Applying for a U.S. Social Security Number
F-1 Visas
A Social Security number (SSN) is a permanent nine-digit identification number/card issued by the United States government. It is used primarily for taxing income in order to provide retirement and medical benefits. For tax purposes, anyone receiving income must provide their US employer with a social security number. Recent changes in Social Security Administration regulations have restricted the issuing of SSNs to certain foreign student categories. F-1 students must have a job and be currently working in order to apply for a SSN. An application with a future start date will not be accepted.
1. How To Apply
In order to obtain a social security number, you must apply in person at the local Social Security Administration office. Follow the procedures below depending upon your type of nonimmigrant status. The name you put on your social security application needs to match the name you have on your I-20, your passport, your I-94 card, and your University of Minnesota records.
2. Social Security Administration Offices
- 1811 Chicago Avenue South, Minneapolis
- Sibley Bldg. Suite 800, 190 5ht St. East, St.paul
- 5215 Industrial Boulevard, Edina
- 3220 County Road 10, Brooklyn Center
Office hours: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Phone: 800/772-1213. Website: www.ssa.gov/
3. STANDARD DOCUMENTS
All nonimmigrants must show the following documents in order to complete an application:
- Valid Passport
- Valid I-94 card
- I-20
- One other piece of identification - student ID card, driver's license, credit card, etc.
4. ADDITIONAL MATERIALS (depending on your status)
F-1 Students with Graduate Assistantships or On-Campus Hourly Jobs. In addition to the above, F-1 students need proof of a job or a job offer (from hiring department) and verification of the employment from a Designated School Official (DSO) in ISSS. You must have your Employing Department download and print the form letter “Verification of F-1 Student’s On-campus Job” on department letterhead and fill out Section 1. Then you must have a DSO in ISSS fill out Section 2 of the form letter.
F-1 Students with an Employment Authorization Document.
Under certain circumstances, F-1 students can obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that permits them to work off campus. In most cases, F-1 students with an EAD are on Optional Practical Training. F-1 students who have an EAD need to submit the standard documents listed above, and should show their EAD when they apply. No employer letter is necessary. No DSO letter is necessary.
F-1 Students on Curricular Practical Training.
All F-1 students need to submit the standard documents listed above. The I-20 must be properly endorsed with DSO authorization for CPT on page 3. No employer letter is necessary, but a copy of an offer letter may be helpful. Remember, the start date can not be in the future.
F-2 Dependents F-2 dependents may not work and therefore do not qualify for a social security number. The social security office will not accept their applications.
5. Steps for Students Employed by University of Minnesota
- Bring all of the documents listed above to:
-University of Minnesota Payroll Office (West Bank Office Building, 1300 S. 2nd St, Room 545 or Donhowe Building Room 170) to fill out UMN payroll forms.
- Apply for Social Security card at a US Social Security Administration office.
Order of tasks:
- Employment Authorization
- ISSS endorsement
- UMN payroll
- Social Security office
Those persons requiring an identification number for tax filing or some other specific legal purpose, but who do not qualify for a Social Security number
(F-2, J-2, and H-4 visas), See Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), for more information.
Last Update:
November 14, 2007
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