Social Security Number (SSN)

If you are in your first semester at UW–Madison, you are not yet eligible to apply for a SSN if your I-20 “Form Issue Reason” states “Initial Attendance” or “Transfer-Pending.” 

You will become eligible to apply for a SSN within 30 days of the first day of the semester after UW–Madison registers your SEVIS record. 

After UW–Madison registers your SEVIS record, you will receive a new I-20 with “Form Issue Reason” as “Continued Attendance.”  

If you are in your first semester at UW–Madison, you are not eligible to apply for a Social Security Number until UW–Madison validates your J-1 SEVIS record. 

UW–Madison validates all J-1 SEVIS records within 30 days of the first day of the semester.  

Step 1: Are you eligible for a SSN? 

1a. Your I-20 “Form Issue Reason” need to be “Continued Attendance.”

1b. You need a job offer from an on-campus employer.

1c. You need to confirm that your on-campus employment is suitable for F-1 students.

Step 2: How do you apply for a UW–Madison SSN Letter? 

2a. Find the UW–Madison SSN Letter request in Terra Dotta here.

2b. Please confirm that your job offer letter lists the UW–Madison EIN number 39-6006492.

If your employment letter does not list the UW–Madison EIN, then you will need to provide your most recent UW–Madison pay statement as proof of employment.

Step 3: How do you use your UW–Madison SSN Letter to apply for a SSN at the Social Security Administration (SSA)? 

3a. Complete and print out the SS-5 application form.

3b. Complete the Social Security Administration’s online pre-application form and record your application online control number.

3c. Confirm that you have original copies of all the following documents:

-The employment letter from your on-campus job OR the most recent pay statement you have received from your on-campus employer

-Your passport

-Your most recent I-94 record

-Your most recent UW–Madison I-20

-Your completed SS-5 application form from Step 3a

-The application online control number from the Social Security Administration’s online pre-application form in Step 3b

-Your UW–Madison SSN Letter

If UW–Madison issued your SSN Letter more than 30 days ago, it has now expired – you will need to repeat Step 2 and apply for a new UW–Madison SSN Letter.

3d. Bring original copies of all the documents listed above and travel in-person to the nearest SSA office.

Please note: You need to travel in-person to the SSA office within 45 days of completing the SSA’s online pre-application form from Step 3b

Step 4: What do you need to do after the Social Security Administration approves your application and you receive your SSN? 

4a. Take your SSN and form of photo ID such as your passport to 333 E Campus Mall and present it to the Registrar’s Office; this step allows UW–Madison to update your student record.

Step 1: Are you eligible for a SSN? 

1a. You need to be authorized to work off-campus through CPT or OPT. 

Step 2: How do you use your CPT/OPT-authorized I-20 to apply for a SSN at the Social Security Administration (SSA)? 

2a. Complete and print out the SS-5 application form. 

2b. Complete the Social Security Administration’s online pre-application form and record your application online control number. 

2c. Confirm that you have original copies of all the following documents: 

-The employment letter for your off-campus job OR the most recent pay statement you have received from your off-campus employer 

– Your passport 

-Your most recent I-94 record 

-Your most recent UW–Madison I-20 with CPT/OPT authorization 

-Your completed SS-5 application form from Step 2a 

-The application online control number from the Social Security Administration’s online pre-application form in Step 2b 

2d. Bring original copies of all the documents listed above and travel in-person to the nearest SSA office. 

Please note: You need to travel in-person to the SSA office within 45 days of completing the SSA’s online pre-application form from Step 2b 

Step 1: Are you eligible for a SSN? 

1a. If you are currently in your first semester at UW–Madison, you need to confirm that UW–Madison has validated your SEVIS record. 

1b. You need a job offer from an employer. 

1c. You need to be authorized for on-campus employment or academic training. 

1d. Your DS-2019 needs to list your “Program Sponsor” as “University of Wisconsin–Madison.” 

If your DS-2019 lists a “Program Sponsor” that is not “University of Wisconsin–Madison,” you need to directly contact your program sponsor for their written permission for you to participate in employment at UW–Madison. 

Step 2: How do you apply for an employment letter from UW–Madison? 

 2a. Find more information here. 

Step 3: How do you apply for a SSN at the Social Security Administration (SSA)? 

3a. Complete and print out the SS-5 application form. 

3b. Complete the Social Security Administration’s online pre-application form and record your application online control number. 

3c. Confirm that you have original copies of all the following documents: 

-The employment letter from your job OR the most recent pay statement you have received from your employer 

-Your passport 

-Your most recent I-94 record 

-Your most recent UW–Madison DS-2019 

-Your completed SS-5 application form from Step 3a 

-The application online control number from the Social Security Administration’s online pre-application form in Step 3b 

-Your UW–Madison on-campus employment letter, academic training authorization OR the letter of permission from your J-1 program sponsor 

3d. Bring original copies of all the documents listed above and travel in-person to the nearest SSA office. 

Please note: You need to travel in-person to the SSA office within 45 days of completing the SSA’s online pre-application form from Step 3b 

Step 4: What do you need to do after the Social Security Administration approves your application and you receive your SSN? 

4a. Take your SSN and form of photo ID such as your passport to 333 E Campus Mall and present it to the Registrar’s Office; this step allows UW–Madison to update your student record.