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Overview 

Anyone who works in the U.S. must have a Social Security card with a Social Security number. Numbers will only be issued to people who have permission to be employed in the United States. 

For International Students

How to apply 

• The Social Security Administration has a webpage about International Students and Social Security Numbers if you need more information. 
  • Please note: Numbers are not issued for purposes of general identification: Driver's licenses, tax returns, bank accounts, phone service, etc. Bank accounts can be opened by completing IRS Form W-8, Certificate of Foreign Status.
• An in-person interview at an agency office is required to complete the application.
• Please request the required letter from SISS via our iGlobal portal. Submit the Social Security Letter request in the Employment section. 
  • Please allow two weeks for processing. You will be emailed when the letter has been issued.
• Once you have received the letter from SISS, go to the Social Security Administration website to submit an online application for the SSN. At the end of that application, you can schedule your appointment with the Social Security office.
  • Do not submit the SSN application or schedule your appointment until you have received the letter from SISS
  • If you have issues with the online application and appointment system, you can print out the application and call your local office to schedule an appointment.
  • The application requires a mailing address. The SSA cannot accept a hotel or office address. You must provide an address where you reside. The card can only be delivered to the card's applicant or owner.

Required Documentation for F-1 and J-1 Students 

• Valid Passport (must be valid at least 6 months into the future at all times)
• I-94 record
• I-20 (F-1 Students) or DS-2019 (J-1 Students)
• Letter from SISS confirming that you are eligible for employment (Request via the iGlobal portal)
• Proof of employment, such as a confirmation of employment letter or pay stub. If you need a confirmation of employment letter, please request one from your supervisor or department. It must include the following information:
  • Official letterhead
  • Employer's name and address
  • Job title and description
  • Employment start date
  • Number of hours per week
  • Pay rate
  • Supervisor's or department's phone number
  • Signed and dated by supervisor or other department representative
  • Must be a letter confirming employment, not a letter offering employment

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number 

Individual taxpayer identification numbers (ITINs) are nine-digit numbers issued by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to individuals who do not have, and are not eligible to obtain, a Social Security number (SSN).  ITINs are intended for tax use only. 

Who should apply for an ITIN?

• Foreign nationals who are not eligible for a SSN:
• To whom the University wishes to provide reimbursement for expenses;
• Who file a U.S. tax return;
• Who are claimed as dependent on U.S. tax returns;
• Will file a joint U.S. tax return with an U.S. citizen/permanent resident spouse.

How do I apply for an ITIN?

• It is possible to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), which is a nine-digit number issued by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to individuals who are not eligible for an SSN. This number is sometimes useful for other identification purposes. If a student needs an ITIN, refer to the IRS information.
• Please note: Unless a person has received training from the IRS to give tax advice, it is against the law to do so. SISS staff are not allowed to advise on tax matters (including on how to get an ITIN number)

For International Scholars

There are many different reasons why you may need to get a Social Security Card during your time at UC Davis, which includes different needs and policies for International Scholars. SISS staff is here to help answer any questions you may have in understanding how to navigate the system as a foreign national.

How to apply 

Anyone who receives income from a U.S. source must have a Social Security card with a Social Security number (SSN). The number is optional for J-1 scholars who do not receive income from a U.S. source. All applicants should wait a minimum of 10 days after completing and submitting the iGlobal check-in eFrom to SISS before applying for an SSN.

Submit an application online at the Social Security website, and schedule an appointment with your local Social Security office at the end of the application. To obtain a Social Security number, J-1 international scholars and other non-immigrant employees must complete the Application to Obtain a Social Security Card and present it at the social security office, along with the original documents listed below, and copies of those documents that the social security official can keep:

• A valid passport
• I-94 record
• DS-2019 (J-1 scholars) or I-797 Approval Notice (H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1 scholars)
• The Invitation Letter or Letter of Appointment from your department at UC Davis. No letter from SISS is needed unless you are an undergraduate researcher in the J non-degree category.

For J-2 Dependents

J-2 dependents are not eligible for an SSN unless they have applied for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and received a work permit card. The EAD is a work permit that can be granted by the USCIS. Please refer to Work Authorization for J-2 Dependents for instructions and information about obtaining a permit.

For J-2 dependents who do not have work authorization, it is possible to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), which is a nine-digit number issued by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to individuals who are not eligible for an SSN. This number is sometimes useful for other identification purposes. If a J-2 dependent needs an ITIN, refer to the IRS information

Social Security Taxes 

For Students 

• Although you need a Social Security card in order to be employed, F-1 and J-1 visa holders may be excluded from Social Security coverage according to the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961.  This means that neither you nor your employer has to make Social Security payments.  To make sure that your employer understands that Social Security deductions should not be made from your salary, you may refer your employer to IRS Publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens.
• If payment has already been deducted from your wages, you should ask your employer to send IRS Form 941C together with a copy of your form I-94 to the Internal Revenue Service Center where the employer files the tax return.  The employer should refund your half of the Social Security deduction and ask you to verify that you have received this sum so that the Internal Revenue Service may reimburse the employer.  If the employer does not refund your portion of the Social Security payment, you should contact the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-829-1040.

For Scholars

• Although you need a Social Security number in order to be employed, J-1 scholars may be excluded from Social Security taxes according to the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. This means that it is possible that neither you nor your employer has to make Social Security payments. If you have a J-1 scholar status and you are paid by UC Davis, please contact our Payroll Office to find out if you will be required to have Social Security deductions from your paycheck. Please do this PRIOR to your first paycheck.

Social Security Office Locations

Applications for Social Security cards may be made in person at the following Social Security Offices. Schedule an appointment with your SSN application at ssa.gov or by phone before visiting the office.

Yolo County residents should go to the West Sacramento office (Davis and Woodland are in Yolo County).

Sacramento County residents should go to the Sacramento office.

For directions to other Social Security offices, go to the Social Security website and click on Find an Office to find the location, a map and the hours that office is open.