Social Security Number (SSN)

A Social Security Number (SSN) is a 9-digit identification number assigned by the U.S. government that is used for tax reporting purposes and required for any authorized paid employment. While your U.S. work authorization will eventually expire, your SSN is a unique number that is permanent and will never change. If you already have an SSN, then you do not need to apply for another one each time you obtain work authorization.

Guidance on this page applies to international scholars and international students at UC San Diego who are engaged in paid U.S. employment.

Eligibility

Eligibility:

You must be eligible for paid employment:

Obtaining an SSN is not the same as obtaining work authorization.
You must first have work authorization from your program sponsor (UC San Diego) or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to apply for an SSN.
If you have already applied for the SSN, you may work while the SSN application is being processed, as long as you have the appropriate work authorization from UC San Diego or USCIS.
- There is no provision in the law that requires employers to have their employees SSNs before hiring them and no provision that prohibits an employee from beginning work if he or she has not yet obtained an SSN.

You need to be registered in SEVIS:

You should wait at least 10 days after entering the U.S. and at least 5 days after your SEVIS record has been SEVIS registered or validated by ISEO before applying for your SSN.
If you have recently arrived to UCSD and need your SEVIS record registered for SSN purposes, contact ISEO and request SEVIS activation.

Dependents:

F-2 dependents may not engage in any employment in the U.S., including practical training.
J-2 dependent family members may apply to USCIS for permission to accept employment. A job offer is not required and a Social Security Number (SSN) can also be requested with this form.

J-1 Scholars:

Category:	SSN Eligible?
Research Scholar, Short-term Scholar, and Professor Categories	YES
Student Intern	YES, IF employed by UC San Diego.

F-1 Students:

Employment Type:	Eligibility and Authorization Needed:	SSN Eligible?
On-campus paid employment	Eligible immediately. No work authorization required.	YES
Off-campus paid employment during program (CPT)	Eligible after one year of full-time enrollment with the same SEVIS ID. Work authorization from ISEO on CPT I-20 required.	YES
Off-campus paid employment post-graduation (OPT)	Eligible after program completion/graduation. Work authorization from USCIS (EAD card). A SSN can be requested on Form I-765, which is submitted to USCIS when applying for OPT.	YES
Unpaid internships and volunteering	Eligible immediately. Pre-graduation: No work authorization required. Post-graduation: Work authorization through OPT required.	NO*

*Students who are are engaged in volunteering or an unpaid internship while on OPT are eligible to request an SSN based on their EAD card. F-1 students applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) can request a SSN in their OPT application.

J-1 Students:

Employment Type:	Eligibility and Authorization Needed:	SSN Eligible?
On-campus paid employment	Eligible immediately. Work authorization from ISEO required.	YES
Off-campus paid employment (Academic Training)	Eligible after one quarter of full-time enrollment in active J-1 status. Academic Training work authorization from ISEO required.	YES
On-campus unpaid internship	Eligible immediately. On-campus work authorization from ISEO required.	NO
Off-campus unpaid internship (Academic Training)	Eligible after one quarter of full-time enrollment in active J-1 status. Academic Training work authorization from ISEO required.	NO
Volunteering	Eligible immediately. Pre-graduation: No work authorization required. Post-graduation: Work authorization through Academic Training required.	NO

International Students Applying for SSN

Required Application Documents

F-1 and J-1 students need to bring all required documents with them to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Visit the SSA’s “Learn what documents you need to get a Social Security Card” page and click on ‘Noncitizen’ on the blue menu bar on the left.

Required SSN Application Documents:

SSN Application:
- OSSNAP Reference Number (preferred by SSA): Use the SSA’s Online Application (oSSNAP) to complete the SS-5 and print or screenshot the reference number provided at the end of the application
  -OR-
- Form SS-5: Print and complete the paper SS-5 Application for a Social Security Card
Passport
I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
Form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1)
- Documents issued electronically to students by ISEO that contain scanned copies of a DSO wet signature, such as the I-20, DS-2019, and the SSN Support Letter, are accepted by the SSA and do NOT need a wet signature.
SSA Application Support Letter from ISEO (see requirements below)
Your Job Offer Letter from employer (see requirements below)
- Your SSN will not be approved if your letter is missing any of the needed information.
- Note: Students who are applying for an SSN using CPT no longer need to provide a job offer letter.

