An international student on an F-1 visa needs a Social Security Number (SSN) in several specific situations, particularly related to employment and certain administrative processes. Here are the primary cases:

1. Employment Authorization:
   • On-campus employment: If you are working on campus at your school, you need a SSN to report your earnings to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
   • Curricular Practical Training (CPT): If you are participating in CPT, which is employment directly related to your major and part of your curriculum, you need a SSN.
   • Optional Practical Training (OPT): If you are engaging in OPT, which allows you to work in your field of study for up to 12 months (or 24 months for STEM fields) after graduation, you need a SSN.
2. Tax Reporting:
   • Even if you are not working, you may need a SSN for tax reporting purposes. For instance, if you receive a scholarship or fellowship that is taxable, a SSN is required for tax documentation.
   • For more information about tax reporting requirements for international students, visit Tax Information.

While a SSN is crucial for employment and tax-related purposes, it is not required for all aspects of life as an international student. If you do not plan to work, you may not need to apply for a SSN. However, you can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for tax purposes if you are not eligible for a SSN.

To apply for a SSN as a student on an F-1 visa, you will need to provide several specific documents.

1. Completed Form SS-5: This is the application form for a Social Security Card.
2. Valid Passport: Your current passport must be presented as proof of identity and citizenship.
3. F-1 Visa: A valid F-1 visa stamp in your passport.
4. Form I-94: This is the Arrival/Departure Record. It can be obtained electronically from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
5. Form I-20: Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status issued by your school, signed by both you and a Designated School Official (DSO).
6. Proof of Employment: F-1 students must demonstrate that they have been authorized to work. This typically includes:
   • On-campus employment: A letter from your employer (on school letterhead), indicating that you are employed and your job duties. You can provide your employer with this letter template.
   • Curricular Practical Training (CPT): An endorsement for CPT on your Form I-20 from your DSO.
   • Optional Practical Training (OPT): An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
7. Letter from your DSO: Once you have all the above documents, schedule an appointment with your DSO and they will issue you an authorization letter. This letter will verify your student status, your eligibility for employment, and the nature of the employment.

Make sure to bring both originals and copies of these documents when you visit the SSA office to apply for your SSN.

Social Security Office (La Crosse)
210 Seventh Street South, Suite 100
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: 866-770-2345
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Viterbo University Designated School Officials

Melissa Giefer
International and ESL Program Coordinator | Designated School Official
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Office: Nursing Center Room 420
Office phone: 608-796-3197
Make an appointment here.

Kenneth Felts
Director | International Admissions | Primary Designated School Official
Office: Reinhart Center Room 145
Office Phone: 608-796-3171
Email krfelts@viterbo.edu for appointments.