J-1 Visa holders are eligible to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN), and we encourage obtaining one! J-1 participants will need an SSN in order to get paid by their host company. Even if the program is unpaid, an SSN can be useful for opening a U.S. bank account, filing taxes, or accessing other services that require identification. Participants and hosts should discuss in advance whether this is required by the company or to receive compensation.

You should memorize your Social Security Number and keep your card at home in a safe place (not in your wallet). Never give your Social Security Number to an unreliable source and never email it, not even to Cultural Vistas. If you are asked to provide the number online, make sure that the connection is secure.  If someone calls you or texts you and requests your number, it may be a scam.

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Key Takeaways:

• It’s recommended to wait at least 10 days after arriving in the U.S. and 48 hours after submitting your address for SEVIS validation before applying for an SSN to avoid processing delays.
• Be sure to bring all documents required for a J-1 SSN, including your passport, DS-2019, DS-7002, I-94 record, and sponsorship letter.
• SSNs are valid for life. You do not need to reapply if you already have one.

Applying for an SSN for J-1 visa holders is a multi-step process that requires timing, documentation, and in-person verification. J-1 participants may arrive in the U.S. up to 30 days before the program start date, and they may use this time to apply for the SSN.

How to Apply for a Social Security Number on a J-1 Visa

To apply for a Social Security Number, J-1 participants must complete the following steps:

Step 1: Validate your J-1 visa in SEVIS

Upon arrival to the U.S., participants must send us their U.S. residential address via our website. We will then use this information to validate their visa within the government SEVIS database within two business days. Social Security offices will not accept an SSN application unless the J-1 visa has been validated in SEVIS.

Step 2: Apply and schedule now, but wait before attending appointment 

It is advised that participants apply online for their SSN if that option is available to them. However, the appointment should be scheduled no less than 10 days after entry to the U.S. and 48 hours after providing Cultural Vistas with the required information to validate their visa. This is to ensure that all databases have adequate time to communicate with one another. Attending an appointment before this time may result in further delays 

Step 3: Gather Your J-1 Visa SSN Documents

To meet the SSN requirements for J-1 visa holders, participants must bring original documents to their local Social Security office, including:

• Form SS-5: The SSN application form–can be downloaded from the Social Security website.
• Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status)
• Letter of Sponsorship (printed from their approval email sent by Cultural Vistas)
• I-94 Record Printout: The admission number and electronic I-94 can be accessed online for the duration of the J-1 program here. Participants should click on “Get Most Recent I-94” to save and print their I-94 travel record. This should list their most recent entry into the U.S.
• Passport with J-1 visa
• Form DS-7002 (Training/Internship Placement Plan)- only for J-1 Interns and Trainees
• Offer letter from host company (if available)

Step 4: Visit a Social Security office in person

Participants must apply in person at their local SSA office. You can start your application online and schedule your visit, but final submission requires an in-person appointment with the original documents listed above.

Step 5: Wait for your Social Security Number card

Once your application is submitted, it may take up to two weeks or more for the card to arrive by mail at the address provided on the SSN application form.

Do J-1 participants need an SSN to begin the program?

No!  Please read the guidance from the Social Security Administration on this topic. Participants can be added to their host organization’s payroll without an SSN. They can show the receipt of having applied for the card, and/ or the host organization will be able to use a “dummy number” to enroll them on the payroll until they get their number. Participants must give their host organization their Social Security Number (listed on the card they receive) as soon as they receive it. Sometimes a payroll software or provider may require SSN and employers need to contact the company to find a workaround.

As a reminder, participants should not be classified as independent contractors.

What if a participant already has a Social Security Number?

There are two types of Social Security Numbers. One is valid for work and the other is not. If a participant previously received an SSN while on a past J-1 program or visit to the U.S., they should continue to use that same number and card only if it states “VALID FOR WORK ONLY WITH DHS AUTHORIZATION”. If it does not, you need have this updated by applying for a replacement card but you will have the same number.

Does a J-1 SSN expire after the program ends?

No. A Social Security Number issued to a J-1 visa holder remains valid indefinitely. While a participant’s legal ability to work depends on their visa status, the SSN itself does not expire and should not be re-applied for in future programs.

Can J-2s apply for an SSN?

Yes, J-2s with work authorization can apply for an SSN. Generally, J-2s who are not working are not eligible for one. If a dependent needs a tax ID number for some other reason, they may be able to apply for an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS.

Having trouble?

If a participant runs into any problems obtaining the SSN, they should reach out to their primary contact at Cultural Vistas, or train@culturalvistas.org – we are happy to help!