff in assisting you with the resolution of the problem.

 

A non-US Citizen who is not eligible for a Social Security Number under current federal regulations or policies may still be issued a learner's permit, driver's license or ID Card by the Registry of Motor Vehicles. The person must provide acceptable identification documents, acceptable evidence that he or she has applied for a Social Security Number but has been denied one, and must otherwise qualify for the permit, license or ID Card being sought.

 

Non-immigrants who are not allowed to work in the US, such as those in F-2 status, generally cannot obtain a Social Security Number. If you are not eligible for a Social Security Number but you want a number to set up a bank account or to file an income tax return, you can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (Form W-7).

 Last Updated On: 11/15/05