Metadata
Title
Social Security Number
Category
international
UUID
e02a155449c344d3ba5a378a3d18c873
Source URL
https://isss.illinois.edu/resources/ssn/
Parent URL
https://isss.illinois.edu/
Crawl Time
2026-03-16T06:24:22+00:00
Rendered Raw Markdown

Social Security Number

Source: https://isss.illinois.edu/resources/ssn/ Parent: https://isss.illinois.edu/

A Social Security number is a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents. International students, faculty, staff, and scholars may obtain a Social Security Numbers (SSN) if they hold employment.

How to Apply

Students should fill out the Request Letter of Eligibility for SSN e-form in iSTART to request the Letter of Eligibility (if applicable) from ISSS. The ISSS office can mail the document to you, or you can collect it from our office. Please note our processing time for this request is one week, and mailing through USPS takes up to one or two weeks. You may also choose to have ISSS mail your document through express mail.

Start Date of Employment for Social Security Number Application. The Social Security office will not accept requests for the Social Security Number for students who are doing CPT if the CPT starts more than 30 days in advance. Please make sure that the employment, either on campus or CPT, starts within 30 days.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR NEW STUDENTS: It takes about two weeks after the semester has started for your SEVIS information to be updated at the Social Security office. You may submit your request for the Letter of Eligibility on I-Start after the tenth day of classes. We have a one-week processing time.

The Social Security Office is only taking appointments. They will no longer accept walk-in applications.

Students (New)

Step 1

Instructions for new international students only:

If you have on-campus employment but do not have a Social Security Number (SSN) yet, you will need contact your hiring department so that they may process your employment paperwork and submit a request to University Payroll and Benefits to issue your TCN (Temporary Control Number). This request must be initiated by your hiring department, not ISSS. Once you have obtained your SSN, it will replace your TCN.

Step 2

Determine your eligibility to apply for a Social Security Number. Students must:

Step 3

Prepare your application materials:

F-1 students are required to be registered for classes to obtain a letter of eligibility. J-1 students whose DS-2019 was not issued by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign must obtain an eligibility letter from their J-1 program sponsor.

Step 4

Apply:

Your Social Security Number is tied to your identity and financial background. To avoid risk of identity theft, take care to keep your Social Security Number secure and private. Do not carry your Social Security card with you (keep it at home, in a safe place) and do not list your Social Security Number on forms or share it with others unless absolutely necessary.

Students (Continuing)

Step 1

Determine your eligibility to apply for a Social Security Number. Students must:

Step 2

Prepare your application materials:

F-1 students are required to be registered for classes to obtain a letter of eligibility. J-1 students whose DS-2019 was not issued by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign must obtain an eligibility letter from their J-1 program sponsor.

Step 3

Apply:

Your Social Security Number is tied to your identity and financial background. To avoid risk of identity theft, take care to keep your Social Security Number secure and private. Do not carry your Social Security card with you (keep it at home, in a safe place) and do not list your Social Security Number on forms or share it with others unless absolutely necessary.

Students on OPT, CPT or AT

Step 1

Determine your eligibility to apply for a Social Security Number. Students must:

Step 2

Prepare your application materials:

Step 3

Apply:

Your Social Security Number is tied to your identity and financial background. To avoid risk of identity theft, take care to keep your Social Security Number secure and private. Do not carry your Social Security card with you (keep it at home, in a safe place) and do not list your Social Security Number on forms or share it with others unless absolutely necessary.

Faculty, Staff and Scholars

Step 1

Determine your eligibility to apply for a Social Security Number:

Step 2

Prepare your application materials:

Step 3

Apply:

Your Social Security Number is tied to your identity and financial background. To avoid risk of identity theft, take care to keep your Social Security Number secure and private. Do not carry your Social Security card with you (keep it at home, in a safe place) and do not list your Social Security Number on forms or share it with others unless absolutely necessary.