Social Security Number

A Social Security Number (SSN) is a 9-digit unique identification number issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Eligibility for a Social Security Number is based upon a person’s eligibility to work in the United States. In certain circumstances, students in F-1 or J-1 student status are eligible for a Social Security Number. F-1 or J-1 students who are interesting in applying for a Social Security Number should read the following information carefully as application requirements differ, depending on your immigration status and employment you are engaging in.

Purpose

The Social Security Number is required by the U.S. government for tax and employment reporting purposes. Many financial institutions, such as banks and credit companies, also ask for your number when you open an account. Once you obtain a Social Security Number, it is yours for life. You do not need to apply for a new Social Security Number if you transfer schools or get a new I-20/DS-2019.

Note: The SSN does not grant you legal employment authorization in the U.S.

Eligibility

In order to apply for a Social Security number, you must meet one of the following requirements:

  • F-1 students who have been offered on-campus employment, are working off-campus with CPT or OPT authorization, or are receiving for-service fellowships
  • F-1 students pursuing a PhD
  • J-1 students with letter of permission to work from their sponsor
  • J-1s in scholar or professor category
  • J-2 spouses with approved permission to work from USCIS
  • Individuals in H-1B, TN, or O-1 status

Note: You must be in active status for the immigration status you are in before applying for the SSN. Individuals should wait at least 10 days after arriving in the U.S. and at least 24 hours after SEVIS registration to apply for the SSN.

Filing for the Social Security Number

Once you have determined your eligibility to apply for the SSN, please review instructions below for how to apply for the SSN.

F-1 Students

  1. In order to be employed as an international student, you must be in valid immigration status, eligible for the type of employment you are seeking, and in possession of a Social Security number (SSN). To apply for SSN, you must first request an SSN Support letter from the ISO. To request an SSN support letter, please log into the ISO Gateway and complete the SSN Support Letter Request eform.
  • Official On-Campus Employment Offer Letter on TCU letterhead/logo. Be sure the hiring department has signed this with wet blue ink.
  • Copy of your most recent I-94. Once submitted, the ISO will review and process your request. We will let you know at your TCU email that the SSN Support letter is ready for pick up. Pick up hours are Mondays to Fridays from 8am to 5pm.
  1. After picking up your SSN support letter, follow these steps:
    • Verify you are in Active status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Your SEVIS record must be in Active status for at least two days before applying for an SSN. If you have a record in any other status, you will not be successful in applying for an SSN.
    • Wait 10 days after arriving in the United States before applying for an SSN to allow enough time for your arrival information to update in all government systems. SSA uses the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to verify your nonimmigrant student status and determine if you are eligible for an SSN. You can use the SAVE Case Check to follow the progress of your SAVE verification check online; visit our Checking Your SAVE Case Status for more information..
    • Schedule an appointment with the SSA office, and take the letter along with the following documents to the SSA appointment:
  1. Once you receive your SSN, the final step in the process is to complete the I-9 form:
  • Go to the Center for Career & Professional Development with your social security card, passport and I-94 confirmation page.
  • Complete I-9 and Worker’s Compensation page in the Center for Career & Professional Development office.
  • Once your I-9 paperwork has been verified, you will receive an email from the Center for Career & Professional Development, informing you it has been completed.
  • The Center for Career & Professional Development will then forward your information to HR Payroll.
  • TCU HR will email you instructions regarding the completion of Glacier (online international tax reporting software). Completion of Glacier is mandatory before beginning to work.
  • After Glacier is complete hiring supervisors must complete the Electronic Personnel Action Form (ePAF) through my.tcu.edu. Once complete, this automatically routes to Financial Aid (when appropriate) and then to Human Resources for processing.
  • Once approved in HR you will be able to set up direct deposit and W-4 on the my.tcu.edu portal.

Please refer to the Center for Career & Professional Development On-Campus Employment Webpage for additional information.

F-1 students on CPT or OPT does not need an SSN support letter from the ISO.  After scheduling an appointment with the SSA office, take the following documents to the SSA appointment:

J-1 EXCHANGE VISITORS

  1. If you are a J-1 student. You must obtain a letter from the ISO confirming your TCU immigration status and employment eligibility. To request the letter, please send the following documents to internationalservices@tcu.edu:
    • Official On-Campus Employment Offer Letter on TCU letterhead/logo. Be sure the hiring department has signed this with wet blue ink.
    • Copy of your most recent I-94. Once submitted, the ISO will review and process your request. We will let you know at your TCU email that the SSN Support letter is ready for pick up. Pick up hours are Mondays to Fridays from 8am to 5pm.

If you are in one of the following 12 J-1 categories, a sponsor letter is not required as noted on the SSA website:

  • Alien Physician
  • Au Pair
  • Camp Counselor
  • Government Visitor
  • Intern
  • Professor
  • Research Scholar
  • Short-term Scholar
  • Specialist
  • Summer Work/Travel
  • Teacher
  • Trainees
  1. Schedule an appointment with the SSA office, and take the letter (if applicable) along with the following documents to the SSA appointment: