Office of International
Students & Scholars
International Center
421 Temple Street
New Haven, CT 06511
USA

Phone: 203.432.2305
Fax: 203.432.7166
email: oiss@yale.edu

U.S. Social Security Card

A Social Security Number (SSN) is a 9 digit employee tax identification number issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and non-immigrants who qualify on the basis of lawful status and legal employment.

A Social Security number is used by employers and employees for the purpose of reporting individual employee earnings for tax purposes only. In order to receive an SSN, international students and scholars must demonstrate current or upcoming authorized employment

SSNs are often used for a variety of unofficial purposes, such as opening telephone, utility, or bank/credit card accounts. While having a SSN is convenient for these reasons, the SSN is not required. If you have difficulty opening a bank account or other types of accounts because you do not have a SSN, you may want to speak to a supervisor or seek a different vendor for the service you are seeking.

Who is eligible?

  • All J-1 scholars
  • J-2 spouses with permission to work from immigration (EAD card)
  • All H-1B, TN, O-1 scholars
  • J-1 students, with letter of permission to work from sponsor (either Yale or outside organization, ie: Fulbright)
  • F-1 students who have secured on campus employment, are receiving for service fellowships, or working off-campus with OPT or CPT


How to Apply

Bring the following to the Social Security Administration:

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Application form (Form SS-5) available at OISS or online in PDF format.
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Letter from OISS confirming your Yale related immigration status and employment eligibility.
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Immigration documents: valid passport, I-94 card (white card issued at U.S. port of entry), and your visa document: I-20 (F-1 visa) or DS-2019 (J-1 visa) or approval notice (H1-B visa or O-1 visa). 

For J-2 or F-1 OPT applicants, your Work Authorization Card from immigration.
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F-1 students (only) will need written verification from employer or the for-service fellowship sponsor which includes the nature of the employment or fellowship, number of hours, and the date employment is expected to begin.

  • Yale College – Written verification of employment can be requested at the Student Employment Office at 246 Church St, second floor
  • Masters and Professional Students - Written verification can come directly from your School or from the Student Employment Office
  • PhD students – Only those students receiving for-service fellowships are eligible to apply.  OISS will have verification of for-service fellowship letters from the Graduate School, for those students who are eligible.  These letters will be given to the student upon their check in at OISS.


The Social Security Administration office is located in the Giaimo Federal Building at 150 Court Street in New Haven. The office is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday except on public holidays. The phone number is 773-5201 and national toll free number is 1- 800-772-1213.

The waiting time for SSN applications to be processed is normally 4 to 6 weeks. The card will be mailed to you.

ITIN — Individual Taxpayer ID Number

Foreign nationals who are not eligible to work, and therefore not eligible for an SSN, can apply for the ITIN. The application is submitted when you file your U.S. tax return, on or before April 15 each year. All F-1 andJ-1 visa holders must file a U.S. tax return whether they have earned income or not. Download an application, form W-7, or call to request one through the IRS’s (the U.S. tax agency) toll-free number, 1-800-829-3676.

PhD students receiving non-service fellowships that are from a country where they would benefit from a tax treaty may apply for this number upon their arrival in the US. Download PDF instructions on how to apply and a list of countries that have treaty benefit.