Social Security
It is not mandatory that F-1 and J-1 students obtain a U.S. Social Security card. Social Security numbers are required for working the United States. Dependents with F-2 visas are not permitted to have Social Security numbers. An F-1 student may work while the Social Security number application is being processed. Employers may wish to reference SSA's fact sheet, Employer Responsibilities When Hiring Foreign Workers. This fact sheet contains information on how to report wages for an employee who has not yet received an SSN. The card arrives within two weeks.
Social Security Offices:
Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM
Locations:
- Suite 190, 6295 Edsall Road, Alexandria, VA 22312
- Suite 301, 8700 Centreville Road, Manassas, VA 20110
- Suite 200, 1401 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22209 (metro: Ballston)
Items to bring:
- Passport
- I-94
- Letter from DSO/ARO (International Student Advisor)
- I-20 or DS-2019
- Assistantship agreement or employment offer letter on letterhead and official signature
Website: http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10181.pdf