Social Security Number

On This Page: Social Security Letter Requests for On-Campus Employment • Applying for a Social Security Number with Off-Campus Work Authorization

The SSN is a nine-digit number issued by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for Federal tax purposes only. It does not entitle you to social security benefits and does not change your immigration status or grant employment authorization.

You are only eligible to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN) if you have on-campus employment or authorization to work off campus. If you have on-campus employment, such as a student worker position or graduate assistantship, International Student Services (ISS) will provide you a letter (a Social Security Letter for F-1 students and a J-1 Employment Authorization letter for J-1 students) to take to Social Security Administration (SSA) to apply for your SSN.

Social Security Letter Requests for On-Campus Employment

If you are a new student with on-campus employment, follow the below steps after entering the U.S. and submitting the Check-In e-form in MyGlobal.

Step 1: Obtain proof of employment 

Step 2: Request a Letter from International Student Services through MyGlobal 

Normal processing time is 7 business days. 

Step 3: Apply for a SSN at at the Tucson Social Security Office 

To apply for a SSN, you must submit an application and present the following original documents at the Tucson Social Security Administration Office: 

  • Immigration documents (I-20 or DS-2019, passport, and I-94) 
  • ISS Social Security Letter with original ink signature 
  • University Employer Letter (F-1 students only) with original ink signature 
  • Employment Authorization Letter (J-1 students only) with original ink signature 

You cannot apply for an SSN until 10 days after your initial entry to the U.S., and 2 days after your initial immigration record has been registered in SEVIS. In most cases, you are not required to have a Social Security number before you start work. The Payroll office will still release checks without the SSN, but you must provide a receipt to show you have applied. 

Step 4: Complete E-Verify 

Before you can begin working, your employer will use E-Verify to confirm your employment eligibility. Present your immigration documents to your on-campus employer and complete hiring paperwork upon arrival. 

Step 5: Create a Sprintax Calculus Account 

Check your email to see if a Sprintax Calculus account has already been created for you either by searching for “welcome to Sprintax Calculus” or from noreply@sprintax.com. If you do not have an established account in Sprintax Calculus, after your department completes the new hire process, email the University Payroll Office to request a Sprintax Calculus account.

Sprintax Calculus determines how your university payments should be taxed. You may be taxed incorrectly if you do not have a Sprintax Calculus account. Sprintax Calculus has a different purpose from Sprintax Tax Prep, which is used for the yearly tax filing process. 

After receiving your SSN card, upload a copy to your Sprintax Calculus account and to the Payroll Office.

Applying for a Social Security Number with Off-Campus Work Authorization

If you have been authorized for work off campus (curricular practical training, optional practical training, academic training or severe economic hardship) you do not need to request a letter from ISS before applying at SSA.

  • If you are an F-1 student, on an approved period of curricular practical training, present the 2nd page of your I-20 to show the employment authorization, along with your passport and I-94.
  • If you are an F-1 student on optional practical training or severe economic hardship, present your employment authorization document (EAD) from USCIS, along with your I-20, passport and I-94.
  • If you are a J-1 student on academic training, present your DS-2019 and academic training authorization letter, along with your passport and I-94.