SSN (Social Security Number) is a set of nine digits issued by the Social Security Bureau of the US federal government to citizens, permanent residents and temporary (working) residents. Previous uses were mostly used for tax returns. Taxes reported with their own social security numbers, and so on. Used by taxpayers to receive pensions after retirement. However, the function of social security number has been greatly expanded. It is not only used for tax returns, but also regarded by ordinary people as proof of whether they can work in the United States, so it is called "work permit" by some people (in fact, this is wrong). Now get a driver's license and a social security card; You need a social security card to open an account in a bank and even rent an apartment. Why? Because the social security number has been linked to your own credit. In fact, the social security number has become a good citizen card number. So the social security card or number is very important.

Since SSN is so important, are we international students qualified to get this number? How can we get it?

If you are a student with an F- 1 visa, you must meet any of the following conditions before you can apply for SSN.

At present, you have an on-campus job or a TA/RA job (grantees of scholarships or grants are not allowed to apply for SSN).

ü You have obtained an off-campus work permit (after the start date of CPT or OPT)

If you belong to either of the above two situations, you are eligible to apply for SSN number.

Step 1: If you have an on-campus job or a TA/RA job, you need to get a letter from ISSO (Office of International Students and Scholars), which will state that you are an international student with F- 1 status and that you have an on-campus job or a TA/RA job. If you get an off-campus work permit, you don't need ISSO to issue you a letter.

Step 2: If you have an on-campus job or TA/RA job, you need to get a salary stub from your current on-campus job or TA/RA job, or get a letter from the department that appointed you as TA/RA. If you get an off-campus work permit, you don't need a pay stub or a letter from the department that appointed you as TA/RA.

Letters sent to you by relevant departments need to be printed on different letterheads, and should include the following contents:

ü The letter should begin with the following contents: This is to certify that XXX has been appointed as the position of XXX in this department on a certain day of a certain year. "It is hereby confirmed that [your name] will be [or" yes "] appointed as [your work or assistance], starting from [start date].

A description of the nature of your job (such as researching, sorting out books in the library, serving the school canteen, etc.). ).

List the number of hours you are required to work each week in this job (students can't work more than 20 hours per week in a school year).

ü Identification number of the employer in this department.

ü Contact information of the department's employer, including the name and telephone number of your tutor.

ü Signature, title and date of department head.

Third: At least 10 days after you arrive in the United States, and after your campus work or TA/RA work starts, you can apply for SSN with the materials listed below, and you can get your SSN card within two to three weeks.

Materials needed to apply for SSN

F- 1 student status visa status and work permit issued by ISSO.

ü Payslip issued by on-campus work or letter/off-campus work permit issued by the department that appointed you as TA/RA (for F- 1 international students who have obtained off-campus work permit)

ü Passport

ü I-94 card (white card on passport) or printed record of arrival in the United States from www.cpb.gov/I94..

Under 20 years old

ü http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf Application Form (downloadable from SSA website)

Please note that F- 1 F-2, the family members of international students, is not allowed to apply for SSN. For more information about SSN, please refer to the official website of the Social Security Administration of the General Administration of Social Security.