International Student Services

[All information is subject to change without notice and is not to be considered legal advice]

Step 1: Proof of Employment and Work Authorization

In order to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) and card, the Social Security Administration (SSA) requires all F-1 students to provide proof of valid F-1 status, proof of employment and of work authorization. Depending on the job, the required documents vary:

If your first U.S. job is on campus:

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• Have your employer provide you with a letter using the template of On-Campus Employment Offer Letter.
• Take the letter to the Career Center for a signature.
• Submit the signed Career Center letter to the ISS Office and request a SSN letter. The SSN letter indicates your work authorization.
• The next business day you will be emailed to pick up the two letters from the ISS Office. (hide)

If your first U.S. job is Curricular Practical Training (CPT):

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• You are not required to produce a campus job letter; proof of employment is part of your CPT I-20.
• When you request the CPT I-20 from the ISS Office, also request a SSN letter.
• You will be emailed when the I-20 and letter are ready for pickup. (hide)

If your first U.S. job is Optional Practical Training (OPT):

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• You are not required to show proof of employment and your OPT I-20, combined with your OPT Employment Authorization Document (EAD), meet the work authorization requirements. When you obtain the OPT EAD, request a SSN letter from the ISS Office. You will be emailed when the I-20 and letter are ready for pickup. (hide)

Step 2: The Social Security Office

Take all the following to a Social Security Administration Office:

• Documents from STEP 1
• Passport, F-1 visa and I-94
• Form I-20

*We suggest you take the originals and a copy of your immigration documents.

At the Social Security Administration Office, you will be given a short form to complete and the clerk will check your immigration documents. You can also complete the form online in advance and bring it with you to the SSA office. The SSN card will be mailed to the address you list on the form.

The process usually takes two to three weeks, though it can be longer if your immigration documents require further inspection. If you use the ISS Office address, we will email you on the day we receive your card.

You should NOT submit a Social Security application if you have been in the U.S. for less than 10 days or if it is more than 30 days prior to your CPT or OPT start date. If you do so, your SSN application may be delayed or denied. OPT applicants may be required to wait until the OPT start date to apply.

Getting to the Social Security Administration Office:

The SSA Office located closest to UT Dallas is:
10824 N. Central Expressway
Dallas, Texas 75231
1-800-772-1213 (phone)

With your Comet Card, free DART pass, and the UT Dallas campus shuttle, you can conveniently use public transportation to reach the SSA Office:

• Take the DART campus shuttle to the George Bush Turnpike DART rail station.
• Ride the DART rail station to the Walnut Hill train stop
• Take the 502 DART bus to the Social Security Administration Offic

To plan your trip, please visit the DART website for current schedule.