F-1 and J-1 students must wait 10 days after arriving in the US before applying for SSN.

Students can only apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) with a job offer letter. An SSN is issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to students who will be working.

Students must have proof that they have been offered employment by a TTU department, a Confirmation of Status Letter, and an original I-20 with a wet-ink signature from their international advisor.

J-1 scholars and H-1B workers must wait 10 days after arriving in the US before applying for SSN.

When you're ready to apply for an SSN card, please bring the following documents to the Social Security Office:

• An SSN Letter from your J-1 Advisor
• Passport
• Copy of your I-94
• DS-2019 or I-797 Approval Notice
• Your TTU employment offer letter
  
  *Note: If you are a J-1 scholar that is not paid by TTU (external or personal funding), you will need a letter from your hosting TTU department that describes the circumstances of your work at TTU.

A Social Security Number (SSN) is a 9-digit employee identification number, issued by the US Social Security Administration (SSA). Eligibility for a Social Security Number is based upon a person's eligibility to work in the US. Those eligible for a Social Security Number include US citizens, permanent residents, and qualified foreign nationals--including F-1 or J-1 students in certain circumstances.

Often times, a student will need an SSN card due to employment.

SSN cards are required to:

• Apply for jobs and verify employment eligibility
• Track income for tax purposes
• Determine SSN benefits and other US government services
• Open bank accounts and obtain credit
• ...and other purposes.

No, simply having an SSN does NOT grant you legal authorization to work in the US. An SSN is a form of ID for employment purposes, but it is not work authorization. To learn more about working on or off campus, please visit the F-1 Employment webpage.

SSN cards are issued only to those who are employed and/or have tax reporting requirements. Most often, a student will need a job offer letter to apply (such as an assistantship letter or on-campus employment job offer letter).

If you are an initial student, please complete the Check-In Process first before proceeding.

Before attending an appointment with the Social Security Office, you will need the original, wet-ink copy of your I-20 and a Confirmation of Status Letter from your international advisor. You must first provide your job offer letter to your advisor to retrieve these documents.The job offer letter must contain all the necessary information as seen in our template here. Then, they will provide you with additional instructions to retrieve the documents and how to set up your SSN appointment.

You should NEVER provide your SSN card to ANYONE who is not your employer or HR official!!

Keeping your SSN card safe is crucial for several reasons:

1. Identity Theft Prevention: Your SSN is a key piece of information that identity thieves can use to open credit accounts, apply for loans, or even commit crimes in your name.
2. Financial Security: With your SSN, someone could potentially access your bank accounts, file fraudulent tax returns, or claim your Social Security benefits.
3. Personal Privacy: Your SSN is linked to many aspects of your personal information, including your employment history and medical records. Keeping it secure helps protect your privacy.

Losing your SSN card can cause serious issues, such as identity theft. You should immediately report a stolen SSN card here. Then, follow the procedures listed in the Social Security Agency's website here to replace your card. For further SSN inquiries, please contact the local Social Security Office for guidance.