Getting a social security number and card through the US immigration?

Question

Am an f-1 student and need a social security number and card.I have just done one semester and will be going to my 2nd semeter this fall,do i qualify to apply for a social security number and card. 2.How can my school help me in getting the SS number and card? 3.How long on the average does it take to receive my card if i filed in my suburban community of about 90,000 residence.?

Answer 1

You can only work if you get permission from immigration to do so.

Generally, an F-1 student can work in an OPT/CPT internship (which you arrange throught he school) or if they can show hardship.

Answer 2

The Social Security Administration is the Agency that issues Social Security Cards. In General it takes up to 6 weeks for the card to arrive after you apply.

I am including here the text from the Social Security administration and at the bottom the web address so you may find the local office

In general, only noncitizens who have permission to work from DHS can apply for a Social Security number. We suggest you wait until you are in the United States for at least 10 days before you apply for a Social Security number. Also, you should report to your school prior to applying for a number. Taking these actions will ensure we can verify your immigration status with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

To apply for a Social Security number:

Complete an Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5); and

Show us original documents proving your:

Immigration status;

Work eligibility;

Age; and

Identity.

Take your completed application and original documents to your local Social Security office.

Immigration status

To prove your immigration status, you must show us the current U.S. immigration document, I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, issued to you when you arrived in the United States. If you are an F-1 or M-1 student, you also must show us your I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. If you are a J-1 exchange visitor, you must show us your DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status.

Work eligibility

If you are an F-1 student and eligible to work on campus, you must provide a letter from your designated school official that:

Identifies you;

Confirms your current school status; and

Identifies your employer and the type of work you are, or will be, doing.

We also need to see evidence of that employment, such as a recent pay slip or a letter from your employer. Your supervisor must sign and date the employment letter. This letter must describe:

Your job;

Your employment start date;

The number of hours you are, or will be, working; and

Your supervisor’s name and telephone number.

If you are an F-1 student authorized to work in curricular practical training (CPT), you must provide us your Form I-20 with the employment page (page 3) completed and signed by your school’s designated official.

If you are an F-1 or M-1 student and have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD Form I-766 or I-688B) from DHS, you must present it.

If you are a J-1 student, you must provide a letter from your sponsor. The letter should be on sponsor letterhead with an original signature that authorizes your employment.

We cannot process your application if:

Your on-campus or CPT work begins more than 30 days from your application date; or

The employment start date on your EAD Form I-766 or I-688B is a future date.

Age

You must present your birth certificate if you have it or can easily obtain it. If not, we can consider other documents, such as your passport or a document issued by DHS, to prove your age.

Identity

We can accept only certain documents as proof of identity. An acceptable document must be current (not expired) and show your name, identifying information and preferably a recent photograph. Social Security will ask to see your current U.S. immigration documents. Acceptable immigration documents include your:

Form I-551 (includes machine-readable immigrant visa with your unexpired foreign passport);

I-94 with your unexpired foreign passport; or

Work permit card from DHS (I-766 or I-688B).

All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. We also cannot accept a receipt showing you applied for the document. We may use one document for two purposes. For example, we may use your DHS work permit as proof of both work eligibility and identity. However, you must provide at least two separate documents.

http://www.ssa.gov

Answer 3

I'm not too sure in your case, but check out: http://www.visajourney.com

It is a very helpful site with a lot of information regarding visas, etc..