Social Security
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A Social Security Number (SSN) is a nine-digit number issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration, an agency of the United States government. It is used primarily by employers and employees for tax-reporting purposes. Once you receive a Social Security Number (SSN), it will remain yours for life, and you will never need to apply for a new one.
Note that a PennID number is not an SSN, and is for internal use only.
You will need to apply for a Social Security number if you will hold employment in the US, including on-campus positions. The employer will use your Social Security number to withhold taxes on earnings and you will need it to file a tax return.
International students and scholars need to have authorized employment to apply for a Social Security number.
No. You must appear in person at the Philadelphia Social Security Administration office.
You are eligible to apply for an SSN once both of the following criteria have been met:
- You arrived in the US under your most recent visa status at least 10 business days ago; and
- Your SEVIS record has been validated/registered by ISSS
Once you receive your Social Security Card (approximately 2-6 weeks via mail), UPDATE the following:
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F-1 and J-1 students: Your university records (i.e. the registrar and tax office)
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All: Your personal records (banks, employer, etc.)
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SCHOLARS: if employed at Penn you must also update your department’s business administrator and corporate tax officer
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A Social Security number will only be granted if it is needed for employment purposes. If you are not eligible for an SSN, please review Handling Practical Matters without a Social Security Number.
Gather the Required Documents
Click on the titles below to view what documents you will need to apply for a Social Security number.
NOTE: All F-1 and J-1 Social Security number applicants must complete and print out the Social Security Card application (Form SS-5). For your appointment, you must also bring your original signed ISSS SSN Support Letter (you must schedule a pickup at the ISSS office) and an original signed copy of the On-Campus Work Authorization form (if applicable).
On-Campus Employment (Students)
- Social Security Card application (Form SS-5)
- Social Security: On-Campus Work Authorization for F-1 and J-1 Students
- Only required if you do not already have a previously issued number from the Social Security Administration.
- You will complete Part A, while the hiring department will complete Parts B and C. Note: You must obtain an original signature on this form from your hiring department.
- Submit the completed form via the Social Security Letter Request for On-Campus Employment e-form in iPenn.
- ISSS Social Security Letter (request this letter via the Social Security Letter Request for On-Campus Employment e-form in iPenn)
- Note: You must pick up an original signed copy of this document at the ISSS office.
- J-1 students only: In addition to the Social Security Letter Request above, J-1 students must also submit a J-1 Student: On-Campus Employment Authorization Request and the corresponding eform in iPenn.
- I-20 or DS-2019
- Passport, visa stamp, printout of I-94 record
- Letter from On-Campus Employer (optional)
Off-Campus Employment (Students)
- For F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT):
Note: Your application will not be processed more than 30 days in advance of the CPT employment start date.-
I-20, endorsed for CPT
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Passport, visa stamp, printout of I-94 record
- For F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT):
Note: Your application will not be processed until the employment start date on the OPT EAD card has been reached.-
I-20, endorsed for OPT
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Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
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Passport, visa stamp, printout of I-94 record
- For J-1 Student Academic Training (AT):
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ISSS Academic Training Authorization Letter
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DS-2019, endorsed for Academic Training
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Passport, visa stamp,printout of I-94 record
H-1B, O-1, TN, E-3
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Employment Offer Letter
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Original I-797 Approval (TN and E-3 will only have I-797 if case is processed by USCIS in the US instead obtaining status upon entry to US)
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Passport, visa (stamp), I-94 card (if issued paper I-94) or printout of I-94 record (if issued electronic I-94)
J-1 Scholars & Student Interns
J-1 Scholars (Research Scholar, Professor, Short-term Scholar)
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DS-2019
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Passport, visa (stamp), printout of I-94 record
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Appointment Letter from Hiring Department
J-1 Student Interns
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Social Security Letter completed and signed by ISSS (submit request in iPenn under "Social Security Letter Request for J-1 Scholars). ISSS will only issue an SSN Support Letter if the J-1 Student Intern is employed by the University of Pennsylvania and being paid.
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DS-2019
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Passport, visa (stamp), printout of I-94 record
-
Appointment Letter from Hiring Department
On-Campus Employment (Students)
- Social Security Card application (Form SS-5)
- Social Security: On-Campus Work Authorization for F-1 and J-1 Students
- Only required if you do not already have a previously issued number from the Social Security Administration.
- You will complete Part A, while the hiring department will complete Parts B and C. Note: You must obtain an original signature on this form from your hiring department.
- Submit the completed form via the Social Security Letter Request for On-Campus Employment e-form in iPenn.
- ISSS Social Security Letter (request this letter via the Social Security Letter Request for On-Campus Employment e-form in iPenn)
- Note: You must pick up an original signed copy of this document at the ISSS office.
- J-1 students only: In addition to the Social Security Letter Request above, J-1 students must also submit a J-1 Student: On-Campus Employment Authorization Request and the corresponding eform in iPenn.
