Social Security Number Application Procedures - Bring Required Documents and Follow SSA Eligibility Steps

Sep 19, 2026

Upload by Marry

Social Security Number Application Procedures for international students outlines SSA eligibility and a step-by-step process to apply for an SSN. SSA accepts applications only when a student is employed or will be employed within 30 days. The procedure requires completed check-in, ACTIVE SEVIS status, full-time registration, and a 10-day waiting period after first entry. It lists required documents including passport, I-94, SEVIS forms, employer and status verification letters, and SS-5, then provides application timing guidance and local office locations with operating hours.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages1

AccessFree to download

Preliminary Requirements

Employment and timing eligibility

SEVIS ACTIVE status and registration

Documentation Requirements

Required identification and immigration records

Employer and status verification letters

SSA application form SS-5

Social Security Office Locations

Office of International Students 365 Fifth Avenue NewYork, NY 10016-4309 212.817.7490 212.817.1626 fax [intstu@gc.cuny.edu](intstu@gc.cuny.edu) [www.gc.cuny.edu](www.gc.cuny.edu) Social Security Number Application Procedures The US Social Security Administration (SSA) will accept an application for a Social Security Number (SSN) only when a student is employed, or will be employed within 30 days of the date of the application. A. Preliminary Requirements 1. All new students must have completed the check-in process at the Office of International Students. 2. All students must be in ACTIVE Status in SEVIS. 3. New students who have arrived in the United States for the first time should wait 10 days after entry before their SEVIS entry records appear in the SSA database. 4. All students must be currently registered full-time at The Graduate Center. B. Documentation Requirements Bring the following documents to the Office of International Students. 1. Valid passport with photograph. 2. I-94 Record. Students may print their I-94 record at [https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/\#/home](https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home) [3](3). SEVIS Form I-20 (F-1 students) or Form DS-2019 (J-1 Students) 4. Employment Verification Letter from the CUNY employer. The letter must be on official letterhead, and must include all of the following information. (See Employer Verification Letter template. ) a. Name of student, b. Type of job, c. Job title, d. Job start date, e. Number of hours per week, f. Employer’s name, address and phone number, g. Employer’s US tax EIN. The EIN number for all of CUNY is 13-3893536, h. Name and title of student’s immediate supervisor, i. Signature and title of person preparing the letter, and j. The date 5. Status Verification Letter from the Office of International Students at The Graduate Center verifying your immigration status and confirming your job on-campus. 6. Social Security Application Form-Form SS-5 is available at: [https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf](https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf) The SSA Office will verify your legal status and eligibility for a Social Security Number. New students will normally have a response from the SSA within two to three weeks. NOTE: Request a Receipt of Application before leaving the Social Security Office. SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE LOCATIONS Manhattan Social Security Card Center-For any address in New York City or the Tri-State area: 123 William Street, 3rd Floor, Southwest Corner Fulton and William Streets Subway 4, 5, 2, 3, A, or C – to Fulton Street/Broadway-Nassau Queens Social Security Card Center: 155-10 Jamaica Avenue, Second Floor Corner of Parsons Boulevard & Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica Brooklyn Social Security Card Center: 154 Pierrepont Street, Sixth Floor, Brooklyn Bronx Social Security Card Center: 820 Concourse Village West, Second Floor, Bronx For addresses outside New York City: Contact the US [SSA at:](SSA at: www.socialsecurity.gov)[ ](SSA at: www.socialsecurity.gov)[www.socialsecurity.gov](SSA at: www.socialsecurity.gov) We advise that you go early in the day to avoid long waits. Social Security Offices are open from 7:00am to 4:00pm Monday through Friday.

FAQs

When will the SSA accept an SSN application for an international student?

SSA accepts an application only when the student is employed or will be employed within 30 days of the application date.

What should new students do after first entry to the United States?

New students should wait 10 days after entry before their SEVIS entry records appear in the SSA database.

What documents are required to submit an SSN application?

Required documents include a valid passport with photograph, I-94 record, SEVIS Form I-20 or DS-2019, an employer employment verification letter, a status verification letter from the Office of International Students, and the SS-5 application form from SSA.

Sep 19, 2026

Upload by Marry