SOCIAL SECURITY

Step 1: Determine your Eligibility

First, determine your eligibility for an SSN.

You must first have a job offer from an on-campus employer, or authorization (see the F-1 Employment page) to work off-campus under Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training.

Review the updated Social Security Administration information on what needs to be included in an ISS SSN Letter and Employment Letter to be used to apply for a Social Security Number: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211270

Step 2: Apply for the ISS Letter

Request the Social Security Letter from ISS (you will need a copy of your job offer letter for on-campus employment or most recent pay statement). The SSN Letter Request can be found on Terra Dotta. The ISS Letter is only valid for 30-days for your application for an SSN. If your letter expires, please use the link above to re-request a new ISS Letter from our office.

The Social Security Administration(SSA) Office in Madison will not accept copies of letters. Therefore, we will not provide digital copies of the ISS Letter in Terra Dotta. Please come to the ISS office to pick up the letter or request ISS to send you the letter through the U.S. Postal Service.

Step 3: Pre-Apply with the SSA

The Social Security Administration (SSA) Office in Madison began the process of intaking pre-applications online for students applying for SSNs. Below is a link to the updated online application. If you have additional questions about the application process, you can contact their office. As a reminder, these are recommendations from the local Madison, WI office. Other offices may have different requirements. 

Begin your application for an SSN online at: https://secure.ssa.gov/ossnap/public/landingOSsnap

Step 4: Go to the SSA and Finish your Application In-Person for an SSN

After you have submitted the application in the link below, you must go finish your application in-person within 45-days of submission. You must bring all the original documents listed below:

• Employment letter (This letter must include a “wet” or real signature) or your most recent pay statement
• Passport
• I-94 arrival/departure record (click on Get Most Recent I-94 here)
• I-20
• SS-5 Application Form
• ISS Social Security letter (See Step 2 above)
• If you apply online, bring your application online control number (You will receive this number when you complete the online application in step 3)

Once you have obtained your SSN, take it to the Registrar’s Office, 333 East Campus Mall, to update their records.

Step 1: Determine your Eligibility

First, determine your eligibility for an SSN.

You must be authorized (see the F-1 Employment page) to work off-campus under Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training. You will see this authorization noted on the second page of your I-20 under the Employment Authorization section.

Review the updated Social Security Administration information on what needs to be included in an ISS SSN Letter and Employment Letter to be used to apply for a Social Security Number: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211270

• Your authorization on the second page of your I-20 is the authorization from a DSO you will need to apply for the SSN; there is no requirement for a DSO letter if you are on CPT or OPT. You can use the link above to reference during your SSN appointment, if needed.

Step 2: Pre-Apply with the SSA

The Social Security Administration (SSA) Office in Madison began the process of intaking pre-applications online for students applying for SSNs. Below is a link to the updated online application. If you have additional questions about the application process, you can contact their office. As a reminder, these are recommendations from the local Madison, WI office. Other offices may have different requirements. 

Begin your application for an SSN online at: https://secure.ssa.gov/ossnap/public/landingOSsnap

Step 3: Go to the SSA and Finish your Application In-Person for an SSN

After you have submitted the application in the link below, you must go finish your application in-person within 45-days of submission. You must bring all the original documents listed below:

• Employment letter (This letter must include a “wet” or real signature) or your most recent pay statement
• Passport
• I-94 arrival/departure record (click on Get Most Recent I-94 here)
• I-20 with your CPT or OPT Authorization
• SS-5 Application Form
• If you apply online, bring your application online control number (You will receive this number when you complete the online application in step 2)

Step 1: Determine your Eligibility

First, determine your eligibility for an SSN. You must first have a job offer from an on-campus employer (see the J-1 Employment page).

Review the updated Social Security Administration information on what needs to be included in an Employment Letter to be used to apply for a Social Security Number: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0110211270

Step 2: Apply for the On-Campus Employment Letter 

Get permission to work from the sponsor listed on page 1, Section 2 of your DS-2019. If University of Wisconsin-Madison is your sponsor (program number P-1-00105 listed page 1, Section 2 on your DS-2019), complete the application on Terra Dotta called “On Campus Employment” to apply for the on-campus work permission letter.

The Social Security Administration Office in Madison will not accept copies of letters. Therefore, we will not provide digital copies of the letters in Terra Dotta. Please come to the ISS office to pick up the letter or request ISS to send you the letter through the U.S. Postal Service.

If you have a different sponsor, you will need to procure a permission letter for on-campus employment from them before you can proceed.

Step 3: Pre-Apply with the SSA

The Social Security Administration (SSA) Office in Madison began the process of intaking pre-applications online for students applying for SSNs. Below is a link to the updated online application. If you have additional questions about the application process, you can contact their office. As a reminder, these are recommendations from the local Madison, WI office. Other offices may have different requirements. 

Begin your application for an SSN online at: https://secure.ssa.gov/ossnap/public/landingOSsnap

Step 4: Go to the SSA and Finish your Application In-Person for an SSN

Apply at the Social Security Administration office using the following documents:

• Employment letter (This letter must include a “wet” or real signature) or your most recent pay statement
• Passport
• I-94 arrival/departure record (click on Get Most Recent I-94 here)
• DS-2019
• SS-5 Application Form
• Permission letter from sponsor authorizing you to accept employment (See Step 2 above)
• If you apply online, bring your application online control number (You will receive this number when you complete the online application in step 3)

Once you have obtained your SSN, take it to the Registrar’s Office, 333 East Campus Mall, to update their records.

A Social Security number (SSN) is an identification number that is assigned to people who are authorized to work in the United States. The SSN is used to post wages to Social Security records so workers can become eligible for Social Security benefits. The Social Security Administration will only issue an SSN if you are working, have specific authorization to work, or have a government requirement to be issued an SSN.

Only the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and state tax agency can require your SSN. However, many private service providers in the U.S. such as mobile phone and cable television companies ask you to provide a social security number in order to receive their services.

Legally, these companies cannot require you to provide an SSN. However, because many of these companies have policies and forms that ask for an SSN, they may be difficult to work with if you do not have one. Sometimes, international students encounter problems with these companies due to this issue. Be patient and search for a good company that will provide you the services you need even if you do not have an SSN.

Your UW-Madison SEVIS record must be registered with the federal government before you can apply for your SSN at the Social Security Administration. This will happen no later than 30 days from the program start date as listed on your I-20/DS-2019. For transfer students, we recommend that you wait until your SEVIS record is registered and you have been given an updated I-20 that that says “continued attendance” instead of “transfer pending.”

You can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Please check the following website for more information:

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/individual-taxpayer-identification-number-itin

F-2 dependents are not eligible for an SSN.

J-2 dependents can apply for an SSN if they have work authorization in the United States.

Please speak with an ISS advisor for more details.

No. Lawfully admitted non-citizens can get many benefits and services without having a Social Security number. You do not need a number to purchase savings bonds, conduct business with a bank, register for school or apply for educational tests, obtain private health insurance, apply for school lunch programs or apply for subsidized housing.

To provide a valid SSN or ITIN, please stop by the Office of the Registrar with your Social Security Card and a photo ID. To allow the Office of the Registrar to review, edit or add your SSN electronically, please email us to request a link to a SecuredBox service through which you may share a scan/photo of your Social Security Card.

International students will always see the “Your Social Security Number listed in University Student Records is valid” message in the Student Center Profile under the Social Security Number section; even if they have no SSN on record. International students who are employed by UW-Madison and have an F-1 or J-1 student visa will not be able to manually add their SSN or ITIN through the Student Center.