SSN, ITIN, and Taxes
Acquiring a Social Security Number (SSN)
U.S. federal law requires all individuals employed in the U.S. to have a Tax Identification Number: either a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
Of the two types of Tax Identification Numbers, the SSN is the most common. SSNs are a 9-digit number issued to citizens, permanent residents and temporary (working) non-residents by the . Its primary purpose is to track individuals for taxation purposes; it is not intended to be used for identification purposes. Please note that the Social Security Administration will not issue an SSN for the purpose of opening a bank account or obtaining driver’s license or telephone; nor do you need a SSN for these purposes. Dependents with F-2 status are not eligible for an SSN because they are not permitted to work. However, J-2 dependents are eligible to apply for an SSN since they can apply for work authorization.
IMPORTANT: An SSN is not required to begin employment, but must be obtained immediately after being hired. You need a job or a job offer letter to apply for an SSN. After you apply for the SSN and while you wait for your Social Security card to be delivered, your employer can use the letter you receive from the Social Security Administration stating that you applied for an SSN.
Please note that for non-EAD based F-1 student employment (CPT and on-campus employment), the Social Security Administration will not process an application for an SSN if it is more than 30 days in advance of the scheduled employment start date; in the case of EAD-based F-1 employment, the employment start date on the EAD card must already have been reached