We also need to see evidence of that
employment, such as a recent pay slip or a letter
from your employer. Your supervisor must sign
and date the employment letter. This letter must
describe:
• Your job.
• Your employment start date.
• The number of hours you are, or will be,
working.
• Your supervisor’s name and telephone
number.
If you’re an F-1 student authorized to work in
curricular practical training (CPT), you must
provide us your Form I-20. The employment
page must be completed and signed by your
school’s designated ofcial.
If you’re an F-1 or M-1 student and have a work
permit (Form I-766) from the DHS, you must
present it.
If you’re a J-1 student, student intern, or
international visitor, you must provide a letter
from your sponsor. The letter should be on
sponsor letterhead with an original signature
that authorizes your employment.
We cannot process your application if:
• Your on-campus or CPT work begins more
than 30 days from your application date.
• The employment start date on your work
permit from the DHS (Form I-766) is a
future date.
Age
You must present your foreign birth certicate if
you have it or can get it within 10 business days.
If you can’t present your foreign birth certicate,
we can consider other documents, such as your
passport or a document issued by the DHS, as
evidence of your age.
Identity
We can only accept certain documents as proof
of identity. An acceptable document must be
current (not expired) and show your name,
identifying information, and preferably, a recent
photograph. We will ask to see your current
unexpired foreign passport with DHS issued
immigration documents.
All documents must be either originals or
copies certied by the issuing agency. We
cannot accept photocopies or notarized
copies of documents. We also cannot
accept a receipt showing you applied for
the document. We may use one document
for two purposes. For example, we may use
your admission stamp in the unexpired foreign
passport as proof of both work eligibility
and identity.
We don’t require you to have an SSN before
you start work. However, the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) requires employers to report
wages using an SSN. While you wait for your
SSN, your employer can use a letter from
us stating that you applied for a number.
Your employer may use your immigration
documents as proof of your authorization
to work in the United States. Employers
can nd more information on the Internet at
www.ssa.gov/employer/hiring.htm.
Contacting Us
The most convenient way to do business with
us is to visit www.ssa.gov to get information
and use our online services. There are several
things you can do online: apply for most types
of benets; start or complete your request for
an original or replacement Social Security card;
nd publications; and get answers to frequently
asked questions.
Or, you can call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213
or at 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) if you’re deaf or
hard of hearing. We can answer your call from
8 a.m. to 7 p.m., weekdays. We provide free
interpreter services upon request. For quicker
access to a representative, try calling early in
the day (between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. local time)
or later in the day. We are less busy later in
the week (Wednesday to Friday) and later in
the month. You can also use our automated
services via telephone, 24 hours a day, so you
do not need to speak with a representative.
Social Security Administration
Publication No. 05-10181
January 2024 (Recycle prior editions)
International Students and Social Security Numbers
Produced and published at U.S. taxpayer expense
Printed on recycled paper