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Office of International Students and Scholars Life in the U.S. Getting a Social Security Number

An international student or scholar can only apply for a Social Security number (SSN) when they are authorized to work in the United States.

The Social Security Administration issues Social Security Numbers (SSN) for those who meet certain criteria.  You can learn more about applying for an SSN on their website. 

You can begin working at Lehigh prior to receiving your SSN, but you MUST to apply for a SSN once you have completed your payroll forms and received your employment verification letter from your hiring department.  Once you secure on-campus employment and arrive in the US, you must:

  1. Check in with OISS/receive approval for your Arrival Form from OISS.  This means that SEVIS record is now in Active status.  You cannot complete your I-9 or apply for an SSN until your SEVIS record is in Active status.
  2. Fill out the payroll forms.  These can be submitted to your hiring department, to HR at the time of your I-9 appointment, or directly to Payroll via the LU Filesender. 
  3. Follow the instructions below that explain how to apply for your SSN. DO NOT delay in applying for your SSN.
  4. When you receive your SSN, you will send a copy of your Social Security Card to Payroll either in person or via the LU Filesender so they can update your records.

 

You may be able to begin your SSN application online, but to complete the application, you must visit the local Social Security Office. To apply for a SSN, you will need:

  • Application for a Social Security Card - you can start this on the SSA website or complete the application in person.

    • If you are applying in order to get a denial letter for a Driver's License or other reason, at the top of the Social Security Card application, write "Requesting Denial Letter"

  • F-1 and J-1 Students:

    • Original Employment Verification Form (filled out by your hiring department) on Lehigh University letterhead signed by the student's supervisor.  See template here.

  • J-1 scholars:

    • Your appointment letter issued by Lehigh University

  • Copy of your I-94

  • Your original I-20 or DS-2019. If OISS sent your I-20 via e-mail, you MUST print all three pages in color and sign the bottom of P. 1 in ink.

  • Your passport and visa

You may be able to begin the SSN application online.  To complete your application, you must take all of the original documents listed above (no photocopies will be accepted) to the Social Security Office to apply.  You can search using your zip code to find the hours of the Social Security office that you should visit.  The nearest Social Security Administration office to Lehigh's campus recently moved, and now is only accessible via car or public transportation.  Please carefully note the address and hours when looking up the local Social Security Office.

When you receive your card, you must take it to the Payroll Office to complete the processing of your payroll forms. The Payroll Office is located at 306 South New Street, Suite 464.