International Student Services | J-1 Scholar SSN Application

J-1 Scholar SSN Application

How do I apply for a Social Security Number

Individuals in J-1 Scholar status are eligible to apply for a Social Security Number at any time, though note that you should wait at least 10 days after you arrive in the US to apply. You are considered a scholar if box 4 on your DS-2019 indicates either "Professor," "Research Scholar," "Short-Term Scholar," or "Specialist." Recommended documents to apply for the SSN include the following:

Passport
J-1 visa stamp (in passport)
ACTIVE DS-2019
蘑菇视频 Offer Letter / Invitation Letter from department
SSN Letter from 蘑菇视频 ISGSS

Step 1: Be in the U.S. for 10 Days with 'Active' Record

If you are in F-1, H-1B or J-1 status, the data that con铿乺ms your status and the fact that you are eligible for a Social Security Number must be accessed online by the agent of the Social Security Administration (SSA) at the time you apply. The data will not travel from the Immigration Service to the SSA database until two conditions apply:

You must have been in the U.S. for at least 10 days. It may take up to 10 days after any entry into the U.S. for the SSA system to be updated with your entry information. Note that this applies to any re-entry to the U.S., including returning from a vacation, when you receive a new I-94 entry record/number.
If you hold F-1 or J-1 status, you must be "registered" or "validated" in SEVIS. When you 铿乺st arrive in the U.S. for your new program/job, you must check in with ISGSS. In most cases, this is accomplished through an online check-in. When this check-in procedure is completed, we register/ validate your record in SEVIS. This con铿乺ms that you have arrived at 蘑菇视频. It will take about 3 days for your registration to be updated in the SSA system.
As long as you checked in with ISGSS when you 铿乺st arrived on your current immigration status, your record will be 'active' or 'validated'. You do not need to con铿乺m with ISGSS unless you have a special circumstance.

Step 2: Obtain Proof of Employment Eligibility

NOTE: For J-1 Scholars, this does not apply to you.

Step 3: Go to a Social Security Administration Office

To apply for an SSN, you must go to a Social Security Administration (SSA) office in person. First, make an appointment to ensure you will be able to be assisted when you arrive. We recommend using the Joliet Houbolt Rd. SSA Office.

Locating an SSA Office
To 铿乶d the nearest Social Security Office, you can enter your zip code in the. The closest SSA Office to 蘑菇视频 is the Joliet Office:
552 Houbolt Rd
Joliet, IL 60431.

Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM. Phone Number: (866) 783-7302

Documents to Bring to your Appointment

After making your appointment, go to the SSA Office at your designated appointment time. At the SSA Office, you must present the following original documents:

Completed or click for the online form
Valid Passport
J-1 Visa sticker (found in your passport)
Printout of current I-94 electronic record
Valid Form DS-2019
Proof of employment and work authorization, as indicated below:
- Employment/ Appointment Letter from 蘑菇视频
J-1 Scholar ONLY: No other proof of employment is required, but you may be asked for documentation, regardless. Some J-1 scholars have reported that they were asked for such a letter when applying for a SSN. Should you be asked for such a letter, please indicate that you are a J-1 Scholar and do not need a letter. Should the official at the SSA insist, please ask to speak with a supervisor. The supervisor will likely be familiar with the relevant regulations and policies, which are addressed in Section RM 00203.480 C1 of the Program Operations Manual System (POMS) which is the SSA policy manual. This section states that "[a]n individual who presents a valid Form DS-2019 with one of the [aforementioned] categories [as] identi铿乪d in Item 4 of the Form is presumed to have work authorization and does not require a sponsor letter.

Step 4: Obtain a Receipt, Wait for your SSN Card

Anyone applying for a Social Security Number will receive a "receipt," consisting of a form letter con铿乺ming that you have submitted an application. (If the official does not give it to you automatically, please ask for it.) There are three different versions of this receipt, depending on circumstances:

Your application is accepted and will take 10-14 days
Your application is under processing and may take 1-3 months for review
Your application has been rejected

If you receive a receipt notice (scenarios 1 and 2, above) you are eligible to begin approved work. Show a copy of your receipt notice to your employer.

For more information, please see the following SSA publications:

Please contact the 蘑菇视频 Office of International Student and Global Scholar Services at ISGSS@lewisu.edu for any questions about this process.