Social Security Number

A Social Security number is required to work in the US. International students and scholars are not assigned social security numbers unless they are participating in authorized employment.

F-1 students are advised to wait 10-12 days after they have made their initial entry into the country to apply for a SSN. Before applying for the SSN, students will need to complete a Social Security Verification Form, and return to OIP. OIP will then issue a SSN Support Letter to the student.

 Documents to Bring to the Social Security Office:
  • Valid passport
  • Valid I-94
  • I-20
  • SSN Support Letter from OIP
  • Offer letter from on-campus employer
  • One additional form of photo ID

The SSN application process takes 2-4 weeks. While students can begin working on campus without a SSN, they will not be paid until they can provide the Office of Human Resources with that number.

Documents to Bring to the Office of Human Resources to Complete the I-9:
  • Valid passport
  • Visa
  • Valid I-94
  • I-20
  • HT ID
  • SSN Card