Getting Your Social Security Card
All international students must get a US Social Security Card before being allowed to work in the United States (including on-campus work), before getting a NY driver's license, and before opening a bank account with Community Bank on campus. Unfortunately, the Social Security Administration will not let you apply for a Social Security Card until you've been in the US for ~ 20 days.
The easiest way to get your card is to sign up to go on the trip to the Social Security office that will be arranged by the Director of Intercultural Student Programs. If you plan to go on your own, make sure you take all of the below documents. The nearest office is in Olean (a 45-minute drive away). Be sure to allow yourself at least 3 hours for the roundtrip, as students often must wait in the office for an interview. Directions to the office may be found by clicking here.
All students must bring the following documents to the interview;
- Passport & I-94
- I-20
- Complete SS-5 Social Security Application
- Proof of Student Status & Employment (This document may only be obtained from the Director of Intercultural Student Programs. DO NOT leave Houghton without it!)
About 1 - 2 weeks after your interview you will receive a letter in the mail stating that your application is in process. Take this letter to the Payroll Office (along with the other documents outlines in the "Working at Houghton page) in order to begin working. You should receive your actual Social Security Card in another 1 - 3 weeks.
