Social Security Number (SSN) for International Students

Overview

A Social Security Number (SSN) is used for employment and tax reporting purposes in the United States.

F-1 and J-1 students are only eligible to apply for an SSN after obtaining authorized employment. If you do not have employment authorization, you are not eligible for an SSN.

Who Can Apply

You may apply for an SSN if you:

• Have authorized employment (on-campus, CPT, OPT, or Academic Training)
• Are in valid F-1 or J-1 status

When to Apply

You should apply for an SSN:

• After receiving employment authorization
• After arriving in the United States and activating your SEVIS record

Required Documents

When applying for an SSN, you will typically need:

• Valid passport
• I-94 record
• Form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1)
• Proof of employment or employment authorization:
  • On-campus job offer letter, or
  • CPT authorization (I-20), or
  • OPT EAD card, or
  • J-1 Academic Training authorization

Additional documentation may be required depending on your situation.

How to Apply

1. Obtain authorized employment
2. Gather required documents
3. Visit a Social Security Administration (SSA) office
4. Submit your SSN application

👉 Find your nearest SSA office and application details on the Social Security Administration website. 

For detailed information from the SSA, open the document below. 

SSN Application Instructions

Important Notes

• You do not need an SSN to begin working, but you must apply after starting employment
• SSNs are issued for employment and tax purposes only, not for general identification
• Your SSN is a sensitive personal identifier—keep it secure and do not share it unnecessarily

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

International students who are not eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN) may need an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for U.S. tax reporting purposes.

You may need an ITIN if you receive:

• Scholarships
• Grants
• Fellowship income

Important Information on ITINs

• ITINs are issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax reporting purposes only
• ITINs do not provide work authorization
• Processing times may take several weeks to a few months

Some individuals may use an ITIN in place of an SSN for certain financial or administrative processes; however, acceptance varies by organization.

👉 Visit the IRS website for more information on ITINS and the application process

Final Reminder

You must have authorized employment before applying for an SSN. Applying without eligibility or providing incorrect documentation may delay your application.

ISSS is here to support you—contact us if you have questions before applying.