Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
Social Security Number (SSN)
Social Security Number (SSN) eligibility
- F-1 and J-1 students are eligible once they secure an on-campus job or obtain off-campus employment authorization. Visit our Student Employment page for additional resources.
- J-1 scholars and employees in visa categories such as H-1B, TN, and O-1 are automatically eligible to apply for an SSN due to the employment-based nature of their immigration status.
- Spouses in J-2 status can apply for an SSN after receiving an Employment Authorization Document for work permission from United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Dependent spouses in other statuses, such as F-2, H-4, O-3, and TD, are not eligible for an SSN as they do not have work permissions in the United States.
- Dependent children are not eligible for an SSN unless they are born in the United States as citizens.
Visit our Dependents page for additional dependent resources.
How to apply
Watch this brief overview on the application process, featuring an international student from the Simon Business School, or review ISO’s SSN presentation slides.
You should begin your SSN application online at ssa.gov/number-card. Click ‘Request a Social Security number’ and then ‘Start application’. Remember that the name you enter in your SSN application must match the name on your passport. You must also have your Social Security card sent to your personal U.S. mailing address. Click here for guidance on how to enter your on-campus mailing address correctly.
After you submit your online request successfully, you must visit your local Social Security office within 45 days, where an agent will review your immigration and employment documents. You will be given a receipt with the date and location of your application. Most applications are usually processed within two to six weeks, and the social security card will be mailed to you.
The Social Security Administration must verify that all non-immigrant applicants have legal status in the United States and are eligible for the SSN.
Individuals in F-1 or J-1 status should wait to apply at least 10 days after entry to the United States and completion of immigration check-in at ISO. This allows time for the US Port of Entry and SEVIS databases to accurately record your arrival. If you apply earlier, there could be delays in processing your SSN application.
In addition, you must wait until you are within 30 days of your employment start date.
- Unexpired passport
- I-94 record
- Immigration documents for your status, as appropriate (e.g. F-1 I-20, J-1 DS-2019, H-1B Approval Notice, etc.)
- Additional Documentation for F-1 and J-1 Students
-
- Verification of F-1 On-Campus Employment Letter (F-1 students with on-campus employment), or
- Verification of F-1 On-Campus Employment at an Off-Campus Location Letter, Affiliation Agreement, and Job Offer Letter (F-1 students with on/off employment), or
- J-1 Social Security Letter (J-1 students with on-campus employment)
There are two offices of the US Social Security Administration in the Rochester area:
- Downtown Rochester location
200 East Main Street, 2nd Floor
Rochester, NY 14604To get to this location, take the University Shuttle (Red Line) from River Campus to the Eastman Living Center on Gibbs Street (100 Gibbs Street). Head to Main Street, turn right, and continue to 200 East Main Street. The building will be on your right. - Greece location
4050 West Ridge Road
2nd Floor
Rochester, NY 14626
SSA accepts applications Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (except national holidays).
You may be able to schedule an appointment as part of the online process. If you are not given that option, SSA also offers a walk-in service.
National Toll-Free Telephone: +1 800-772-1213
Report your SSN
Once your SSN has been issued, you will need to report the number to your employer(s).
If you have on-campus employment, you must:
- Report the number to the Registrar at your respective school. Do this in person; do not put your SSN in an email.
- Take the card to the Human Resource Service Center at 910 Genesee Street, Suite 100
- Update the information on your Sprintax Calculus profile. If you do not have a Sprintax Calculus profile, email FNPayroll@ur.rochester.edu to request a link.
Work and pay while the SSN application is pending
You can begin authorized employment while your SSN application is being processed. Your employer can use a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that you applied for your SSN, along with your immigration documents, as proof of your authorization to work in the United States. Employers can find more information on the Social Security government website
If you have on-campus employment, the University of Rochester can pay you without having your SSN. While the application is pending, you can receive payments for up to two months. After this time, you will need to report your SSN. If you still have not received your SSN, reach out to the Social Security Administration for an update on your application and notify ISO.
Ineligibility for an SSN
If you don’t meet eligibility requirements for an SSN, the Social Security Administration cannot assign a number to you.
If you are in receipt of payment from the University, but not eligible for a SSN due to the academic nature of your appointment, you should apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. This number is used when filing both a US Federal and NY State tax return; it cannot be used for identification purposes outside the tax system.
Replacing your Social Security Card
If you already have an SSN, your number will not change. However, you may need to request a replacement card if there is an error on the card you receive, you change your name, or your original card has been lost or stolen, or has an outdated notation printed above your name.
All nonimmigrants with valid US work permission should have a card stamped “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION.” If you have a card that reads “Not valid for employment” or any other notation, you may need to request a replacement card.
You can only apply for a replacement card if you are currently authorized for employment.
Protecting yourself from identity theft
Your SSN is the key to your financial identity in the United States. Keep your SSN private so others don’t use it without your knowledge or permission. We recommend keeping your SSN card in a safe place but separate from your immigration documents.
Visit our Legal Issues page for more details on keeping your identity protected.