Overview
Any F-1 or J-1 student who will be employed by LSU or who has received authorization from International Student Services (ISS) or USCIS to work for another employer in the U.S. must apply for a Social Security number (SSN). Receipt of this number will help to ensure that you are paid in a timely manner. Obtaining an SSN can take a month (or longer, in rare cases), so you are advised to apply as soon as you have all of the required documentation. (See drop-down sections below for a list of required documentation.)
Note for new students: Before applying for an SSN, you need to be in the U.S. for a minimum of 10 days after completing your SEVIS Check In with International Student Services.
After you receive your Social Security number, you must complete the following steps:
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Notify the LSU Payroll Office in 204 Thomas Boyd Hall and provide them with a copy of your Social Security card. This step is necessary to continue to receive payment for on-campus employment.
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Immediately notify your employer and your bank of your U.S. SSN.
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Keep your Social Security card in a safe, secure place at home along with your non-immigrant documents. Because of the possibility of identity theft, it is not advisable that you carry your Social Security card in your wallet.
If you are not eligible for an SSN (i.e., you do not work in the U.S.), and you need to apply for a driver's license or other document that requires an SSN, you can request a Social Security letter of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The official letter from SSA serves as evidence that you are not eligible to apply for an SSN. You can provide this letter when applying for a driver's license, a state ID, or an apartment lease or when opening a bank account.
Documents Required
F-1 Visa Status
- Completed Form SS-5 Social Security application.
- Original, unexpired, and most-recent I-20 or DS-2019.
- Original, unexpired passport.
- Your most recent I-94 admission record (marked F-1, D/S) or your I-797 approval notice.
- Proof of employment and/or authorization, depending on your current situation and job type.
- F-1 Student Workers must show an original, official job offer letter from the hiring department and authorization from International Services; this information will be provided in a combined letter.
- An original on-campus job summary letter must be printed on official departmental letterhead using the Template Letter for Combined Employment Authorization (LSU Hiring Department and IS DSO). See the attachments section of this article for the template.
- New to LSU? Please make sure that you have reported to International Services with your immigration documents either at International Orientation or as a latecomer.
- Request the DSO signature of the combination letter. Please follow the instructions on the DSO Letter Request page.
- F-1 Graduate Assistants must show two documents.
- A graduate assistantship job offer letter with details of appointment; if a signature is required, the offer letter must show your signature confirming that you have accepted the assistantship terms.
- An original, official job offer letter from the hiring department and authorization from International Student Services; these two items will be provided in a combined letter.
- An original on-campus job summary letter must be printed on official departmental letterhead using the Template Letter for Combined Employment Authorization (LSU Hiring Department and IS DSO). See the attachments section of this article for the template.
- New to LSU? Please make sure that you have reported to International Services with your immigration documents either at International Orientation or as a latecomer.
- Request the DSO signature of the combination letter. Please follow the instructions on the DSO Letter Request page.
- F-1 students on OPT or other off-campus work permission authorized by USCIS must show a Valid EAD card issued by USCIS (for OPT or Economic Hardship).
- F-1 Students approved for CPT must show Valid CPT Authorization listed on page 2 of their original I-20.
J-1 Visa Status
- Completed Form SS-5 Social Security application.
- Original J-1 program Sponsor Letter.
- If your DS-2019 was issued by LSU, you can complete the Sponsor Letter Request online.
- If your DS-2019 was not issued by LSU, you must request the sponsor letter from your J Program Sponsor.
- Original, unexpired, and most recent DS-2019.
- Original, unexpired passport.
- Your most recent I-94 admission record (marked J-1 and D/S) or your I-797 Approval Notice.
Other Visa Statuses
Social Security numbers are only available to those who are eligible for employment in the U.S. Therefore, anyone who is not eligible for employment because of their visa status (F-2, H-4, etc.) also is not eligible for a Social Security number, with no exceptions. Rather than an SSN, these individuals may apply for an Individual Tax Payer Identification Number (ITIN).
For information and instructions to apply for an ITIN, please see this IRS webpage. If you have questions after consulting the IRS Web site, contact the LSU Office of Accounting Services (204 Thomas Boyd Hall) at 225-578-3321.
Local Contact
Baton Rouge Social Security Administration Office
5455 Bankers Avenue
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: 866-613-3070
Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm