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. 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, please contact ISSS.
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 Student On-Campus Employment
  
  The earliest you can apply for an SSN is 30 days before your employment start date. F-1 students do not need employment authorization from ISSS to work on campus.
  Once your on-campus employment start date is less than 30 days away:
  Contact your HR partner, who will separately provide you with an SSN Verification & Eligibility form letter for you to apply for an SSN. Your hiring manager can provide you with your HR partner information, if needed, and can contact the HR partner for any questions about this form.
  Submit a letter request to ISSS to receive the ISSS SSN eligibility letter for on-campus employment. Processing time is generally one to three business days, after which you will need to pick up the original letter, signed by ISSS, from the ISSS office, or submit a document shipping request to have the letter mailed to you.
  After you have received both letters, you must apply in person at the Social Security Card Center in the NYC borough or other town/city where you live. When you go to the card center to apply, 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
  Your New School ID card (only if it matches your passport)
  A Social Security Verification and Eligibility Form Letter with an original signature from your HR partner
  An ISSS SSN eligibility letter with an original signature by ISSS
- F-1 CPT Employment
  
  The earliest you can apply for an SSN is 30 days before your CPT start date and no later than your CPT end date. After you have received your CPT approval on your I-20, you must apply in person to the Social Security Card Center in the NYC borough or other town/city where you live. When you go to the card center to apply, 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)
  Your New School ID card (only if it matches your passport)
  A hire letter from a CPT employer (recommended)
- 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 can apply upon receiving your EAD Card by going in person to the Social Security Card Center in the NYC borough or other town or city where you live. If you go to the card center in person to apply, 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 (showing OPT approval)
  An EAD Card
  Your New School ID card (only if it matches your passport)
- J-1 Student On-Campus Employment
  
  The earliest you can apply for an SSN is 30 days before your employment start date. J-1 students also require employment authorization from ISSS before beginning work on campus.
  When your on-campus employment start date is less than 30 days away:
  Contact your HR partner, who will separately provide you with an SSN Verification & Eligibility form letter for you to apply for an SSN. Your hiring manager can provide you with your HR partner information, if needed, and can contact the HR partner for any questions about this form.
  Submit the J-1 On-campus Employment request to ISSS to receive the on-campus employment authorization and your ISSS SSN eligibility letter for on-campus employment. Processing time is generally five business days, after which you will need to pick up the original letter, signed by ISSS, from the ISSS office or submit a document shipping request to have the letter mailed to you.
  After you have received both letters, you must apply in person at the Social Security Card Center in the NYC borough or other town/city where you live. When you go to the card center to apply, 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
  Your New School ID card (only if it matches your passport)
  A Social Security Verification and Eligibility Form Letter with an original signature from your HR partner
  An ISSS on-campus employment authorization and SSN eligibility letter with an original signature by ISSS
- J-1 Academic Training
  
  Once your J-1 academic training is approved and the employment start date is less than 30 days away, you must pick up your J-1 AT authorization letter issued by ISSS before you can apply for an SSN. After you have received the letter from ISSS, you must apply in person at the Social Security Card Center in the NYC borough or other town/city where you live. When you go to the card center to apply, 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)
  J-1 AT authorization 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 can apply for an SSN in person at the local Social Security Card Center in the NYC borough or other town or city where you live beginning ten days after you arrive in the United States. Your J-1 immigration record must be validated and in active status before you go to your appointment. 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.
  When applying in person at the Social Security Card Center, 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)
Scheduling a Social Security Number Appointment
To apply for a Social Security number (SSN), you must attend an SSN application appointment in person at the Social Security Card Center in the NYC borough or other town or city where you live. You can apply in person at the card center during its walk-in service hours or call the center in advance to ask to schedule an appointment. If calling to schedule an appointment, please be advised this may take multiple tries and you may be on hold for an extended time.
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.

Who Can Apply

If You Are Ineligible

Applying for a Social Security Number

Scheduling a Social Security Number Appointment

Replacing a Lost or Stolen Social Security Card

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