Students entering the US for the first time in F or J student status should wait until you are in the United States for at least 10 days before you apply for a Social Security number. Transfer students from another US school must be registered first for classes and then in SEVIS by ISSS before applying. If your SEVIS record is not "active" the Social Security office will not be able to verify your status with the USCIS.

To be eligible for to apply for a social security number you must

• have employment

• obtain the ISSS “social security letter” - the letter must be completed by your current employer

• your current employer should

  • click on the social security letter link above.

  • fill in the form (your name, job title etc)

  • print the form on their letterhead

  • your supervisor signs the form

  • You bring the letter to the ISSS during walk-in hours for a signature by one of the the ISSS staff

Once you've obtained the letter from the ISSS, you can submit your application to the Office of Social Security. You must apply in person.

• Complete an Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5). See www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html / You must bring your original passport, I-20/DS-2019 and I-94 card.

• Take your completed application and original documents to your local Social Security office.

• There is a Social Security Administration office located at

  SOCIAL SECURITY
  2 PENN CTR STE 2000A
  1500 JFK BLVD 20TH FL
  PHILADELPHIA, PA 19102

  . They are open from 9 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday. You do not need an appointment – please just walk in. You can also find additional office at https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/fo001.jsp

• To prove your immigration status, you must show us:  

• I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, issued to you when you arrived in the United States.

• I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (F1 Visa Holders)

• DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status.  (J1 Visa Holders)

• Letter from www.temple.edu/isss/pdfs/socialsecuritytemplate.doc which has been signed by your supervisor as well as  an International Student Advisor

After submitting your application, be sure to obtain a receipt to prove that you have applied. You should receive the SSN card within one to two months.

You will need to speak with Human Resources in order to use the receipt from Social Security to begin receiving payments from Temple. Once you receive the actual Social Security card you will need to contact HR again so that they can change the temporary SS# to your actual Social Security number.

If you do not receive the card within 60 days, return to the Social Security office to inquire or call the toll-free (800) phone number below. Do NOT apply for a second card; you should have only one SSN in your lifetime. If you continue to experience difficulties obtaining the card, contact ISSS

Although the SSN will be requested during many daily activities such as banking, utilities, phones, etc., it is only required for employment. For purposes other than employment, ask the service provider about acceptable alternative ID numbers.