The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and
Social Security Administration (SSA) have implemented the policy that social security numbers are needed for reason of employment. The DHS and SSA are making schools accountable for affirming that students and scholars are in need of a social security number for employment. Thus, in order for F-1 and J-1 students and scholars to receive a social security letter from the International Students and Scholars Office, a student or scholar must have an original employment offer letter.
Students should bring their job offer letter along with completed Request for Social Security Letter form to the ISSO. The student’s social security letter will be ready for pick-up from the ISSO within 2-3 business days of receipt of the Request for Social Security Letter form and employment offer letter.
To apply for a social security number you will need the following:
- original ISSO social security letter
- original employment offer letter
- original non-immigrant documents such as form I-20 or DS-2019, passport, visa, I-94
- completed Social Security Administration Form
Please bring the documents to the local social security office located at 1280 Pontiac Road, Pontiac, MI 48340 and remember to always ask for a receipt. The Social Security Office is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends. For directions to the Social Security Office, see the map.
Please note that F-1 and J-1 students and scholars must wait at least 10 days after entering the United States before submitting a social security card application. Because of the various security checks involved, it may take 6-12 weeks before a new social security number is issued by the SSA.