International Students & SSN Application Process

After you secure a position on campus, you will receive information and instructions for completing the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. Please note, this Form must be completed prior to your first day of employment.

If you have not received the Form I-9 and instructions, please email Student Employment. 

Obtain the SSN request letter.

• Contact International Programs at isss@ithaca.eduto request an authorization letter you will need to provide to the SSN Office.

Fill out the online SSN application form and print out of the confirmation page after you submit the application online. Take the printout (which has your application reference number) with you to the SSN appointment. Make sure that you enter your complete and correct current address on the application form – that is where the SSN card will be mailed when it is generated.

Watch out for the following sections on the Application for a Social Security Card:

• Section 1, Name - Should be exactly the way your name appears in your passport and on your visa and I-94 Form
• Section 5, Citizenship - check the second box, legal alien allowed to work
• Sections 9 and 10 - Write your parents' names. If you parents have never an SSN in the US leave that section empty.
• Section 16 - Enter your complete and correct address.
• Section 18 - Check the box "Self".

Prepare your SSN application documents. You will need to take these to the SSN application appointment at the local office located at 127 West State Street (second floor), one block away from the Commons. 

Bring the following five (5) documents to the application appointment (unless otherwise instructed by the SSN office):

1. Your passport
2. Your I-20
3. Your I-94 Form (For Canadian passport holders only)
4. the Complete SSN Application Form
5. The Social Security Number Request Letter signed by Student Employment and the Office of International Programs.

The SSN officer will review your documents and will return your passport, I-20 and I-94 Forms. Make sure these are returned to you, and do not leave the office without them. The officer will inform you when your SSN will be mailed to you and will give you an application receipt

The Social Security Office is open 9 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday (except federal holidays). No appointment is necessary. The Social Security Office receives applications on a walk-in basis.

Once you have received your Social Security Number from the Social Security Administration, please bring your SSN Card to the HR office, and provide the number to HR personnel. HR will update your Social Security number in the HR System.