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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. 

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.  The OISS approval signifies that your SEVIS record is in Active status.  You cannot complete your I-9 or apply for an SSN until your SEVIS record is Active.
    • If you are coming to the U.S. for the first time on an H-1B visa, this step is not necessary. 
  2. Email HR’s I-9 collection at ini9@lehigh.edu to schedule an I-9 appointment, then fill out your portion of the I-9 and other Payroll forms.  These will be completed by HR and submitted after your appointment. Please find more information about this process on this page of our website.
    • If you don’t yet have a SSN, leave that line blank on the forms!
  3. Follow the instructions below to apply for your SSN. Please begin the process promptly after the submission of your I-9 and other Payroll forms. You can begin working at Lehigh prior to receiving your SSN, but please DO NOT delay applying!
  4. When you receive your SSN card in the mail, please sign your name on it with a pen and use LU Filesender to send a scanned copy to HR (inhro@lehigh.edu) and Payroll (inpayrol@lehigh.edu). 

Section 1

Application Process

To apply for a Social Security Number, you will first complete the online portion of your application. Then, make an appointment at the nearest Social Security office. You will need to bring your immigration documents (detailed further down this page) for the SSA employee to review in order to complete the application. 

  • To begin the SSN application process, first go to ssa.gov
    • Select the “Card & Record” dropdown from the menu along the top.
    • Next, click “Number & Card.”
    • Under the “Number for the First Time” heading, select to request a Social Security Number.
    • On the next screen, click “Get Started” and “Apply Now.”
       
  • In the application, you will be asked for a U.S. mailing address. This is where your SSN card will be mailed, so please use a secure address. You may use OISS’s address (below) if you are still looking for a local residence or are worried about the security of your residential address. 

32 Sayre Drive, Room 104
Bethlehem, PA 18015

  • Later in the online application, you will be asked which documents you will bring to your appointment. There will be a large menu of boxes to check, but if you are on an F-1 or J-1 visa, you will likely only need to check four boxes:
    • Foreign passport
    • I-94 with unexpired foreign passport
    • I-20/DS-2019
    • Other. The other document you will bring will be the Employment Verification Form, detailed later on this page.
      • Scholars on an H-1B visa will also need your I-797 approval notice that shows your H-1B status. 

* If you are applying in order to get a denial letter for a Driver's License or other reason, make an appointment online using “new SSN” as the reason. Bring your passport and I-20/DS-2019 to the appointment. 

Section 2

Appointment Instructions

Once you’ve completed the online portion of your application, you will need to create an account or use an existing one on id.me or the Social Security website. You will use this account to make an appointment to go to a Social Security office and finish your application. Please note your appointment must be within 45 days of completing the online application! 

There is a page in the Social Security Administration appointment system where you will search for the nearest office.  After you select the office you want to go to, available appointment times will appear. Once you’ve made an appointment, you can input an email and/or phone number where you will receive an appointment confirmation and other related updates. 

Keep in mind that Bethlehem’s Social Security Administration office recently moved, and is now only accessible via car or public transportation. The office address is copied below: 

3450 High Point Boulevard, Suite 180 
Bethlehem, PA 18017

Please carefully note the address and hours when visiting a Social Security Office!

 

You should bring the following original documents to your appointment (no photocopies allowed!): 

  • Employment letter from Lehigh University
    • F-1 and J-1 Students: Original Employment Verification Form (filled out by your hiring department) on Lehigh University letterhead signed by your supervisor.  See template here.
    • J-1 Scholars and H-1B Employees: Your appointment letter issued by Lehigh University
  • Printed I-94
  • Original I-20 or DS-2019 with all three pages printed in color. Make sure you sign your name and date at the bottom of P. 1 with a pen.
  • Your passport and visa
  • If on H-1B visa, your I-797 approval notice 
     

**When you receive your SSN card in the mail, please sign your name on it with a pen and use LU Filesender to send a scanned copy to HR (inhro@lehigh.edu) and Payroll (inpayrol@lehigh.edu).**