Request a SSA Support Letter from ISEO:

Submit a "Letter Request" in iPortal.

Choose the "I am requesting a letter to submit to the Social Security Administration" option.
Upload a PDF copy of your Job Offer Letter (or OPT EAD card if on approved OPT).
- See sample job offer letters in the instructions below.
- Your request will NOT be approved if your letter is missing any of the needed information.
Your request will be processed in 5 business days.
You will be notified via email when the request is complete.

J-1 Students: Note that an SSA letter will automatically be prepared as part of your On-Campus Employment Authorization or Academic Training Employment Authorization.

Job Offer Letter Requirements:

Your job offer letter should be dated within 30 days of your SSA visit. SSN applications for on-campus work will not be processed if the employment start date is more than 30 days in the future.

Note: Students who are applying for an SSN using CPT no longer need to provide a CPT Offer Letter.

Your Job Offer Letter NEEDS to include ALL of the following:

Letterhead (A printed heading on stationary that may include company’s logo, name, and address)
Employee (your) information:
- Your legal name as written on your passport and I-20/DS-2019
- Formal job title (Not an abbreviation)
- Number of work hours per week
- Employment start date (No more than 30 days in the future)
Employer information:
- Employer’s official name and address
- Employer’s Employment Identification Number (EIN)
- Supervisor's name, title, and phone number
- Supervisor’s original ‘wet’ signature in ink with date
  - (The SSA will NOT accept a digital or electronic signature on an on-campus job offer letter) Students who are applying for an SSN using on-campus employment are REQUIRED to show hiring department offer letters with a wet signature.
If off-campus employment (CPT or AT):
- Salary or confirmation of compensation
- Description of employment and job duties
If on-campus employment:
- Department of employment
- UCSD or Department letterhead
- EIN’s for UCSD campus: 95–6006144**

Sample Job Offer Letters:

Apply for SSN at Social Security Administration (SSA)

Use the SSA Office Locator and input your current zip code to locate your nearest SSA Office. ISEO recommends visiting the SSA Office in Clairemont on Aero Drive.

The SSA has launched a portal for making appointments on their website. In order to access the portal, you must first complete the Online Application (oSSNAP) using a desktop or mobile phone. Be sure to print or screenshot the oSSNAP reference number provided at the end of the application and bring the number to your SSA appointment.

Please note:

The online SSN application must be completed first in order to enable the appointment calendar.
A paper SS-5 application is not needed for applicants that complete the online application.
Appointments are usually available within 10 days. If an applicant wishes to apply for their SSN sooner, they must visit an office without an appointment.

For more information see the Social Security Administration (SSA) International Students and Social Security Numbers Information Sheet.

Waiting for SSN

Upon application for an SSN card, a receipt will be issued to you, and it will take the SSA about three weeks to mail your SSN card to you. You may work while the SSN application is being processed, as long as you have the appropriate work authorization.

Individuals in F-1 or J-1 visa status are allowed to begin work as soon as their work authorization is valid, even if they do not yet have an SSN. A valid SSN is not required at the time of hire in order to be put on payroll and to enroll in benefits. 

For UC San Diego on-campus hires:

If hiring departments are filling out the Payroll Personnel System (PPS) system they should enter 999-99-999 in the SSN field for the time being. Once the student applies for and receives the SSN, the student must update the HR representative/personnel liaison with their SSN in the payroll system.

Delays in Receiving Your SSN:

USCIS's I-9 fact sheet for F-1 students contains the following guidance to students about I-9 validation:

"What if I have not yet received a Social Security number (SSN)?
- An SSN is not required for Form I-9. It is required if your employer uses E-Verify, but E-Verify allows you to work while you wait for an SSN."

