Social Security Number

A Social Security number (SSN) is a nine-digit personal identification number issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration that is used in applying for employment and filing taxes. SSNs are assigned to individuals for life. Always keep your SSN card in a safe place. You do not have to carry it on you at all times.
An SSN is not equivalent to employment authorization. International students should always consult with ISSS about types of authorized employment before engaging in any work (paid or unpaid).
Who Can Apply
International students and scholars must have current work authorization in order to apply for an SSN.
F-1 students may apply if they have on-campus employment, have been approved for curricular practical training (CPT), or have received their EAD Card after applying for optional practical training (OPT).
J-1 students may apply if they have on-campus employment or have been approved for academic training.
J-1 scholars may apply ten days after they have arrived in the United States and their J-1 immigration record is validated and active.
If You Are Ineligible
If you are not eligible for an SSN, you can request a Social Security letter of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration. For this, ISSS can provide you with a Social Security ineligibility support letter. The official letter from the Social Security office serves as evidence of SSN ineligibility, enabling you to obtain a driver's license, a state ID, or a lease for an apartment and to open a bank account.
If you need to file taxes and are not eligible for an SSN, you can apply for an individual tax identification number (ITIN).
To request an SSN ineligibility support letter from ISSS:
Submit a service request through iGlobal: Go to General Services, then Letter Request, then SSN, and finally Not Authorized to Work and Ineligible for SSN.
ISSS will process your request within five business days. You will need to pick up your SSN ineligibility support letter from the ISSS office.
Bring this support letter to the Social Security office, which will issue you an official letter of ineligibility.
Applying for a Social Security Number
International students and scholars must apply for an SSN in person with Social Security after preparing specific documentation corresponding to the type of employment authorization sought, as detailed below. According to the Social Security Administration, you will be mailed your Social Security card approximately two weeks after applying. When you apply, you may ask for a receipt for your submitted SSN application.
- F-1 and J-1 Student On-Campus Employment
  
  The earliest you can apply for an SSN is 30 days before your employment start date.
  After you get your on-campus job offer, you will receive a Social Security Verification and Eligibility Letter for On-Campus Employment from the HR partner, which you must bring to ISSS to review and sign. Your hiring manager may contact the HR partner for any questions about this form.
  F-1 students do not need employment authorization from ISSS to work on campus. J-1 students do require employment authorization before beginning work on campus.
  When coming to ISSS with your letter, submit a service request through iGlobal: Go to General Services, then Letter Request, then SSN, and finally Authorized to Work on Campus.
  Processing time is generally one business day, after which you will need to pick up the original letter, signed by ISSS, from the ISSS office.
  Apply for your SSN card at the Social Security office. You will need to complete the Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5) and bring with you:
  A valid unexpired passport
  An I-94 record
  An I-20 or DS-2019
  A Social Security Verification and Eligibility Letter for On-Campus Employment (signed by ISSS)
  Your New School ID card (only if it matches your passport)
- F-1 CPT Employment
  
  Once your CPT has been approved and you have received an updated I-20, submit a service request through iGlobal: Go to General Services, then Letter Request, and finally SSN on F-1 CPT.
  Experience will process your request within five business days, after which you will need to pick up your SSN Eligibility Support Letter from the ISSS office.
  Apply for your SSN card at the Social Security Office. You will need to complete the Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5) and bring with you:
  A valid unexpired passport
  An I-94 record
  An I-20 (with current CPT authorization)
  An SSN Eligibility Support Letter issued by ISSS
  Your New School ID card (only if it matches your passport)
- F-1 OPT Employment
  
  If you applied for an SSN on on your I-765 application for OPT, you should receive your Social Security card approximately two weeks after receiving your EAD Card and do not need to take any further action. If you did not apply for an SSN on your I-765 application, you may apply upon receiving your EAD Card by following the steps outlined below.
  Once you have received your EAD Card, submit a service request through iGlobal: Go to General Services, then Letter Request, and finally SSN on F-1 OPT. If you haven't done so already, upload a copy of your EAD Card through the form. ISSS will process your request within five business days, after which you will need to pick up your SSN Eligibility Support Letter from the ISSS office.
  Apply for your SSN card at the Social Security Office. You will need to complete the Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5) and bring with you:
  A valid unexpired passport
  An I-94 record
  An I-20 (should show OPT approval)
  An SSN Eligibility Support Letter issued by ISSS
  An EAD Card
  Your New School ID card (only if it matches your passport)
- J-1 Academic Training
  
  Once your academic training (AT) has been approved by an ISSS advisor and you have received an updated DS-2019, submit a service request through iGlobal: Go to General Services, then Letter Request, and finally SSN on J-1 Academic Training. ISSS will process your request within five business days, after which you will need to pick up your SSN Eligibility Support Letter from the ISSS office.
  Apply for your SSN card at the Social Security office. You will need to complete the Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5) and bring with you:
  A valid unexpired passport
  An I-94 record
  A DS-2019 (should show AT authorization)
  An SSN Eligibility Support Letter issued by ISSS
  Your New School ID card (only if it matches your passport)
- J-1 Scholars
  
  This section applies only to J-1 research scholars, professors, and short-term scholars. If you are a J-1 student intern, please contact the ISSS office.
  You may apply ten days after you arrive in the United States. Your J-1 immigration record must be validated and in active status before you apply with the Social Security Administration. In order for your J-1 immigration record to be validated, you must check in with the ISSS office. Please see the check-in information on our website.
  Apply for your SSN card at the Social Security office. You will need to complete the Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5) and bring with you:
  A valid unexpired passport
  An I-94 record
  A DS-2019
  Your original New School invitation letter
  Your New School ID card (only if it matches your passport)
Replacing a Lost or Stolen Social Security Card
If your Social Security card is lost or stolen, you should file a police report.
To apply for a replacement card from the Social Security Administration, you must have current employment authorization and follow the steps described above. This means that if you do not have current employment authorization, you are not eligible to apply for a replacement card.
When you apply for a replacement card, your Social Security number will remain the same. You may continue to use the number if you know it, even if your card has been lost or stolen. Your number will not change when your card is replaced.

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