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The following individuals are eligible to apply for an SSN: 

• F-1 and J-1 students with a job offer letter and/or work permission, both on-campus and off-campus 
• J-1 Scholars 
• H-1B EmployeesJ-2 and H-4 Dependents with an Employment Authorization Document (EAD Card) 
• Other individuals with an immigration status that allows employment authorization (Please note our office can only advise on Rutgers supported visa types) 

The Social Security Administration recommends waiting 10 days after arriving in the U.S. to apply for an SSN.  Those in J or F status must also have their SEVIS records activated before applying. 

To apply for a Social Security Number, go to www.ssa.gov/number-card to start the process online.  After you have completed the online application, you then may request an appointment to visit the local Social Security office.  If you do not find an appointment that suits your schedule, you may visit the Social Security office and your SSN application will be processed on a walk-in basis. You must present your original documents to the Social Security office within 45 days of completing the online application. 

IMPORTANT: If you are located in New Brunswick, please use the following information to apply for your SSN

Step 1) Complete necessary workshops in the RGlobal portal under the “Workshops” tab. You will need to complete these workshops before you can obtain needed documents for your SSN application. 

• Complete the Staying in Legal Status workshop. 
• Learn about On-Campus or Off-Campus Employment (i.e. CPT) in our online Employment Workshops  

Step 2) Students prepare their SSN application packet. 

A complete packet must include:

See below and here for more information.

- Original valid passport with F/J/H-1B visa stamp inside

- Printed I-94 record

- For F-1 Students, original I-20 document (both current and previous)
- For J-1 Exchange Visitors, most recent DS-2019

- (F-1/ J-1 students only) Social Security Letter, signed by the student’s Designated School Official (DSO/ARO), obtained from the RGlobal Portal (you will need the SS letter even if you are applying based on OPT or CPT)

- Proof of employment:

- If on-campus, F-1 students submit the On-campus Verification Letter and J-1 students  Employment Verification Form for J-1 Students (completed by your on-campus employer) with an original, wet PEN ink signature from your hiring manager. You must bring the original document that was signed with a pen - not a scanned copy. Digital signatures are NOT accepted. 

- If off-campus,F-1 and J-1 students must have a job offer letter (e.g. OPT/CPT/AT offer letter) from employer with an original, wet signature from your hiring manager and I-20/DS-2019 that shows CPT/OPT/AT recommendation on it. J-1 students on Academic Training will also need their AT letter signed by their ARO. 

Step 3) Ensure the SEVIS record has been activated, then complete the online SSN application and visit the SSA office within 45 days with the required documents. All Social Security Administration offices now require customers to schedule an appointment for service in their field offices, including requests for Social Security Numbers. Students are advised to book their appointments through the online system and bring their application reference number with them to their scheduled appointment at the New Brunswick SSA office:  

Social Security Administration 
550 Jersey Ave, Suite 200 
New Brunswick NJ 08901 

Step 4) An SSA staff member will review the SSN application packet and, if everything is in order, will provide a receipt notice for the application. The applicant should receive their SSN card in the mail within 7-14 days. 

To apply for a Social Security Number, go to www.ssa.gov/number-card to start the process online.  After you have completed the online application, you then may request an appointment to visit the local Social Security office.  If you do not find an appointment that suits your schedule, you may visit the Social Security office and your SSN application will be processed on a walk-in basis. You must present your original documents to the Social Security office within 45 days of completing the online application. 

To prove your identity and work-authorized immigration status, you will need to bring the following documents: 

1. Passport 
2. Form I-94 
3. Form DS-2019 (J-1 Scholars) or Form I-797 (H-1B Employees) 
4. Invitation Letter or Appointment Letter 

You should receive your SSN card in the mail within a few weeks after your appointment.  It some cases, SSA may require additional time to verify your documents. 

Once you receive your SSN, be sure to report it to your sponsoring unit.  Otherwise, your SSN should not be given to others unless absolutely necessary.   

SSN denial letters are sometimes needed. However, please note the NJ MVC no longer accepts them.

If you need a denial letter, please consult with ISSS for further guidance.  

Those who are not eligible for a Social Security Number may be eligible for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). 

