The Social Security Administration (SSA) will only issue Social Security numbers to F-1 student visa holders or J-1 exchange visitors who actually have an on-campus job or have a firm promise of a job on-campus that will begin in the near future, or to those students authorized for Curricular Practical Training or with Employment Authorization Document (EAD) cards issued for Optional Practical Training or economic necessity.

If the applicants do not have a job or commitment of a job, they will not be issued a Social Security number. Social Security will not accept applications more than 30 days in advance of the employment start date.

For more information on the process for applying for the Social Security number, visit our website.

Documents to Take to the Social Security Administration

• Document that shows you have submitted the online form, which includes the unique ID
• Valid Passport (except Canadian citizens)
• I-94 Card
• I-20 or DS-2019
• Employer’s letter stating the following:
  • Name of student
  • Name of employer
  • Date that employment will begin
  • Type of employment and number of hours per week
  • Signature of hiring authority
• Certification of full-time enrollment and eligibility for employment from a Designated School Official (DSO). Students on J visas will need to get this letter from their sponsor.

Location of the Social Security Administration

The nearest office to The University of Tampa is located  23 minutes from campus in North Tampa.

For Hartline Bus users: Take Bus #10 to Frontage Road
Address: 4010 Gunn Highway, Suite 100, Tampa, FL 33618
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Wednesday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

For Hartline Bus Users it would take at least 1 hour: Take Bus #14 at S Howard St and W Horation St, get off 27 stops later at Armenia Av and Rambla, and take Bus #39 at Busch Blvd and Armenia Av and get off 6 stops later at Gunn Hwy and Premier North Dr, then walk to 4010 Gunn Highway.

Note: Since all persons seeking cards must be verified by immigration authorities, there will be a delay before getting your card. You may begin employment before getting the Social Security card if you get a receipt from the Social Security Administration showing that the application has been made but wages may be delayed until the actual card is received.