SOCIAL SECURITY Application requirements for J-1 Students

Eligibility

Generally, J-1 students and scholars are eligible to work on campus because their visa type is eligible for a Social Security number.

 

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. 

 

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 Social Security Number from 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 US student or scholar VISA
• SEVIS DS 2019
• Valid I-94
• A copy of your appointment letter (for scholars) or employment authorization letter (for students).  These can be obtained from Cathy Sullivan in Graduate Studies

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 Student Employment Office at UMass Dartmouth, even before you receive the official Social Security card in the mail. If you do not receive a receipt you will have to wait until your receive the Social Security card in the mail.

 

Your 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.

 Last Updated On: 11/15/05