Social Security Information

Many classifications permit work and make a visitor eligible for a Social Security number.

However, qualifications vary depending upon your visitor status.

Most importantly, you must be physically in the United States to apply for a number.

Eligibility for a Social Security number

F-1 international students:

• Those offered or working at an on-campus job.
• Those granted curricular practical training employment authorization.
• Those granted optional practical training employment authorization and the validity period has begun on their employment authorization document.

J-1 exchange visitor students:

• Those pursuing their program of study.
• Those granted academic training employment authorization after completion of their program of study.
• Those sponsored by an outside agency should consult with their exchange program sponsor regarding eligibility and documentation.

J-1 exchange visitor scholars:

• Eligible any time up to 15 days before the end date of their program as shown on their DS-2019.

Employment authorization document holders:

• Eligible after the validity of their document has begun and no later than 15 days before the expiration of their document.

How to apply

Complete information is on the Social Security Administration website. Note: We have been informed that the St. Cloud Social Security Office has been experiencing a higher than normal volume of inquiries. Therefore, please anticipate that the wait at the St. Cloud Social Security office may range from an hour to several hours.

Please note: Students may apply for an SSN up to 30 days before the employment start date listed on the employment letter. It is OK to apply fewer than 30 days before the work start date. 

To apply:

• Complete the Application for Social Security Card (Form SS-5, PDF)
  • Type in your answers using the fillable form, print it off, and sign it in blue ink. 
  • Example of completed SS-5
  • IMPORTANT: Current St. Cloud State students should use the CIS address for Number 16 (mailing address) on the SS-5, see example. To help ensure a smoother process in receiving SSN cards, your SSN card will be mailed to CIS. Once the card arrives, we will send an e-mail to your St. Cloud State e-mail to collect it.
• Submit the application and the applicable supporting documents noted in the chart below to:

• • MTC Bus Schedule

Points to remember:

• Wait at least 14 days after arriving in the U.S. to apply for a Social Security number.
• Consult with the Center for International Studies before applying for a number.
• Take all employment documentation.
• Make sure the address on the application is valid and that the applicant's name is on the mailbox.
• Citizens of Canada do NOT need a U.S. visa to apply for a Social Security number.
• F-2 visa holders are NOT eligible to apply for a Social Security number.

Chart Codes: OCE/on-campus employment; CPT/curricular practical training; OPT/optional practical training

Employers and nonimmigrant employees

• Students may begin work and receive pay before receiving their Social Security number.
  • No statutory deadline prevents an employee from continuing to work if the card has not arrived.
• Students must apply for a Social Security number within seven days of beginning work. That may be demonstrated by showing:
  • A copy of the application form submitted.
  • An acknowledgement of receipt provided by the Social Security Administration.
  • A statement signed by the employee.
• If the student does not have a Social Security number, the employer should collect the employee's:
  • full name.
  • address.
  • date of birth.
  • place of birth.
  • father's full name.
  • mother's full maiden name.
  • gender.
  • date he or she applied for a Social Security number.
• If the employee does not have a Social Security number when wage reports (W-2s) are due:
  • Paper filers should enter “Applied For” in Box d.
  • Electronic filers should enter all zeros in the field for the Social Security number.
• Immediately upon receiving their SSN, the employee should report their number to their employer.
• If the employer has already filed a wage report, they must file a Form W-2c (Corrected Wage and Tax Statement) to show the employee’s number.

Sources: Code of Federal Regulations Title 26 – Internal Revenue; Part 31 – Employment Taxes and Collection of Income Tax at Source; U.S. Department of Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs Enforcement; F-1 and M-1 Students: Social Security and Tax Issues, and the Council on International Educational Exchange – Special Section: Social Security and Taxes.