Social Security Number Application

A Social Security Number (SSN) is used primarily by employers and employees for tax-reporting purposes only. The employer needs to withhold taxes on your earnings using your unique number, and you need your social security number when you file a tax return.

What is an SSN?

A Social Security Number (SSN) is is issued by the Social Security Administration (SSA), a federal agency, and is used primarily by employers and employees for tax-reporting purposes only. The employer needs to withhold taxes on your earnings using your unique number, and you need your social security number when you file a tax return.

A Social Security Number (SSN):

✔: must be applied for in person from the Social Security Administration, a federal agency. A Columbia University issued number is not an SSN and is for internal use only.
✔: is yours for life. You don't need to apply for another one if you already have an SSN from a previous stay in the United States.
✘: is not a work permit. An SSN is used only for tax-reporting purposes.
✘: is not required to open a bank account, rent an apartment, start a mobile phone contract, or get a credit card.

Eligibility

In general, international students and scholars need to have authorized employment to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN), with the following exceptions:

J-1 students, researchers, and short-term scholars are eligible to apply for an SSN without employment.
F-1 doctoral fellowship stipend recipients who do not work the first year but will later have teaching and research responsibilities. Fellowship students who are already in a teaching position should follow the instructions for on-campus employment.

When You Can Start Your Application

If you are a new student, you will not be able to submit this request until after you have reported your arrival with the ISSO. Please allow 1 to 2 business days for your record to be updated.

On Campus Employment: as early as 30 days in advance of your employment start date.
Doctoral Fellowship: as early as 30 days in advance of your I-20 program start date.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT): as early as 30 days in advance of your CPT employment start date printed on page 2 of your I-20.
Optional Practical Training (OPT): If you applied for a Social Security Number (SSN) through the I-765 OPT application, you do not need to follow these instructions to apply in person. Generally you will receive the SSN in the mail a few weeks after you receive the EAD. If you do need to apply for an SSN in person, you may apply on or after the OPT start date on your EAD card.

All students in J-1 status are eligible to apply for a Social Security Number without being employed, including students with a doctoral fellowship.

If you are a new student, you will not be able to submit this request until after you have reported your arrival with the ISSO. Please allow 1 to 2 business days for your record to be updated.

Currently Enrolled: as early as 30 days in advance of your DS-2019 program start date.
Academic Training (AT): as early as 30 days in advance of your Academic Training employment start date.

If you are newly arrived, wait two business days after you have reported your arrival online to ensure that your SEVIS record can be verified as "active".

Intern: as early as 30 days in advance of your DS-2019 program start date.
Professor / Researcher: as early as 30 days in advance of your DS-2019 program start date.

If you applied for a Social Security Number (SSN) through the I-765 application for J-2 work permission, you do not need to follow these instructions to apply in person.

Generally you will receive the SSN in the mail a few weeks after you receive the EAD.

If you do need to apply for an SSN in person, you may apply on or after the "valid from" date on your EAD card.

H1-B / O-1: on or after the "valid from" date on your I-797 Approval Notice.
TN / E-3: on or after the start date on the TN or E-3 sponsor's letter offering employment.

Application Process

Gather Your Documents

Go to the Social Security Card Center with your documents and control number

Wait 1-2 Weeks to Receive Your Social Security Card in the Mail

Gather Your Documents

Check the list below for the documents you need to gather to apply for an SSN. You will need to upload them for the online application and then bring the originals with you to follow up in person.

F-1 Students

1.

Unexpired passport, valid for at least 6 months into the future

2.

Most Recent I-20 Program end date on I-20 has to be at least 14 days into the future on the date of your SSN application

3.

Most recent I-94 arrival record. You must print it out on paper.

4.

On-Campus Employer Letter

Share the On-Campus Employer Letter link with your supervisor who will complete and sign the fillable form. The form must be:

printed on the hiring department's official letterhead
signed in blue ink with the supervisor's original signature
- The supervisor signature must be less than 30 days old on the day you go to the Social Security Card Center to apply for an SSN

5.

ISSO Social Security Letter

You will need a copy of your most recent I-94 arrival record to submit your online application through Compass. Since OPT is a touchless application, please do not bring your On-Campus Employer Letter to the ISSO. Follow these directions for free UEMS shipping and save your order number which is needed in your application in Compass.

Log in to Compass with your UNI and password to request your ISSO Social Security Letter. Click on the link for your campus.

After you submit the application, ISSO will email you when your ISSO Social Security letter has been processed and ready for shipping. You must go to the Social Security Card Center to apply for the SSN within 30 days from the date the letter is issued.

1.

Unexpired passport, valid for at least 6 months into the future.

2.

Most recent I-20 Program end date on I-20 has to be at least 14 days into the future on the date of your SSN application.

3.

Most recent I-94 arrival record. You must print it out on paper.

