Employment

Social Security Number

F-1/J-1 students

Do I need a social security number to work in the United States?

Yes. You will need a Social Security Number (SSN) to allow employers to report your earnings to the U.S. government. To save you a trip to the Social Security Office you can now apply for your SSN and card (SSN card) on the same application form you will use to apply for your EAD card, Form I-765.  If USCIS approves your application to work in the U.S. and you completed the section on the application to request an SSN card, then you will receive two documents – your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), also known as the “USCIS I-766 card” or “work permit”, and in another envelope your SSN card.  The SSN card will be mailed to the address you listed on your I-765 application. You should receive your SSN card no later than 7 business days after you receive your EAD from USCIS.

Please see How to Apply for a Social Security Number.

For more information on travel, please read through this helpful 

What is a Social Security Number?

In the U.S. a Social Security number (SSN) is issued to track pay over a worker’s lifetime. A SSN is not an off-campus employment authorization and a SSN is not required to apply for a driver's license, open a bank account, rent an apartment, start a mobile phone contract or get a credit card.

If you are employed in the U.S. you must apply for a SSN. If you are not employed then you are not eligible for a SSN.

  • If you have been previously issued an SSN in the U.S., your SSN number belongs to you and you do not need to request a new number.
  • If you lost your SSN card and you are currently employed or have secured an on-campus job, you will need to start the SSN process again with the ISSC and then submit the replacement card application request to the Social Security Administration.
  • If you are J-1 students with DS-2019 that is not issued by ASU, please contact your J-1 program sponsor for further guidance on how to apply for a SSN.


How to Apply for Social Security Number

For new and transfer F-1 students

  1. After arrival to ASU, you should submit a SEVIS New Student Check-in eForm.
  2. Enroll full-time at ASU.
  3. Ask your department/employer for an on-campus Employment Offer letter. As of July 24, 2019, the ISSC and SSA will only accept an Employment Offer letter using this template.  *This template may not be fillable in all browsers and should be opened in either Chrome or Microsoft Edge.*  The DSO signature and name should be left blank.
  4. From the ISSC eForm Portal, click on the F-1 Student Services to complete the F-1 Certification Request for a Social Security Number Application eForm.  You will upload your employment offer letter to this eForm. Processing time may take up to 7 business days after we have received the completed request. This does not include weekends or ASU observed holidays. During peak seasons, processing times may be more than 7 business days as we deal with a higher volume of requests.
    • If further information or documentation is needed, the ISSC will contact you by email or phone.
    • You will be notified via email when your letter is ready to be picked up.
    • Processing time may take up to 7 business days after we have received the completed request. This does not include weekends or ASU observed holidays. During peak seasons, processing times may be more than 7 business days as we deal with a higher volume of requests.
  5. Once approved, bring your Employment Offer letter to the ISSC for certification.
  6. Apply for a social security number at a Social Security Card Administration office based on your zip code. Before visiting an SSA office, complete the Online Social Security Number Application. This digital form will allow the Social Security Card Administration to gather your information before you arrive at their office.
  7. You will need to take the following ORIGINAL documents to a Social Security Administration:
    • Original Employment Offer letter certified by the ISSC
    • Passport
    • I-94
    • Most current I-20
    • Confirmation page from online application
  8. Upon completion of your online application, it is highly recommended you schedule an appointment through their system. If you are unable to schedule an appointment, the Social Security Administration office will still accept drop-ins during their normal business hours. 

After meeting with a social security representative, you will receive a receipt for your transaction.

Once you receive your SSN in the mail, please contact ASU Human Resources or Aramark/Follett human resources, so that they can update your record accordingly.

Note for NEW F-1 Students

The Social Security Administration (SSA) will need to verify your status through their database. Verification relies on two critical actions:

  • Your arrival in the US: It takes 10 days for the SSA database to be updated after your arrival in the US. This applies to anytime you re-enter the US from abroad as you will receive a new I-94 admission number.
  • Your activation in the SEVIS system. New students and students returning from a leave of absence must complete the SEVIS New Student Check-in before your record can be activated in the SEVIS system. Once active, it will take approximately 3 days for the SSA database to be updated.

