It may be helpful to introduce yourself to the local Social Security office, this can help if they are unfamiliar with processing the applications of internationals.

We recommend using this form when a student arrives should you need to follow up with Social Security to obtain the number on your own. Social Security Release Form

Students must apply for a Social Security Card to work in the US.

• They will need these documents with them when they apply:
• Passport and J-1 Visa
• Job Confirmation Form with the Name of their Employer
• Social Security Letter from AWA
• DS-2019 Form
• I-94 Form (stapled into their passport)
• One Official Picture ID
• They will need to provide the US address where Social Security can send their card. We recommend that you ask them to use your company address on the application. Once the card arrives you should record the Social Security Number in their file.
• After they apply, they should have a receipt of application and are legal to work before getting their card.
• It can take approximately 4-6 weeks for them to receive their card. Should it take longer we suggest they visit the office where they applied to see if there is a problem.
• We suggest, if there is a problem, that the student contact AWA while at the social security office so we can best assist.
• Some Human Resources software requires a Social Security Number to enter a new employee into the database. Please contact AWA for suggestions on working around this type of software issue.

Students must wait 10 Full Days before applying for Social Security unless you, as the employer, are able to make other arrangements with your local Social Security Office. There is a long process required for the government to be made aware of the J1 Student’s Active Legal Status. Involved in this multi-step process is the Arrival Report Submission to AWA, the Program Validation in SEVIS (Student Exchange Visitor Information System), and the Legal Status Verification in the Social Security Database. If the student applies before all these steps have been completed, it may take 8 weeks or longer for them to receive their card and number.