Applying for an SSN

You can find this form on our website. This form verifies your job offer and your valid immigration status. Section I of this form must be completed by you. Section II of this Form must be completed by your prospective supervisor. An electronic signature is acceptable. Upload the on-campus employment form to our document upload portal. We will review, sign the form, and return back to you.

You can find this form online. For Item #5, select "Legal Alien Allowed to Work."

Important instructions once the On-campus employment form is completed: Please note that these instructions are subject to change, due to the Social Security Administration (SSA) recent changes in COVID-19 protocol and procedure with SSA in-person appointments. 

We recommend the SSA Office in Framingham, as it is the nearest location to campus. 

1. Students are required to make copies of the following documents: On-campus employment form, Social Security Number application, copy of most recent I-94, copy of visa, copy of passport, copy of I-20. Do not mail the original documents, as students will need these original documents with them for the in-person appointment. You can make copies in Clapp Library. If you need assistance, please contact a librarian to help you.
2. Students must mail these documents to the SSA Office. You can purchase stamps and envelopes from the Mail Services window in Lulu Wang Campus Center. The Framingham SSA Office mailing address is:
   Social Security Office
   1st Left Off Suite #101
   1 Clarks Hill
   Framingham, MA 01702
3. After the documents are received and approved, the SSA Office will contact the student directly to set up an in-person appointment.
4. Students must notify their Residential Community Director of the off-campus appointment for the purpose of applying for a Social Security Number and student employment authorization. 
5. Students must then go to the SSA Office with the original documents and apply for the SSN number. 
6. Although the SSA office is currently closed for walk-in appointments, there is an official that will retrieve the documents. The student will need to wait outside and then the documents will be returned to them.

Note: Students who have on-campus employment cannot apply for a social security number more than 30 days in advance of their employment start date. For more information go to www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnvisa or call 1-800-772-1213

You can find this form online. For Item #5, select "Legal Alien Allowed to Work."

The Cover Letter should include the following information:

• Your legal name (as it appears on your passport)
• Phone number
• Your address (either on-campus or off-campus)
• Your Wellesley email address
• A description stating applying for SSN for the purpose of CPT

You can see a sample letter here.

Important instructions once the On-campus employment form is completed: Please note that these instructions are subject to change, due to the Social Security Administration (SSA) recent changes in COVID-19 protocol and procedure with SSA in-person appointments. 

We recommend the SSA Office in Framingham, as it is the nearest location to campus. 

1. Students are required to make copies of the following documents:CPT Employer Letter, Social Security Number application, Cover Letter, copy of most recent I-94, copy of visa, copy of passport, copy of I-20. Do not mail the original documents, as students will need these original documents with them for the in-person appointment. You can make copies in Clapp Library. If you need assistance, please contact a librarian to help you.
2. Students must mail these documents to the SSA Office. You can purchase stamps and envelopes from the Mail Services window in Lulu Campus Wang Center. The Framingham SSA Office mailing address is:
   Social Security Office
   1st Left Off Suite #101
   1 Clarks Hill
   Framingham, MA 01702
3. After the documents are received and approved, the SSA Office will contact the student directly to set up an in-person appointment.
4. Students must notify their Residential Community Director of the off-campus appointment for the purpose of applying for a Social Security Number and student employment authorization. 
5. Students must then go to the SSA Office with the original documents and apply for the SSN number. 
6. Although the SSA office is currently closed for walk-in appointments, there is an official that will retrieve the documents. The student will need to wait outside and then the documents will be returned to them.

Note: Students who are on CPT cannot apply for a Social Security number more than 30 days in advance of the employment start date.

You can apply for a Social Security Number on Form I-765 when you apply for OPT.

You should receive your card 10-14 business days after receiving your EAD. If you do not receive a Social Security card, you must go to a Social Security Office in person to apply.

You can find this form on our website. This form verifies your job offer and your valid immigration status. Section I of this form must be completed by you. Section II of this Form must be completed by your prospective supervisor. An electronic signature is acceptable. Upload the on-campus employment form to our document upload portal. We will review, sign the form, and return back to you.

Please note that your employment start date must be at least 5 business days into the future to allow adequate time for processing.

You can find this form online. For Item #5, select "Legal Alien Allowed to Work."

Important instructions once the On-campus employment form is completed: Please note that these instructions are subject to change, due to the Social Security Administration (SSA) recent changes in COVID-19 protocol and procedure with SSA in-person appointments. 

