Social Security Application Procedures
All F-1 students, J-1 students, and J-1 scholars must complete the check-in process with OISS a minimum of two days prior to applying for an SSN.
Social Security Number (SSN) Application requirements vary according to your visa status and eligibility. Please click below to learn more:
Required documents:
Passport
I-20
F-1 SSN letter signed by OISS
F-1 SSN letter signed by on-campus employer
You can apply for both required F-1 SSN letters using one application through MyOISS, found under the “Request a Letter” category. Please note the F-1 SSN Endorsement Letter e-form is only accessible after your F-1 record has been validated by OISS.
The application is a two-step process:
F-1 student submits SSN Letter e-form in MyOISS, which requires contact information for someone in the student’s on-campus employer office.
The on-campus employer receives an email with a link to the second part of the e-form. When the employer submits the e-form, the application is complete and is routed to OISS for approval.
When OISS approves the application, MyOISS will generate both letters – one for OISS and the other for the employer. The letters are complete and can simply be printed and signed. OISS will send its letter to the student using the shipping method specified by the student during the application process. The employer’s representative will give their letter to the student however they see fit – via mail, pick-up, or in person. The SSA requires original letters with ink signatures to be submitted.
Please note that you cannot apply for an SSN more than 30 days prior to your employment start date.
Once you have your required documents, you will need to:
The SSA Lansing Branch is located at:
5210 Perry Robinson Circle
Lansing, MI 48911
Please call the SSA office at +1 (877) 512-5944 if you have any questions.
Required documents:
Passport
I-20 with CPT endorsement on page 2
Please note that you cannot apply for an SSN more than 30 days prior to your CPT start date.
Once you have your required documents, you will need to:
The SSA Lansing Branch is located at:
5210 Perry Robinson Circle
Lansing, MI 48911
Please call the SSA office at +1 (877) 512-5944 if you have any questions.
Required documents:
Employment Authorization Document (EAD), also called the “OPT Card”
Please note that you cannot apply for an SSN more than 30 days prior to your OPT start date.
Once you have your required documents, you will need to:
The SSA Lansing Branch is located at:
5210 Perry Robinson Circle
Lansing, MI 48911
Please call the SSA office at +1 (877) 512-5944 if you have any questions.
Required documents:
Passport
DS-2019
J-1 SSN Letter Signed by OISS (J-1 students not under MSU program sponsorship should obtain the letter from the program sponsor.)
You can apply for the required J-1 SSN letter using one application through MyOISS, found under the “Request a Letter” category. Please note the J-1 SSN Endorsement Letter e-form is only accessible after your J-1 record has been validated by OISS. The application is a two-step process:
J-1 student submits SSN Letter e-form in MyOISS.
When OISS approves the application, MyOISS will generate the letter. OISS will send its letter to the student using the shipping method specified by the student during the application process. The SSA requires original letters with ink signatures to be submitted.
Once you have your documents, you will need to visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) office during their business hours to apply for your SSN. No appointments are needed and you can find the branch office hours using the SSA Office Locator site.
The SSA Lansing Branch is located at:
5210 Perry Robinson Circle
Lansing, MI 48911
Please call the SSA Office at +1 (877) 512-5944 if you have any questions.
Required documents:
Passport
DS-2019
Once you have your documents, you will need to visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) office during their business hours to apply for your SSN. No appointments are needed and you can find the branch office hours using the SSA Office Locator site.
The SSA Lansing Branch is located at:
5210 Perry Robinson Circle
Lansing, MI 48911
Please call the SSA Office at +1 (877) 512-5944 if you have any questions.
Required documents:
You can apply for the required J-1 SSN letter using one application through MyOISS, found under the "Request a Letter" category. Please note the J-1 SSN Endorsement Letter e-form is only accessible after your J-1 record has been validated by OISS. The application is a two-step process:
Once you have your documents, you will need to visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) office during their business hours to apply for your SSN. No appointments are needed and you can find the branch office hours using the SSA Office Locator site.
The SSA Lansing Branch is located at:
5210 Perry Robinson Circle
Lansing, MI 48911
Please call the SSA Office at +1 (877) 512-5944 if you have any questions.
Required documents:
Passport
Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
Please note that you cannot apply for an SSN more than 30 days prior to your EAD start date.
Once you have your documents, you will need to visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) office during their business hours to apply for your SSN. No appointments are needed and you can find the branch office hours using the SSA Office Locator site.
The SSA Lansing Branch is located at:
5210 Perry Robinson Circle
Lansing, MI 48911
Please call the SSA Office at +1 (877) 512-5944 if you have any questions.
Required documents:
Passport
I-94
I-797C Approval Notice
Once you have your documents, you will need to visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) office during their business hours to apply for your SSN. No appointments are needed and you can find the branch office hours using the SSA Office Locator site.
The SSA Lansing Branch is located at:
5210 Perry Robinson Circle
Lansing, MI 48911
Please call the SSA Office at +1 (877) 512-5944 if you have any questions.
Required documents:
Passport
Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
Once you have your documents, you will need to visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) office during their business hours to apply for your SSN. No appointments are needed and you can find the branch office hours using the SSA Office Locator site.
The SSA Lansing Branch is located at:
5210 Perry Robinson Circle
Lansing, MI 48911
Please call the SSA Office at +1 (877) 512-5944 if you have any questions.
After You Receive Your SSN
While you will not need to show your social security card very often, you will need to memorize your number. Once you have your social security card, do not carry your card with you. Keep it in a safe place with your other important papers.
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