4

Proof of Fellowship
Find a copy of your official fellowship award letter that referred to future teaching/research responsibilities OR obtain a letter from your department's Graduate Coordinator or your academic adviser that confirms the terms of the fellowship regarding future teaching or research responsibilities. Whichever letter you choose must have an original signature.

5.

ISSO Social Security Letter

You will need a copy of your most recent I-94 arrival record to apply for the ISSO Social Security letter. As OPT is a touchless application, follow these directions for free UEMS shipping and save your order number which is needed in your application in Compass.

Log in to Compass with your UNI and password to request your ISSO Social Security Letter. Click on the link for your campus:

After you submit the application, ISSO will email you when your ISSO Social Security letter has been processed and ready for shipping. You must go to the Social Security Card Center to apply for the SSN within 30 days from the date the letter is issued.

1.: Unexpired passport, valid for at least 6 months into the future
2.: Most recent I-20 with CPT authorization printed on page 2
3.: Most recent I-94 arrival record, printed.

If you applied for a Social Security Number (SSN) through the I-765 OPT application, you do not need to follow these instructions to apply in person. Generally you will receive the SSN in the mail a few weeks after you receive the EAD.

1.: Unexpired passport, valid for at least 6 months into the future
2.: Most recent I-20
3.: Most recent I-94 arrival record
4.: EAD card authorizing OPT

J Students, Scholars, and Dependents

1.

Unexpired passport, valid until at least 6 months into the future.

2.

Unexpired DS-2019

3.

Most recent I-94 arrival record. You must print it out on paper.

4.

ISSO Social Security Letter. You will need a copy of your most recent I-94 arrival record to apply for the ISSO Social Security letter. As AT is a touchless application, follow these directions for free UEMS shipping and save your order number which is needed in your application in Compass.

Log in to Compass with your UNI and password to request your ISSO Social Security Letter.

Click on the link for your campus:

After you submit the request, ISSO will email you when your ISSO Social Security Letter has been processed and is ready for shipping. You must go to the Social Security Card Center to apply for the SSN within 30 days from the date the letter is issued.

1.: Unexpired passport, valid until at least 6 months into the future.
2.: Unexpired Form DS-2019 issued for your Academic Training.
3.: Most recent I-94 arrival record. You must print it out on paper.
4.: Academic Training Letter from the ISSO that you received with your Academic Training DS-2019

1.: Unexpired passport, valid until at least 6 months into the future
2.: Unexpired Form DS-2019. Student intern is the category under item 4.
3.: Most recent I-94 arrival record. You must print it out on paper.
4.: ISSO Social Security letter for J-1 Interns

1.: Unexpired passport, valid until at least 6 months into the future
2.: Unexpired Form DS-2019
3.: Most recent I-94 arrival record. You must print it out on paper.

If you applied for a Social Security Number (SSN) through the I-765 application for J-2 work permission, you do not need to follow these instructions to apply in person. Generally you will receive the SSN in the mail a few weeks after you receive the EAD.

1.: Unexpired passport, valid until at least 6 months into the future
2.: Unexpired DS-2019
3.: Most recent I-94 arrival record. You must print it out on paper.
4.: EAD card that authorizes J-2 work permission

Other Columbia Employees

1.: Unexpired passport, valid until at least 6 months into the future
2.: I-797B Approval Notice. See sample.
3.: Most recent I-94 arrival record. You must print it out on paper.

1.: Unexpired passport, valid until at least 6 months into the future
2.: Most recent I-94 arrival record. You must print it out on paper.
3.: Letter from Columbia Employer

Go to the Social Security Card Center with your documents and the control number from your online application

Start the application process online on Social Security’s website and finish it in person. The Social Security Card Center recommends that you go on Wednesdays or Thursdays to avoid longer lines on other days.

A. Go to www.ssa.gov/ssnumber and follow the prompts.

B. After you click submit, print and save the control number that will be shown on the screen. Social security will not accept digital images on your phone, so be sure you have original documents with you and a printed version of your I-94.

C. Check in at the kiosk when you arrive at the Card Center and an SSA employee will verify the information that you completed online and review your documentation.

D. You will get a receipt when your complete application is accepted. This is important because Columbia requires it as part of the paperwork for getting on payroll.

Wait 1-2 Weeks to Receive Your Social Security Card in the Mail

After you receive your SSN, we advise you not to carry the Social Security Card with you, but to memorize the number or make a note of it elsewhere and put the card in a safe place with your other important documents. We all need to be careful to avoid identity theft. Don't lose your card! Replacement is tricky.

Replacing a Lost Social Security Card

The Social Security Administration will replace your card (and will give you the same number) only if you are currently eligible to get one. However, you may continue to use your Social Security number if you know it and your card is not requested.

Check the document requirements under the category for your current eligibility. The SSN application asks if you have ever filed for or received an SSN card previously.