For continuing F-1 current students

  1. Enroll full-time at ASU.
  2. Ask your department/employer for an on-campus Employment Offer letter. As of July 24, 2019, the ISSC and SSA will only accept an Employment Offer letter using this template.  *This template may not be fillable in all browsers and should be opened in either Chrome or Microsoft Edge.*  The DSO signature and name should be left blank.
  3. From the ISSC eForm Portal, click on the F-1 Student Services to complete the F-1 Certification Request for a Social Security Number Application eForm.  You will upload your employment offer letter to this eForm. Processing time may take up to 7 business days after we have received the completed request. This does not include weekends or ASU observed holidays. During peak seasons, processing times may be more than 7 business days as we deal with a higher volume of requests.
    • If further information or documentation is needed, the ISSC will contact you by email or phone.
    • You will be notified via email when your letter is ready to be picked up.
    • Processing time may take up to 7 business days after we have received the completed request. This does not include weekends or ASU observed holidays. During peak seasons, processing times may be more than 7 business days as we deal with a higher volume of requests.
  4. Once approved, bring your Employment Offer letter to the ISSC for certification.
  5. Apply for a social security number at a Social Security Card Administration office based on your zip code. Before visiting an SSA office, complete the Online Social Security Number Application. This digital form will allow the Social Security Card Administration to gather your information before you arrive at their office. You will need to take the following ORIGINAL documents to a Social Security Card Center:
    • Original Employment Offer letter certified by the ISSC
    • Passport
    • I-94
    • Most current I-20
    • Confirmation page from online application
  6. Upon completion of your online application, it is highly recommended you schedule an appointment through their system. If you are unable to schedule an appointment, the Social Security Administration office will still accept drop-ins during their normal business hours. 

After meeting with a social security representative you will receive a receipt for your transaction.

Once you receive your SSN in the mail, please contact ASU Human Resources or Aramark/Follett human resources so that they can update your record accordingly.

For F-1 CPT and OPT students

You do not need a social security Certification Request Letter from the ISSC. You will be able to apply for a social security number using your CPT I-20 or OPT EAD card.

  • For CPT, you will not be able to apply for an SSN more than 30 days before the employment start date listed on your CPT I-20.
  • For OPT, you will not be able to apply for an SSN before the employment start date on your OPT EAD card.
  • Apply for a social security number at a Social Security Card Administration office based on your zip code. Before visiting an SSA office, complete the Online Social Security Number Application. This digital form will allow the Social Security Card Administration to gather your information before you arrive at their office.
  • Upon completion of your online application, it is highly recommended you schedule an appointment through their system. If you are unable to schedule an appointment, the Social Security Administration office will still accept drop-ins during their normal business hours. 

You will need to take the following ORIGINAL documents to a Social Security Card Administration near you:

  • Passport
  • I-94
  • OPT I-20 or CPT I-20
  • Confirmation page from online application
  • Offer letter from employer
  • EAD card (for OPT students only)

For J-1 students (DS-2019 issued by ASU)

  1. Enroll full-time at ASU.
  2. Ask your department/employer for an on-campus Employment Offer letter. As of July 24, 2019, the ISSC and SSA will only accept an Employment Offer letter using this template.  *This template may not be fillable in all browsers and should be opened in either Chrome or Microsoft Edge.*  The DSO signature and name should be left blank.
  3. From the ISSC eForm Portal, click on the J-1 Student Services to complete the J-1 Certification Request for a Social Security Number Application eForm. You will upload your employment offer letter to this eForm. 
    1. If further information or documentation is needed, the ISSC will contact you by email or phone.
    2. You will be notified via email when your letter is ready to be picked up.
    3. Processing time may take up to 7 business days after we have received the completed request. This does not include weekends or ASU observed holidays. During peak seasons, processing times may be more than 7 business days as we deal with a higher volume of requests.
  4. Once approved, bring your Employment Offer letter to the Faculty and Scholar Office (Discovery Hall- 250 E. Lemon St. Suite 172, Tempe, AZ 85287) for certification.
  5. Apply for a social security number at a Social Security Card Administration office based on your zip code. Before visiting an SSA office, complete the Online Social Security Number Application. This digital form will allow the Social Security Card Administration to gather your information before you arrive at their office.
  6. Upon completion of your online application, it is highly recommended you schedule an appointment through their system. If you are unable to schedule an appointment, the Social Security Administration office will still accept drop-ins during their normal business hours. 

You will need to take the following ORIGINAL documents to a Social Security Card Center:

  • Original Employment Offer letter certified by the ISSC
  • Confirmation page from online application
  • Passport
  • I-94
  • Most current DS-2019

After meeting with a social security representative you will receive a receipt for your transaction.

Once you receive your SSN in the mail, please contact ASU Human Resources or Aramark/Follett human resources so that they can update your record accordingly.

For J-1 Academic Training students

You do not need a social security letter from the ISSC. You will be able to apply for a social security number using your Academic Training DS-2019.

Apply for a social security number at a Social Security Card Administration office based on your zip code. Before visiting an SSA office, complete the Online Social Security Number Application. This digital form will allow the Social Security Card Administration to gather your information before you arrive at their office.

Upon completion of your online application, it is highly recommended you schedule an appointment through their system. If you are unable to schedule an appointment, the Social Security Administration office will still accept drop-ins during their normal business hours. 

You will need to take the following ORIGINAL documents to a Social Security Card Center near you:

  • Original letter from your employer
  • Confirmation page from online application
  • Passport
  • I-94
  • Academic Training DS-2019 and Academic Training letter