Social Security Number (SSN)

A Social Security Number (SSN) is a unique identifier used to track payments from work, tax withholding and benefits. Students with F-1 or J-1 student visa status must obtain an (SSN) for employment. Once received, an SSN is connected only to you, is permanent and does not change, and does not expire. Students who do not plan to work while studying are not eligible to receive an SSN.

However, an SSN is NOT work authorization. By itself, it does not grant students any kind of authorization. This page provides the basic steps to apply for an SSN. It assumes that you already have the appropriate work authorization.

Did you recently submit a Form I-765?

You do not need to apply for an SSN again if you already applied through the form I-765 for the following authorizations:

F-1 OPT
F-1 Economic Hardship Employment Authorization
J-2 Employment Authorization

If you did not receive an SSN card within two weeks of the start date of these authorizations, contact ISS immediately.

Important Information for New Incoming, Change of Education Level, or Transfer In Students

All new incoming, change of level, or transfer in students must complete the following steps in order to be eligible to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN):

Arrive in the U.S. on F-1 or J status
Complete the online ISS Immigration Course
Make sure your Current Residence address and phone number appears correctly in your MyUH Portal

The ISS office will have access to register your SEVIS immigration record with the U.S. government once these items are complete. You are not eligible to apply for an SSN until your SEVIS immigration record is registered by the ISS office.

Length of Time

Please be aware that it may take up to 3-10 days for the data in your SEVIS record to transfer to the Social Security Administration office through a system called SAVE:

Up to 10 days after your arrival into the U.S. (as recorded on your I-94 record)
3 days after the activation of your SEVIS immigration record

Please be aware: Due to extra steps in requesting for your SSN and hiring processes, you should plan to bring sufficient funds to pay for housing, food, books and fees until your first paycheck arrives. The pay lag can be up to nine weeks or longer for new international students.

Step 1. Submit a request to ISS

Skip this step if you received any of the following authorizations:

F-1 CPT authorization on page 2 of form I-20
F-1 OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
F-1 Economic Hardship EAD
J-1 On-Campus Employment Authorization Letter
J-1 Academic Training Authorization Letter
J-1 Economic Hardship Authorization Letter
J-2 EAD

In all other cases, ISS must issue a letter that confirms you are eligible for an SSN.

Submit an online request to the ISS Office. Login with your UH username and password.
After logging in, you will need to enter information on the next screen. From the drop-down menu for "Request Type," select "Social Security Number."
Following the directions for uploading documents via UH Filedrop, upload a copy of one of the following:
1. If you are getting general on-campus employment, upload an employer letter [1]; or
2. If you are getting a Graduate Assistantship, upload the offer letter [2]
After submitting the document via UH Filedrop, click "Submit" at the original screen for the online form.
You will receive an email from issstaff@hawaii.edu when your request has been assigned.
You will receive another email when your request has been completed/processed, and instructions to pick up your ISS letter from the ISS Office.
If you are entering the U.S. for the first time an an "Initial" on your F-1 or J-1/J-2 record, or if you are an F-1 transfer or on a pending "change of level," please read the "Important Information for New, Incoming or Transfer In Students" section. ISS must register (activate) your record in the SEVIS database first, then you must wait a certain number of days before applying. See the table in Step 2 under "When to apply."

[1] A template for the employer letter is available on the ISS Forms page. Whether using that template or not, the employer letter for F-1 on-campus employment must contain the following:

1. Offer on employer letterhead
2. Job description
3. Employment start date
4. Number of hours (per week) to be working
5. Employer Identification Number (EIN)
6. Employer contact information, including phone number and immediate supervisor’s name
7. Employment status (i.e., hired)
8. Original (wet ink) signature of employer with signatory’s name, title and date

[2] The graduate assistantship letter must be the officially-recognized UH Manoa contract signed by the dean of the school or college. In lieu of this, an employer letter as described above may be submitted.

Step 3. Collect the required documents

F-1 Students

The type of employment authorization you have will determine the documents you need for your application. Use the table below as a guide.

Type of Work or Authorization	Documents Required	When to Apply
On-Campus Employment (general)	Employer letter ISS certification letter Passport most recent I-94 I-20 Form SS-5	No earlier than 30 days before the employment start date	If you are a newly-arrived "Initial" F-1 student, you must also wait at least 10 days after your U.S. entry and 3 days after your SEVIS activation by the ISS Office. Or, if you are an F-1 transfer or a student with a pending "Change of Level," you must also wait at least 3 days from the date ISS registers (activates) your record in SEVIS for your new program.
On-Campus Employment as a Graduate Assistant	Graduate assistantship offer letter ISS certification letter Passport most recent I-94 I-20 Form SS-5	No earlier than 30 days before the employment start date
On-Campus Employment for a Scholarship or Reduced Tuition	Employer letter ISS certification letter Passport most recent I-94 I-20 Form SS-5	No earlier than 30 days before the employment start date
Curricular Practical Training	I-20 with CPT authorization on page 2 Passport most recent I-94 Form SS-5	No earlier than 30 days before the employment start date
Optional Practical Training	EAD most recent I-94 Form SS-5	On or after the start date of the EAD, if you did not apply for an SSN on the form I-765
Economic Hardship	EAD most recent I-94 Form SS-5	On or after the start date of the EAD, if you did not apply for an SSN on the form I-765

J-1 Students, J-2 Dependent Spouses

If you are a J-1 student, all employment authorizations will require the same documents for your SSN application. Use the table below as a guide.

Type of Work or Authorization	Required Documents	When to Apply
On-Campus Employment (general)	ISS work authorization letter Passport most recent I-94 DS-2019 Form SS-5	Any time within the program start and end dates	If you are a newly-arrived "Initial" J-1 student or J-2 dependent, you must also wait at least 10 days after your U.S. entry and 3 days after your SEVIS activation by the ISS Office.
On-Campus Employment as a Graduate Assistant	ISS work authorization letter Passport most recent I-94 DS-2019 Form SS-5	Any time within the program start and end dates
On-Campus Employment for a Scholarship or Reduced Tuition	ISS work authorization letter Passport most recent I-94 DS-2019 Form SS-5	Any time within the program start and end dates
Academic Training	ISS work authorization letter Passport most recent I-94 DS-2019 Form SS-5	Any time within the program start and end dates
Economic Hardship	ISS work authorization letter Passport most recent I-94 DS-2019 Form SS-5	Any time within the program start and end dates
J-2 Work Authorization	EAD most recent I-94 Form SS-5	On or after start date of EAD, if you did not apply for an SSN on the form I-765

International Student Services

What is a Social Security Number?