Social Security Number

Ice craving of polar bear during sunrise

 The 9-digit U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) is the official identifying number used for U.S. tax reporting purposes. SSNs generally are assigned to people who are authorized to work in the United States. SSNs are used to report your wages to the government and to determine eligibility for Social Security benefits, generally when you reach retirement age.  

International students are not eligible for SSNs unless they have a job offer and will be working in the U.S. Instructions for each eligibility status are available.

 

Procedures to apply for a Social Security Number

Current SSA procedures require students in J-1 status to have an offer of employment before they are eligible to apply for a social security number. UAF assistantships and student jobs are considered employment. Before your application for a social security number will be accepted, you must be registered for the current semester, you must have a verification of status letter from the International Advisor and your SEVIS record must be updated by the International Advisor.

  1. Bring your employment letter to the Study Away advisor. A sample employment letter template is available here. Provide your current email so that you can be notified when the letter is ready (generally the next day).
  2. The International Student Advisor will prepare the letter for you to take to the Social Security Office and will update your SEVIS record. You will be emailed when it is ready to be picked up along with complete instructions for submitting the application.
  3. Complete the application for the social security number. Make a copy for your records.
  4. Submit the SSA application following the detailed instructions provided by the International Advisor.
  5. Request a letter of receipt from the Social Security office. Provide a copy to your UAF sponsoring department Payroll/Personnel Assistant.

Do NOT submit a social security number application before confirmation that your SEVIS record has been updated. The SSA office will not be able to verify your immigration status.

Additional information is available through the Social Security Administration at and .

Current SSA procedures require students in F-1 status to have an offer of employment before they are eligible to apply for a social security number. UAF assistantships and student jobs are considered employment. A sample letter template for UAF student employment is available here.

Before your application for a social security number will be accepted, you must be registered for the current semester, you must have a verification of status letter from the International Advisor and your SEVIS record must be updated by the International Advisor.

  1. Bring a copy of your class registration and employment letter to International Student and Scholar Services. Also, provide your current email so that we can notify you when the letter is ready (generally the next day). If the printed schedule does not have your name, please include a copy of your registration form with the computer-printed schedule.
  2. The International Student Advisor will prepare the letter for you to take to the Social Security Office and will update your SEVIS record. You will be emailed when it is ready to be picked up along with complete instructions for submitting the application.
  3. Complete the application for the social security number. Make a copy for your records.
  4. Submit the SSA application following the detailed instructions provided by the International Advisor.
  5. Request a letter of receipt from the Social Security office. Provide a copy to your UAF sponsoring department Payroll/Personnel Assistant.

Do NOT submit a social security number application before confirmation that your SEVIS record has been updated. The SSA office will not be able to verify your immigration status.

Additional information is available through the Social Security Administration at their website and .

Current SSA procedures require students in F-1 status to have an offer of employment before they are eligible to apply for a social security number. UAF assistantships and student jobs are considered employment. A sample letter template for UAF student employment is available here.

Before your application for a social security number will be accepted, you must be registered for the current semester, you must have a verification of status letter from the International Advisor and your SEVIS record must be updated by the International Advisor.

  1. Bring a copy of your class registration and employment letter to International Student and Scholar Services. Also, provide your current email so that we can notify you when the letter is ready (generally the next day). If the printed schedule does not have your name, please include a copy of your registration form with the computer-printed schedule.
  2. The International Student Advisor will prepare the letter for you to take to the Social Security Office and will update your SEVIS record. You will be emailed when it is ready to be picked up along with complete instructions for submitting the application.
  3. Complete the application for the social security number. Make a copy for your records.
  4. Submit the SSA application following the detailed instructions provided by the International Advisor.
  5. Request a letter of receipt from the Social Security office. Provide a copy to your UAF sponsoring department Payroll/Personnel Assistant.

Do NOT submit a social security number application before confirmation that your SEVIS record has been updated. The SSA office will not be able to verify your immigration status.

Additional information is available through the Social Security Administration at and .

  1. Complete the application for the social security number. Make a copy for your records. The .
  2. Submit the SSA application following the detailed instructions provided by the International Advisor.
  3. Request a letter of receipt from the Social Security office. Provide a copy to your UAF sponsoring department Payroll/Personnel Assistant.

Do NOT submit a social security number application before confirmation that your SEVIS record has been updated. The SSA office will not be able to verify your immigration status.

Additional information is available through the Social Security Administration at and .