While working in the United States your wages must be reported
to the IRS and applicable deductions must be taken. To ensure
proper reporting you must obtain a Social Security number and card,
which will be used to report your wages to the government and
determine your eligibility for future Social Security benefits.
You must visit a Social Security Office in person to apply for a
Social Security number and card. You can use the Social
Security Office Locator to find the Social Security Office
nearest to you and its hours of operation.
We recommend waiting 7-10 days after first entering the U.S. in
a work authorized status before applying for a Social Security
number, as there is typically a lag in information sharing between
CBP and the Social Security Administration. If you apply too soon,
you may be instructed to return at a later date when they are able
to verify your eligibility to apply. Only individuals in a work
authorized status are eligible to apply for a
