Social Security Number (SSN)

Step 1: Before getting started, please confirm the following:

• You must have an “active” SEVIS record. Make sure you have already checked in at least 5 days prior at the Office of International Programs and Services at the beginning of your first semester of study at Mason so that your SEVIS record can be activated.
• Also you must have arrived in the United States no less than 5 business days prior to applying for a social security number to allow the SAVE database to accurately reflect your arrival.

Step 2: Go to the OIPS Self-Service Center and download the On-Campus Employment Certification form (OCEC)

• Complete section 1

Step 3: Visit Your Hiring Department

• Obtain your job offer letter and hiring documents.
• Have your supervisor complete section 2 of the On-Campus Employment Certification form.

Step 4: Visit the Office of International Programs and Services

• Bring your job offer letter and On-Campus Employment Certification form in order to have an OIPS advisor sign section 3.
• If you are an INTO Mason student or China 1-2-1 student, you must also get a signature in section 4.
• Mason J-1 visa holders: Obtain a letter of authorization to apply for a social security number.

Note: J-1 visa holders not sponsored by Mason: It is not necessary to visit OIPS, but you should confirm with your program sponsor that you have authorization to work on campus and apply for a social security number.

Step 5: Download an Enrollment Verification

• The enrollment verification is usually available 7 days after you register for classes.
• Go to Patriot Web, click the “Student Services” tab and go to “Student Records”.

Step 6: Download a copy of your I-94 from www.cbp.gov

Step 7: Complete the Social Security Application form (SS-5)

• Download this form from the Security Administration’s website www.ssa.gov

Step 8: Visit the Social Security Administration office with the following items:

• Passport
• Visa
• I-20/DS-2019
• I-94
• Job Offer Letter
• On-Campus Employment Certification form
• Enrollment Verification form

Step 9: After visiting the Social Security Administration:

• Please visit the International Tax Office in Merten Hall, room 4422 (walk-in hours, 9am-4pm) or in Founders Hall, room 222 (Monday, 11am-4:30pm, by scheduled appointment only; please email inttax@gmu.edu to schedule appointment) to complete your hiring paperwork and your I-9 form. (Bring Job offer letter; Receipt from Social Security office; Proof of your identity and work eligibility, e.g.Passport, I-94, I-20 or DS-2019 forms). Click here for I-9 instructions.

Step 10: After your social security card arrives in the mail:

• Visit the International Tax Office to update your I-9 and tax documents.

Step 1: Before getting started, please confirm the following:

• You must have an “active” SEVIS record. Make sure you have already checked in at least 5 days prior at the Office of International Programs and Services at the beginning of your first semester of study at Mason so that your SEVIS record can be activated.
• Also you must have arrived in the United States no less than 5 business days prior to applying for a social security number to allow the SAVE database to accurately reflect your arrival.

Step 2: Visit your Employer's Hiring Department

• Obtain your job offer letter and hiring documents.

Step 3: Download an Enrollment Verification

• The enrollment verification is usually available 7 days after you register for classes.
• Go to Patriot Web, click the “Student Services” tab and go to “Student Records”.

Step 4: Download a copy of your I-94 from www.cbp.gov

Step 5: Complete the Social Security Application form (SS-5)

• Download this form from the Security Administration’s website www.ssa.gov

Step 6: Visit the Social Security Administration office with the following items:

• Passport
• Visa
• DS-2019 with AT endorsement
• I-94
• Job Offer Letter
• Enrollment Verification form

Important: You should NOT visit the SSA until OIPS has approved your AT.

If your employer is Mason (e.g. teaching position), you will also need to complete step 7:

Step 7: Visit the International Tax Office

• After you have applied for a SSN, please visit the International Tax Office in Merten Hall, room 4422 (walk-in hours, 9am-4pm) or in Founders Hall, room 222 (Monday, 11am-4:30pm, by scheduled appointment only; please email inttax@gmu.edu to schedule appointment) to complete your hiring paperwork and your I-9 form. (Bring Job offer letter; Receipt from Social Security office; Proof of your identity and work eligibility, e.g. passport, I-94, DS-2019 forms). Click here for I-9 instructions.
• After your social security card has arrived in the mail, please visit the International Tax Office again to update your I-9 and tax documents.

Step 1: Before getting started, please confirm the following:

• You must have an “active” SEVIS record. Make sure you have already checked in at least 5 days prior at the Office of International Programs and Services at the beginning of your first semester of study at Mason so that your SEVIS record can be activated.
• Also you must have arrived in the United States no less than 5 business days prior to applying for a social security number to allow the SAVE database to accurately reflect your arrival.

Step 2: Visit your employer's hiring department

• Obtain your job offer letter and hiring documents.

Step 3: Download an Enrollment Verification

• The enrollment verification is usually available 7 days after you register for classes.
• Go to Patriot Web, click the “Student Services” tab and go to “Student Records”.

Step 4: Download a copy of your I-94 from www.cbp.gov

Step 5: Complete the Social Security Application form (SS-5)

• Download this form from the Security Administration’s website www.ssa.gov

Step 6: Visit the Social Security Administration office with the following items:

• Passport
• Visa
• CPT I-20
• I-94
• Job Offer Letter
• Enrollment Verification form

Important: You should NOT visit the SSA until OIPS has approved your CPT.

If your employer is Mason (e.g. teaching position), you will also need to complete step 7:

Step 7: Visit the International Tax Office

• After you have applied for a SSN, please visit the International Tax Office in Merten Hall, room 4422 (walk-in hours, 9am-4pm) or in Founders Hall, room 222 (Monday, 11am-4:30pm, by scheduled appointment only; please email inttax@gmu.edu to schedule appointment) to complete your hiring paperwork and your I-9 form. (Bring Job offer letter; Receipt from Social Security office; Proof of your identity and work eligibility, e.g. passport, I-94, I-20 forms). Click here for I-9 instructions.
• After your social security card has arrived in the mail, please visit the International Tax Office again to update your I-9 and tax documents.

Step 1: Before getting started, please confirm the following:

• You must have an “active” SEVIS record. Make sure you have already checked in at least 5 days prior at the Office of International Programs and Services at the beginning of your first semester of study at Mason so that your SEVIS record can be activated.
• Also you must have arrived in the United States no less than 5 business days prior to applying for a social security number to allow the SAVE database to accurately reflect your arrival.

Step 2: Visit your employer's hiring department

• Obtain your job offer letter and hiring documents.

Step 3: Download a copy of your I-94 from www.cbp.gov

Step 4: Complete the Social Security Application form (SS-5)

• Download this form from the Security Administration’s website www.ssa.gov

Step 5: Visit the Social Security Administration office with the following items:

• Passport
• Visa
• EAD card (you should not apply for a SSN until you have received your EAD card)
• I-20
• I-94
• Job Offer Letter

If your employer is Mason (e.g. teaching position), you will also need to complete step 6:

Step 6: Visit the International Tax Office

• After you have applied for a SSN, Please visit the International Tax Office in Merten Hall, room 4422 (walk-in hours, 9am-4pm) or in Founders Hall, room 222 (Monday, 11am-4:30pm, by scheduled appointment only; please email inttax@gmu.edu to schedule appointment) to complete your hiring paperwork and your I-9 form. (Bring Job offer letter; Receipt from Social Security office; Proof of your identity and work eligibility, e.g. passport, I-94, I-20 or DS-2019 forms). Click here for I-9 instructions.
• After your social security card has arrived in the mail, please visit the International Tax Office again to update your I-9 and tax documents.