How To Get A Social Security Number

(Process During COVID-19)

An international student is not eligible to get a Social Security number unless needed for paid employment. If you have been offered an on-campus job or you have qualified to do Curricular Practical Training (CPT), this is the process to apply for a Social Security number.

1. Gather the following documents:
   1. Your valid I-20
   2. Valid passport
   3. Copy of your I-94 (cpb.gov(opens in new window))
   4. Job offer letter from your on-campus or CPT employer
   5. Verification of enrollment from Cindy or Tasha
      
      
2. Call our local Social Security Administration (SSA) at 1-866-964-7585. 
   
   
3. Let them know you are an F-1 student and that you need to apply for a Social Security number (SSN).
   
   
4. The agent should take your contact information, and maybe ask a few other questions, and forward your information to the office manager at the Chico SSA.
   
   
5. The office manager should contact you within a few days to a week so that you can agree upon a time that works for you to go into the SSA to hand in your paperwork in-person.
   
   
6. In addition to the paperwork above, you should also complete and bring with you the Application for Social a Social Security Card SS-5-FS (PDF).
   
   
7. Once you submit your paperwork in-person, it will take about two weeks to get your SSN in the mail.