Social Security

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If you plan to work on campus, you will need a Social Security Card.  If you do not have a Social Security card, then you need to apply for one at the Social Security Office. International Student Services will be offering van trips to the Social Security Office. Please see your ISS Orientation and Check-In calendar or contact our office for further details. Items to take to the Social Security Office Representatives are

  1. I-20 or DS-2019 (and a photocopy)
  2. I-94 card (and a photocopy)
  3. Passport (and a photocopy of the picture page, the page showing the expiration date, and your U.S. visa stamp)
  4. Social Security letter obtained from an International Student Advisor when you checked in.
  5. An employment offer letter generated by the Employment Eligibility Certification (EEC) system.  Note: The Social Security Administration requires evidence that employment has been secured.  Students should contact their hiring department for the appropriate EEC employment letter.
  6. A Social Security Number (SSN) Application. You can get these forms in the ISS office before your check-in.  You do not need to fill this out before meeting with an advisor; however, the ISS staff may be able to answer questions you have regarding the forms.  You should fill out the appropriate form based on the following criteria:

     

SSN Application

If you have been offered a job to work on campus while you are at Texas A&M, complete the Social Security Application Form using blue or black ink.  Submit your Social Security application with the necessary documents to the Social Security Office. * Please note the following information with regard to the SSN application.

In order to be issued a social security card, your data must appear in a database the Social Security office uses to verify your legal non-immigrant status. In order to be issued a social security card, your data must appear in a database the Social Security office uses to verify your legal non-immigrant status.  It generally takes 12-15 days after the Port of Entry date stamped on your I-20 or DS-2019 for the Port of Entry officials to enter your information in the database. Because of this, the Social Security Office encourages you not to submit your SSN until you have been in the U.S. at least 12 –15 days.  If you choose to submit your application early and your data is not yet in the database, your application will then be forward to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for further review which usually adds an additional 2-6 weeks to the normal processing of your social security application.

  1. The address you use on your SSN application is very important, an incomplete, wrong address, or one sent to a friend’s house will prevent the U.S. postal service from delivering your social security card and they will send it back to Social Security.  If you do not have a permanent address at the time you fill out the SSN application you can either use the ISS address at the end of this for or have the card mailed to your academic department address.  DO NOT use “c/o” as part of the address. Check with your department to obtain this address information and ask permission to use it.  If you use the ISS address, be sure you activate your NEO e-mail account.  ISS will send an e-mail notification to your NEO account when the social security card arrives.
  2. If you apply for the SSN 12-15 days after arriving in the U.S., it will take approximately 6 weeks for the social security card to arrive at the mailing address on the SSN application form.  Going to the Social Security Office to check on the status of the application will not help, since once it is submitted; the process is not in the hands of local officials.  Therefore, please DO NOT inquire about the status of an application before the end of 6 weeks.
  3. After completing your application, you will need to submit it to the Social Security office along with 1) a letter from ISS; 2) the original and a photocopy of your immigration paperwork (I-20/DS-2019, passport, visa, and I-94); 3) proof of employment (a letter issued by your employing department).  

(Must be done after checking in with an International Student Advisor)


Social Security Office

Social Security Administration (SSA) office is located at 2120 West Briargate Drive, Bryan. From the Texas A&M campus, go east on University Drive past Texas Avenue towards the Earl Rudder Freeway. Before the Hilton Hotel, turn left on E. Tarrow Road. Continue on 29th Street. Turn Right on E. Villa Maria Rd. Turn right on E. William J. Bryan Parkway. Turn right on W. Briargate and arrive at Social Security Office on the right-hand side

  • Address: 2120 West Briargate Drive Bryan, Texas 77801
  • Phone: 979-731-1140
  • Weekdays only: 9:00 a. m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Allow 2-3 weeks to receive it

 
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