Social Security Number (SSN)

International students in F-1 and J-1 status are subject to special documentation requirements, as well as special immigration status verification rules, when applying for a Social Security Number (SSN). 

The following documents are required when planning to apply for your SSN:

• A completed Online Social Security Number Application form.
• Valid passport and visa 
• Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) 
• Valid Form I-20 (F-1) or Form DS-2019 (J-1)
• Proof of Employment: an Assistantship Contract or Employment Offer Letter

On-Campus VT employers must use the university approved standard employment verification letter; a pdf template is available on the VT Payroll website. 

On-campus Non-VT employers (i.e. the bookstore, etc.) should provide the same information, but on their company letterhead, with the company Employer Identification Number (EIN) 

• Letter from an International Student Advisor or Designated School Official in the Cranwell International Center 
  • To request a letter from our office, please submit the Social Security Number Letter Request e-form through the IntlHokies Portal; if you are new student, you must also submit the Immigration Check-In e-form before we will process your SSN letter request. Submitting the check-in e-form allows us to activate your SEVIS record, which is required for the SSA office to process your SSN request. We recommend waiting 3-5 business days after your check-in is approved to visit the SSA office, as there can be a delay in the system updating your status.  

If you are currently in one of the following categories, you will NOT require a letter from your International Student Advisor:

• Students participating in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) will instead need to show a Form I-20 that has been properly endorsed to show their current CPT authorization. 
• Students applying to participate in Optional Practical Training (OPT) will instead need to show a Form I-20 that has been properly endorsed to show their current OPT authorization request OR they can simply choose to apply through the OPT application, which does not requiring visiting the SSA office. 
• Students participating in off-campus employment based on severe economic hardship will instead need to show their Employment Authorization Document (EAD). 

To apply for your SSN, begin the Online Social Security Number Application at https://ssa.gov/number-card/request-number-first-time. There is no charge to enter this request on ssa.gov. Click on the Get Started button. The Online Social Security Number Application will open and guide you through an electronic form. When you are asked to enter your U.S. mailing address, note that is the address where your SSN card will be sent when you complete this process. It should be an address where you can receive mail. When you submit the form, the ssa.gov site allows you to request an appointment. It will also display your Online Control Number, that you should write down or print. To schedule an appointment, you are required to create an account with Login.gov. Once you complete the online application, you must visit the local Social Security office with your documentation within 45 calendar days.

For Blacksburg area students, the closest office is in Roanoke. If you do not have a car, you can catch the SmartWay Bus to Roanoke. There is a stop just a few blocks from the SSA Office.

For D.C. area students, there are several social security offices. Use the Social Security Office Locator tool to find the closest office near your home zip code.

F-1 student may begin working after they have submitted their SSN application to the SSA. Employers may wish to reference SSA's fact sheet, Employer Responsibilities When Hiring Foreign Workers, if they have questions about this. This fact sheet contains information on how to report wages for an employee who have not yet received an SSN.