- I-20 or DS-2019
- Passport, visa stamp, printout of I-94 record
- Letter from On-Campus Employer (optional)
Off-Campus Employment (Students)
- For F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT):
Note: Your application will not be processed more than 30 days in advance of the CPT employment start date.-
I-20, endorsed for CPT
-
Passport, visa stamp, printout of I-94 record
- For F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT):
Note: Your application will not be processed until the employment start date on the OPT EAD card has been reached.-
I-20, endorsed for OPT
-
Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
-
Passport, visa stamp, printout of I-94 record
- For J-1 Student Academic Training (AT):
-
ISSS Academic Training Authorization Letter
-
DS-2019, endorsed for Academic Training
-
Passport, visa stamp,printout of I-94 record
H-1B, O-1, TN, E-3
-
Employment Offer Letter
-
Original I-797 Approval (TN and E-3 will only have I-797 if case is processed by USCIS in the US instead obtaining status upon entry to US)
-
Passport, visa (stamp), I-94 card (if issued paper I-94) or printout of I-94 record (if issued electronic I-94)
J-1 Scholars & Student Interns
J-1 Scholars (Research Scholar, Professor, Short-term Scholar)
-
DS-2019
-
Passport, visa (stamp), printout of I-94 record
-
Appointment Letter from Hiring Department
J-1 Student Interns
-
Social Security Letter completed and signed by ISSS (submit request in iPenn under "Social Security Letter Request for J-1 Scholars). ISSS will only issue an SSN Support Letter if the J-1 Student Intern is employed by the University of Pennsylvania and being paid.
-
DS-2019
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Passport, visa (stamp), printout of I-94 record
-
Appointment Letter from Hiring Department
Once you have gathered the required documents (including Form SS-5 and original signed copies of your ISSS SSN Support Letter and On-Campus Work Authorization form, if applicable), you will need to take your completed application packet to a local Social Security Administration (SSA) office to finalize your application. Be sure to ask for a receipt to verify your submission.
Philadelphia SSA Office |
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| Address | 2 Penn Center, Suite 2000B, 1500 JFK Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19102 |
| Phone Number | 1-877-541-5846 |
| Hours | Monday–Friday, 9 am – 4 pm |
| Website | https://www.ssa.gov/phila/ |
Location of the Philadelphia SSA Office
Handling Practical Matters Without a Social Security Number
There are a variety of services you can obtain without having a Social Security number.
PLEASE NOTE: these details are for informational purposes only. Requirements are subject to change without notice.
Opening a Bank Account
This is not an exclusive list of banking options.
Commerce Bank, Citizens Bank, PNC Bank, Student Federal Credit Union:
Present the following documents in place of a SSN:
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A valid passport
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A valid Penn ID
Be sure to contact a representative of the bank for the most up to date information on opening an account. For more information on banking visit the Financial Matters section of our site.
Off-Campus Housing
Present the following documents in place of a SSN:
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A valid passport
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A letter of acceptance from your school
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A copy of your I-20/DS-2019 to prove financial resources
For more information visit the Housing section of this site.
PA Driver's License/State ID
Present the following documents in place of a SSN:
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A valid passport
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I-94 card
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Visa
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A letter of denial/indecision from the Philadelphia Social Security Card Center
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An I-20/DS-2019 with a program end date that is at least one year away
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Two proofs of residency (see ISSS’s Obtaining a Pennsylvania Driver’s License or ID Card handout)
For more information consult the PennDOT Fact Sheet and the PA Driver's License section of our site.
PECO Energy Company
Present the following documents in place of a SSN at PECO's office located at 23rd and Market Street:
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A valid passport
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A valid Penn ID
Cell Phone
Be sure to contact a representative of the cell phone company for the most up to date information on what documents are needed to obtain a cell phone.
Opening a Bank Account
This is not an exclusive list of banking options.
Commerce Bank, Citizens Bank, PNC Bank, Student Federal Credit Union:
Present the following documents in place of a SSN:
-
A valid passport
-
A valid Penn ID
Be sure to contact a representative of the bank for the most up to date information on opening an account. For more information on banking visit the Financial Matters section of our site.
Off-Campus Housing
Present the following documents in place of a SSN:
-
A valid passport
-
A letter of acceptance from your school
-
A copy of your I-20/DS-2019 to prove financial resources
For more information visit the Housing section of this site.
PA Driver's License/State ID
Present the following documents in place of a SSN:
-
A valid passport
-
I-94 card
-
Visa
-
A letter of denial/indecision from the Philadelphia Social Security Card Center
-
An I-20/DS-2019 with a program end date that is at least one year away
-
Two proofs of residency (see ISSS’s Obtaining a Pennsylvania Driver’s License or ID Card handout)
For more information consult the PennDOT Fact Sheet and the PA Driver's License section of our site.
PECO Energy Company
Present the following documents in place of a SSN at PECO's office located at 23rd and Market Street:
-
A valid passport
-
A valid Penn ID
Cell Phone
Be sure to contact a representative of the cell phone company for the most up to date information on what documents are needed to obtain a cell phone.