We recommend the SSA Office in Framingham, as it is the nearest location to campus. 

1. Scholars are required to make copies of the following documents: On-campus employment form, Social Security Number application, copy of most recent I-94, copy of visa, copy of passport, copy of DS-2019. Do not mail the original documents, as students will need these original documents with them for the in-person appointment. You can make copies in Clapp Library. If you need assistance, please contact a librarian to help you.
2. Scholars must mail these documents to the SSA Office. You can purchase stamps and envelopes from the Mail Services window in Lulu Wang Campus Center. The Framingham SSA Office mailing address is:
   Social Security Office
   1st Left Off Suite #101
   1 Clarks Hill
   Framingham, MA 01702
3. After the documents are received and approved, the SSA Office will contact the student directly to set up an in-person appointment.
4. If the scholar resides on-campus, they must notify their Residential Community Director of the off-campus appointment and for the purpose of applying for a Social Security Number & employment authorization. 
5. Scholars must then go to the SSA Office with the original documents and apply for the SSN number. 
6. Although the SSA office is currently closed for walk-in appointments, there is an official that will retrieve the documents. The scholar will need to wait outside and then the documents will be returned to them.

Note: Students who have on-campus employment cannot apply for a social security number more than 30 days in advance of their employment start date. For more information go to www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnvisa or call 1-800-772-1213

You can find this form online. For Item #5, select "Legal Alien Allowed to Work."

Important instructions once the On-campus employment form is completed: Please note that these instructions are subject to change, due to the Social Security Administration (SSA) recent changes in COVID-19 protocol and procedure with SSA in-person appointments. 

We recommend the SSA Office in Framingham, as it is the nearest location to campus. 

1. Scholars are required to make copies of the following documents: Academic Training authorization letter, Social Security Number application, copy of most recent I-94, copy of visa, copy of passport, copy of DS-2019. Do not mail the original documents, as students will need these original documents with them for the in-person appointment. You can make copies in Clapp Library. If you need assistance, please contact a librarian to help you.
2. Scholars must mail these documents to the SSA Office. You can purchase stamps and envelopes from the Mail Services window in Lulu Wang Campus Center. The Framingham SSA Office mailing address is:
   Social Security Office
   1st Left Off Suite #101
   1 Clarks Hill
   Framingham, MA 01702
3. After the documents are received and approved, the SSA Office will contact the student directly to set up an in-person appointment.
4. If the scholar resides on-campus, they must notify their Residential Community Director of the off-campus appointment and for the purpose of applying for a Social Security Number & employment authorization. 
5. Scholars must then go to the SSA Office with the original documents and apply for the SSN number. 
6. Although the SSA office is currently closed for walk-in appointments, there is an official that will retrieve the documents. The scholar will need to wait outside and then the documents will be returned to them.

Note: Students who have on-campus employment cannot apply for a social security number more than 30 days in advance of their employment start date. For more information go to www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnvisa or call 1-800-772-1213

If you will be employed on or off-campus, receiving a fellowship or stipend through Payroll, you will need to obtain a Social Security number.

No. Although an SSN may be requested by banks, utility companies, phone companies, etc. A SSN is only required for employment. An SSN is not required to obtain a driver’s license, or file federal tax Form 8843.

It depends on your employer. With some employers, you may work while your SSN application is being processed. However, without an SSN, a paycheck cannot be issued. Do not forget to ask for a receipt from the SSA in order to prove to your employer that you have applied for your SSN. You must have at least applied for an SSN before you begin working any job.

F-1and J-1 students and scholars with a job offer can apply for an SSN no earlier than 10 business days after entery to the United States. An SSN cannot be issued for on-campus employment or for authorized CPT if the start date for the employment is more than 30 days into the future. Individuals applying for an SSN based on OPT approval may not apply until after the start date listed on the Employment Authorization Card (EAC).

The SSA must verify your documents with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) before assigning you an SSN. After receiving verification from DHS, SSA will mail your Social Security card. You should receive your card within 10-14 days. If you do not receive the card within 30 days, return to the social security office to inquire about the status of your application.

You can replace your card for free if it is lost or stolen. To get a replacement card, you must take the same original documentation that you used when you first applied for an SSN to the local Social Security office, including proof of on-campus job or off-campus employment authorization (CPT, OPT). On the SSN application, you should indicate that you are applying for a replacement. Your replacement card will have the same name and number as your previous card.