自慰视频

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International Student & Scholar Services

Social Security Number (SSN) & ITIN

Anyone who works in the United States needs a Social Security number (SSN). SSN is for employment and tax purposes only.聽 The SSN is also used to track your credit and work history.聽 The U.S. government assigns the Social Security number and will only be assigned one SSN per lifetime.聽 If you are eligible for a Social Security number, you need to apply for it and will receive a Social Security card with the number on it.

  • The Social Security card is not a work permit.聽 You will need to receive employment authorization in order to begin employment and obtain the SSN.
  • A Social Security number is not required to open a bank account, get a driver鈥檚 license, rent an apartment or get a cell phone.聽 Many vendors will allow you to substitute your student ID number or use other verification to obtain their services.

Visit the Social Security Administration鈥檚 website for more information: or

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Who can and when to apply?

Who? Visa/Employment TypeEligible?When?
New/Initial Student & ScholarYes (usually on campus employment or Graduate Assistantships for students)Must have checked-in with ISSS, have been in the US at least 10 days.
F-1 On Campus Employment (including Graduate Assistantships)YesEarliest is 30 days before employment begins.
F-1 CPTYesEarliest is 30 days before employment begins. Must have CPT authorization on I-20.
F-1 OPTYesIt is possible to apply for SSN and the OPT EAD at the same time, the I-765 EAD application form. If you did not choose this option when apply for OPT, you can apply once you received EAD card and start date on EAD card is reached.
F-1 No EmploymentNot eligible
F-2Not eligible
J-1 Students and Student Interns 鈥 On Campus EmploymentYesEarliest is 30 days before employment begins as indicated on DS-2019 with employment authorization
J-1 Students Academic Training (AT)YesEarliest is 30 days before AT begins. Must have AT authorization on DS-2019
J-1 ScholarYesMust have checked in with ISSS AND have been in the US at least 10 days
J-2Yes, only if you have an EADOnce you have work authorization via EAD card and the start date on EAD card is reached

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How to apply?

To apply for a Social Security number, you must complete an online application form, appear in person at the Social Security Administration Office, and provide original supporting documents to verify your age, identity, and lawful status.

Step 1: If you are a new/initial student or scholar on a document issued by 自慰视频, you must complete your SEVIS check in with ISSS first and have been present in the United States for 10 business days.

Step 2: If you are an F-1/J-1 student with on-campus employment, whose I-20/DS-2019 was issued by 自慰视频, you will need to request a Social Security support letter from the ISSS office before you can apply for your SSN.

  • Submit the Social Security Letter Request on the under General Forms Upload along with completed and signed The SSN letter request form requires a signature from your immediate supervisor in your hiring department. ISSS will review and contact you after you submit the request if we need any further details from you. Otherwise, we will return back your letter within 3-5 business days upon receipt. Please review the request in the ISSS portal for further instructions
  • If your DS-2019 was issued by IIE, Fulbright, or another sponsor, please contact your sponsor for a letter. ISSS cannot provide an SSN support letter for you, since we do not maintain your SEVIS record.

Step 3: Fill out on the Social Security Administration (SSA)’s website. On the application, you can schedule an appointment. On the day of your appointment, you will need to go in-person to the local SSA. (The local SSA does not accept walk-ins at this time.) Please bring the following documents with you:

  • Receipt from your online application
  • Valid passport
  • Valid I-94 ()
  • Valid status document
    • Most current I-20 (F-1 Students only)
    • Most current DS-2019 (J-1 Exchange Visitors only)
  • Letter of employment:
    • Social Security Support Letter (自慰视频 students only)
    • Invitation or Appointment Letter (J-1 Scholars only)

*For Peabody students applying for a Teaching License, should also take a copy of the Teaching License application as proof of need for an SSN.

Tips for completing SSN application

  • Mother鈥檚 Maiden Name 鈥揳pplication is asking for your mother鈥檚 name before marriage (if different)
  • Mailing Address 鈥 Place that you are currently living in Nashville. If you are on OPT and not in Nashville, you should use the address where you are currently living.
    • The U.S. Post Office will not forward Social Security Cards or deliver them to you at another person鈥檚 address. You should not use care of (C/O) addresses!
    • If you do not have residence in Nashville yet, it is best to wait to apply for card when you have one. If you are planning to move soon, you may want to wait until you have more of permanent addres

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Where to apply?

You will need to apply for your SSN physically at your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. 聽If you live in Nashville, details for the local SSA office are listed below.

The local SSA office:

Address: 120 Athens Way, Nashville, TN 37228
Phone Number:聽 877-808-5461
Hours:聽 Monday-Friday 9:00 AM 鈥 4:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday- Closed.

Directions to SSA office

By Car

  • From 自慰视频, take 21st Avenue south away from downtown.
  • Turn the 2nd left onto Broadway.
  • Turn left at George L Davis Blvd (signs for I-40/I-65).
  • Take the ramp on the left onto I-40 W/I-65 N. Continue to follow I-65 N.
  • Take exit 85 for 8th Ave/US Hwy 41 Alt toward State Capitol/Metro Center Blvd.
  • Turn left at Metrocenter Blvd.
  • Turn right at Athens Way.
  • Social Security is the last building on the right.

By Bus (WeGo Public Transit)

  • Visit the WeGo website for more information:聽聽鈥撀爕ou can聽provide the address in the聽Trip Planner feature to plan your trip and view the bus route needed.

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After receiving your SSN

You will need to update your employment information (I-9) with your employer and provide copy of your SSN card to your employer鈥檚 HR office.聽 Make sure that you Do not mail or email a copy of your card to your employer.

For Students:

  • You MUST FIRST take your SSN card to the Registrar鈥檚 Office (located on 2305 West End Avenue, in the Admissions and Financial Aid Building).
  • Next, contact the I-9 Office and the International Tax Office聽to update your I-9. Please update your Sprintax Calculus record with your SSN and contact ito@vanderbilt.edu so that they can update their records.

*If you fail to take your SSN card to Registrar鈥檚 Office first, you may have problems with your VUNETID.

If your employer is not 自慰视频 University, make sure you contact your employer鈥檚 Human Resources office to provide copy of your SSN card to update your I-9.

For Scholars:

  • You should provide copy to your Department
  • Next, contact the I-9 Office and the International Tax Office聽to update your I-9. Please update your Sprintax Calculus record with your SSN and contact ito@vanderbilt.edu so that they can update their records.

It is important that you keep your SSN information private, except when needed to disclose for official purposes.聽 Keep your card in a safe and secure place. Do not share your SSN over the phone with individuals you do not know or through email as SSN is a unique ID and is often target of 鈥渋dentity theft鈥.

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What to do if you are not eligible for an SSN? (ITIN)

If you are not eligible for an SSN, you could apply for an if needed. ITIN is a nine-digit number assigned to an individual who is not eligible for an SSN but is required to have an ITIN for some U.S. payment or tax reporting purpose.聽 Keep in mind that ITIN is not an SSN and cannot be used for employment purposes.

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Other SSN Resources & Forms聽聽

Forms

for ITIN

Resources

(ITIN)

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