PLEASE NOTE: Students and faculty/scholars should NOT have an SSN and an ITIN at the same time. This can cause confusion in the IRS system. You will need to rescind your ITIN later on if you have the need to instead obtain an SSN. 

From the IRS ITIN website:  

“An ITIN, or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, is a tax processing number only available for certain nonresident and resident aliens, their spouses, and dependents who cannot get a Social Security Number (SSN). It is a 9-digit number, beginning with the number "9", formatted like an SSN (NNN-NN-NNNN).” 

"Once you receive a SSN, you must use that number for tax purposes and discontinue using your ITIN.  It is improper to use both the ITIN and the SSN assigned to the same person to file tax returns.  It is your responsibility to notify the IRS so we can combine all of your tax records under one identification number.  If you do not notify the IRS when you are assigned a SSN, you may not receive credit for all wages paid and taxes withheld which could reduce the amount of any refund due." 

To notify the IRS, follow the instructions here 

For more detailed information on ITINs, refer to: 

ITIN FAQs in English 

Obtaining an ITIN from Abroad 

Publication 1915, Understanding Your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number PDF 

Please note: Some of the following resources are external links, outside Rutgers.

Apply for a replacement or correction of the SSN card
FAQs for SSN
International Students and Social Security Numbers
Study in the States
 

Full Travel Ban: Nationals from the following 12 countries will be barred from entry to the U.S.: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.  

Partial Travel Ban: Nationals from the following countries will be barred from entry to the U.S. in specific immigration statuses (including B-1, B2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas): Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.  

No. The Proclamation does not revoke existing visas, nor does it affect those already in the U.S. who maintain lawful status.

Yes. Individuals outside the U.S. with valid visas on June 9th and Green Card holders/lawful permanent residents are generally exempt. Dual nationals carrying passports from nondesignated countries may also qualify for exceptions. The Proclamation outlines additional exemptions in Section 4.   

Although those with valid visas and those who were in the U.S. as of June 9, 2025 should be considered exempt from this policy, it remains unknown how Customs and Border Patrol will apply these new rules. If your country of citizenship is subject to these restrictions, we recommend exercising caution when planning international travel and considering the potential risk that you may not be granted admission.  

If inside the U.S., travel is allowed - but re-entry is not guaranteed if your country is on the ban list.  If you need to renew your visa, visa issuance is not guaranteed.  

If outside the U.S. without a valid visa by June 9, you may not be allowed entry until the restrictions change.

• Stay in the U.S. if possible until there is clarity on implementation at ports of entry.  
• If outside the U.S., do not attempt to re-enter without a valid visa.  
• Monitor Rutgers ISSS communications -- this situation is evolving.   

If you are a new student or scholar from an affected country and currently do not have a valid visa, according to Department of State, you may still submit a visa application and schedule an interview, but you “may be ineligible for visa issuance or admission to the United States.”  Visa issuance is not guaranteed. 

Contact Rutgers ISSS immediately to discuss alternatives.  For example, international students may be eligible for deferred starts or remote initial participation.  

Possibly. Please continue to check for visa appointments at an Embassy or Consulate near you. Unfortunately, even if you are from an impacted country and can secure a visa appointment, visa issuance could be delayed.  Additionally, visa approval and U.S. entry are also not guaranteed.

• Continue with the process of completing DS-160 etc.  
• If your visa was not issued prior to June 9th, contact your academic program and the admissions office to discuss deferred enrollment or alternative arrangements.  
• Rutgers will work with you to ensure that academic and immigration compliance is maintained  

• Check Rutgers Global Alerts and watch for emails from your campus international services office   
• Contact ISSS/your campus international services office directly for support -- including visa extensions, start date adjustments, and travel signatures.  
• Rutgers Global – International Student Services - ISSS Student Advising Services – 973-972-6138    
• Rutgers Global – International Faculty & Scholar Services – ISSS International Faculty & Scholar Advising Services - 848-932-7800  
• Rutgers Newark – Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS) OISS Student Advising Services – 973-353-1427     
• Rutgers Camden - International Students & Global Programs - 856-225-6832  

This is a developing situation, and we will continue to make updates when additional information becomes available. Please note that this is general information and not legal advice. Contact immigration@global.rutgers.edu if you have questions.