Overview

International students, scholars, and visitors will need to obtain either a Social Security number issued by the Social Security Administration or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) issued by the Internal Revenue Serivce, for federal tax purposes if receiving payments from the University of Minnesota. Which number is needed will depend on whether the nonresident is eligible for employment.

U.S. Social Security Number Requirements

A U.S. Social Security Number is required if the international visitor is authorized to work and has a job at the University of Minnesota. The student or visitor can apply on or after his/her 1st day of employment, the Social Security office will not accept applications before the person actually starts to work. The Form SS-5, Application for Social Security Card, will need to be completed at the local Social Security Administration office.

Both Payroll Services and the Job Center will provide the person with instructions and directions to the local Social Security office where documentation showing the person's identity, age, immigration status, and authorization to work must be provided along with Form SS-5. If your employee is an F-1 visa holder, besides showing all the above documentation, the person must also show evidence that on-campus employment has already been secured. The department must complete the Verification of F-1 Student's On-Campus Job (pdf) form. See the International Student and Scholar Services Web site for more detailed instruction.

For more information concerning the requirement for obtaining a Social Security number see the International Student and Scholar Services Web site. Social Security Administration also provides useful information on their Web site entitled International Students and Social Security Numbers, Foreign Workers and Social Security Numbers, and Lawfully Admitted Aliens—When You Need a Number and When You Don't.

ISSS - Obtaining a Social Security Number

SSA - International Student and Social Security Numbers

SSA - Foreign Workers and Social Security Numbers

SSA - Lawfully Admitted Aliens - When you Need a Number and When You Don't

Important to Remember: The name on the international visitor's passport and immigration documents must match the name on the Social Security card.

If the nonresident is not eligible for employment, but receiving payments for the University, see ITIN - Individual Taxpayer ID Number.