Getting a Social Security Number

International students, scholars, and faculty who are employed must apply for a social security number within the first 90 days of employment. Please refer to the appropriate section below for instructions, which vary depending on the specific kind of employer you will be working for.

International Students with Approved Off-Campus Employment:

Schedule your SSN appointment online (https://www.ssa.gov/). Everyone requesting service from the Social Security Administration must have an appointment, no exceptions. Take the following physical documents (electronic documents are not accepted) to the Social Security Administration office when you arrive for your appointment and submit your application:

  • Passport
  • I-94
  • I-20
  • EAD (for OPT employment only)
  • Offer Letter

International Students Working for Chartwells or the UNC Charlotte Bookstore:

  • Follow the I-9 instructions provided by either of the above-named employers.
  • If working for Chartwells specifically, complete the following ISSOconnect application: Chartwells Letter Signature Request Form. The ISSO will sign and release your Chartwells offer letter within 5 business days of submission of the application to accompany your Social Security application.

Schedule your SSN appointment online (https://www.ssa.gov/). Take the following physical documents (electronic documents are not accepted) to the Social Security Administration office when you arrive for your appointment and submit your application:

  • Passport
  • I-94
  • I-20
  • Employment Letter
  • ISSO authorization letter

International Students with any Other On-Campus Employment

Schedule your SSN appointment online (https://www.ssa.gov/). Take the following physical documents (electronic documents are not accepted) to the Social Security Administration office when you arrive for your appointment and submit your application:

  • Passport
  • I-94
  • I-20
  • Employment Letter
  • Request a receipt for your records

When you receive your Social Security card in the mail (in 2 to 4 weeks), take it to the Student Employment Office located in the King Building (Building # 11 on the Campus Map) Room 222. Federal law requires that the employer must keep a copy of the original card.

*What is an SSN Control Number and Why Should I Use It?

International students, scholars, and faculty who have been offered a job and who must apply for a Social Security Number are strongly encouraged to start their SSN application online, prior to going to the Social Security Administration Office. Once the online application is completed, an applicant is given a “Control Number,” which must then be taken to the SSA. The benefit of starting the application online and using a control number vs. filling out a paper SSN application at the local office is that the process of getting the SSN is much faster and smoother with the Control Number. Instead of spending an hour at the SSA, for example, with a Control #, you may only spend a few minutes there.