References for employers regarding starting employment before an SSN is received:

The SSA’s Employer Responsibilities When Hiring Foreign Workers states: “There is no provision in the Social Security Act (the Act) that employers must have their employees' SSNs before hiring them. Neither is there any provision in the Act that prohibits an employee from beginning work if he or she has not yet obtained an SSN."
IRS guidance "Delays in Issuing SSNs to Aliens by the Social Security Administration" states: "There is no federal law administered by any federal agency which prohibits the hiring of a person based solely on the fact that the person does not have a Social Security Number (SSN). Similarly, there is no federal law which prohibits the making of a payment to a person based solely on the fact that the person does not have an SSN."

Instructions for paperwork filing requirements for employees who have applied for but not yet received an SSN:

The IRS's "Employer's Tax Guide" states: "If you file Form W-2 on paper and your employee applied for an SSN but does not have one when you must file Form W-2, enter "Applied For" on the form. If you are filing electronically, enter all zeros (000-00-000) in the social security number field. When the employee receives the SSN, file Copy A of Form W-2c, Corrected Wage and Tax Statement, with the SSA to show the employee's SSN. Furnish copies B, C, and 2 of Form W-2c to the employee. Up to five Forms W-2c for each Form W-3c may now be filed per session over the Internet, with no limit on the number of sessions. For more information, visit the SSA's Employer W-2 Filing Instructions & Information webpage at www.socialsecurity.gov/employer. Advise your employee to correct the SSN on his or her original Form W-2. Page 9, Publication 15, Circular E: Employer's Tax Guide".

International Scholars Applying for SSN

Required Application Documents

For the most current and detailed SSN application instructions visit the SSA website.

Remember that you are not a “student” for U.S. immigration purposes. When reviewing the instructions make sure to select the noncitizen option. Learn what documents you will need to get a Social Security Card

The following documents are required to apply for a Social Security card:

Completed Social Security Form
Passport
Form I-94 record printed from the USCBP website and/or admission entry stamp in the passport.
Additional documents by status:
- J-1 scholars (non-Student Intern category): Printed DS-2019 form
  - The Research Scholar, Short-Term and Professor categories do not need an employer letter to be eligible for a social security number, Section 4 of the DS-2019 shows your J-1 category. Only student interns need an employment letter.
  - The SSA may confuse your request with a category that does require an employer letter. We encourage you to print out the Social Security Program Operations Manual System (POMS) - RM 10211.345 "Section A" which shows that your category does not require an employer letter to be eligible for a social security number.
- J-1 scholars - Student Intern category: employment letter from ISEO advisor; contact your advisor or ischolars@ucsd.edu for this letter
  - only eligible for a SSN if being paid by UC San Diego.
- J-2 dependents (14 or older): qualify only when they apply for J-2 Employment. J-2 dependents can apply for work authorization and a social security number at the same time.
- H-1B or O-1 employees: Form I-797
OPTIONAL: SSA recently issued an message to all its offices and technicians instructing Social Security field offices to accept digital signatures on Forms DS-2019 as part of exchange visitors’ SSN applications. We encourage those who are applying for SSNs to bring a copy of this message when applying. Click here to access a copy of the Message.

If you experience any SSN related issued due to digital signatures on Form DS-2019, please notify your ISEO advisor.

Upon applying for a social security card, a receipt will be issued as the social security card is mailed. The receipt will not contain your SSN number as that is generated after you depart the SSN office. Please note that there is no change to obtain a social security number.

Apply for SSN at Social Security Administration (SSA)

The local San Diego Social Security Office has indicated that you can only receive services from the social security office your zip code is assigned to. This is based on your local/home/residential San Diego address, not your work address. To see instructions, hours and other offices and services, visit their website.

