What is a Social Security Number (SSN)? It is a 9 digit number issued to American citizens, permanent, or temporary residents of the United States. It serves as an identification number whose aim is to track individuals for taxation purposes. The simple concept is that when you work you pay tax dollars into Social Security, which uses that tax money to pay benefits to people who have been retired, people who are disabled, survivors of workers who have died, dependants of beneficiaries.
There are three types of Social Security Cards. The one that will be issued to you is the one that reads, NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT. The one that is generally issued to individuals with work authorization either through work visa or permit read like: VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION. These cards are generally required to be presented as a proof of authorized work. The last type and the most common is the card issued to citizens, which only reads the number and cardholders name.
As an international student holding a job on-campus this is what you have to do to get a social security number. First you must get a letter from your employer with his/her written job offer (Job title and amount to be paid). Then you must also get a letter from your institutions International Students office. With these two items and your passport with your U.S. visa, you can check your local social security office and present your papers. There you will be asked to fill out a form and your social security card should be issued and mailed to you in about two weeks. It is important that you first consult your International Students office because there they will tell you about any changes in the requirements and might even give you the address of where to go and exactly what to do to get your Social.
