Applying for a Social Security Number

All employees, including citizens of other countries, must have a Social Security number (SSN) or must produce a receipt for having applied for a SSN in order to start work at KUMC.

If you arrive from outside the U.S. and do not have a SSN, the Social Security Administration (SSA) advises that you wait 10 days before applying for a number. This will ensure that your entry and status information has been entered into the database that many federal agencies share and will result in the quickest processing of your SSN, which is typically two to three weeks after application.   Once you have applied for your Social Security number but you do not receive it within three weeks, please notify the Office of International Programs.

A list of required documents, forms, and instructions are available on the SSA web site. Note that all applicants MUST apply in person, with original documents. Applications and supporting documents are not accepted via post, fax or email. Additionally, it is not possible to apply for a SSN from outside the U.S.

In addition to the standard application requirements, non-citizens must provide proof of legal status in the U.S. and proof of employment eligibility. In general, this includes original proof of identity (e.g., passport) and Form I-94. For specific visa types, further proof of employment eligibility will be necessary. Listed below are the most common types of non-citizens employed at KUMC and the additional documents that may be required of them. Please contact the SSA to confirm application requirements.

• F-1:
• Current valid I-20 from KUMC endorsed for on-campus employment by the Office of International Programs
• Current letter of employment for an on-campus position
• Letter from the Office of International Programs authorizing on-campus employment eligibility
• Proof of full-time enrollment, e.g., schedule confirmation and fee receipt
• Employment Authorization Document if on Optional Practical Training
   
• H-1B:
• Letter of employment or Form I-797
   
• J-1 (Student):
• Current valid DS2019 from KUMC
• Current letter of employment for an on-campus position
• Letter from the Office of International Programs authorizing on-campus employment
• Proof of full-time enrollment, e.g., schedule confirmation and fee receipt
   
• J-1 (Short-term Scholar, Research Scholar, Professor):
• Current, valid DS2019
• Letter from the Office of International Programs that verifies employment eligibility
   
• J-2:
• Employment Authorization Document
   
• O-1:
• Letter of employment or Form I-797
   
• TN:
• Letter of employment

Be aware that the SSA will not issue numbers to any non-immigrant that cannot demonstrate a need for one. Additionally, the SSA will not issue numbers to anyone in a status that is, by definition, ineligible to work, e.g., F-2, H-4. If a federal identification number is needed for filing tax returns or other financial reasons, dependents may apply to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for an ITIN: Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.