To determine which Social Security Office that provides you services: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp

Most UC San Diego Faculty/Scholars tend to live in zip codes that direct them to one of the following offices:

The Kearny Mesa Office (8505 Aero Drive San Diego, CA 92123) - (866) 331-6397
- Zip codes this office services: 92037; 92038; 92039; 92108; 92111; 92117; 92121; 92122; 92123; 92124; 92126; 92131; 92142; 92145; 92168; 92177; 92193; 92196; 92197
The San Diego Card Center (1333 Front Street San Diego, CA 92101) - (855) 820-0097
- Zip codes this office services: 92092; 92093; 92101; 92102; 92103; 92104; 92105; 92106; 92107; 92109; 92110; 92112; 92113; 92116; 92118

For bus routes to these offices visit https://www.sdmts.com/, or visit UC San Diego’s Transportation and Parking Services website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Driver’s License Application Without SSN

The DMV's regulation FFDL8, confirms that the SSN is not required for those who are not eligible for it. The FFDL8 states: "If you are not a U.S. citizen, but in the United States legally and are not authorized to work, you are not eligible for an SSN. If you are legally present in the U.S., but ineligible for an SSN, you are exempt from the DMV SSN requirement."

If you need a letter to confirm that you are not eligible for an SSN, you can submit a "Letter Request" on iPortal and choose the option "I am requesting another letter type not listed here." Then, you can write in the comment box to explain that you need a letter that states you are not eligible for the SSN in order to get a Driver's License.

Moving to a New Address

If your address changed, you should be able to change it online on the SSA website. If you are unable to change your address online, please call the SSA for further assistance.

Starting Employment Without SSN

You can inform your employer that you are able to start working as long as you have appropriate work authorization. Let the HR employee know that you have applied for a SSN and will update them with the new number as soon as it is received. You may work while the SSN application is being processed, as long as you have the appropriate work authorization.

For UC San Diego on-campus hires:

USCIS's I-9 fact sheet for F-1 students contains the following guidance to students about I-9 validation:

"What if I have not yet received a Social Security number (SSN)?
- An SSN is not required for Form I-9. It is required if your employer uses E-Verify, but E-Verify allows you to work while you wait for an SSN."

References for employers regarding starting employment before an SSN is received:

The SSA’s Employer Responsibilities When Hiring Foreign Workers states: “There is no provision in the Social Security Act (the Act) that employers must have their employees' SSNs before hiring them. Neither is there any provision in the Act that prohibits an employee from beginning work if he or she has not yet obtained an SSN."
IRS guidance "Delays in Issuing SSNs to Aliens by the Social Security Administration" states: "There is no federal law administered by any federal agency which prohibits the hiring of a person based solely on the fact that the person does not have a Social Security Number (SSN). Similarly, there is no federal law which prohibits the making of a payment to a person based solely on the fact that the person does not have an SSN."

Instructions for paperwork filing requirements for employees who have applied for but not yet received an SSN:

If Name is Too Long for SSN System

If the name listed on your I-94, DS-2019/I-20, or passport do not match one another, or if your name is too long for the SAVE system, the Social Security Officer will not be able to verify your identity using the online system. Instead, the Officer will have to fill out the DHS Form G-845 and the Supplement to the G-845 (if applicable) and manually submit your documents to DHS for verification. This process will take a couple of weeks. If your documents need to be manually verified, you will be given an acknowledgement letter that contains your case reference number. Keep this acknowledgement letter in a safe place as you will need the case reference number to follow up if it has passed the estimated processing time provided by the Officer.

Note: If the Social Security Officer tries to turn you away, saying he or she cannot verify you because your name is too long or because the names on all of your documents do not match due to the character limitations of the different forms, ask to speak to a supervisor! In no situation should they turn you away for these issues, instead they should submit your documents to DHS for a manual verification.

Applying for SSN after Employment End

Due to delays, some students may not be able to apply for and receive their SSN until after the employment has ended. This may be typical for short-term on-campus employment. However, since an SSN is required for tax reporting purposes, students are still urged to apply. Ensure you receive an updated offer letter (within 30 days of the date you will apply for an SSN) that meets all criterion outlined in the sections above. The updated offer letter should clearly document the START DATE of employment. There is no need to indicate the end date of employment, as on-campus employment may be on-going.