Social Security Number
Social Security is the name of the US welfare system. It is funded largely by a tax on wages earned in the US. A Social Security Number (SSN) connects your US wage to the Social Security system. If you are authorized to work in the US and you have a job you must have a SSN.
To be eligible for a SSN, both of the following must be true:
- You are authorized to work in the US, and
- You have a job in the US
To apply for a SSN, please do the following in this exact order:
- Obtain a SSN letter from your US employer (at VCU, this would be your hiring department).
View a sample employer SSN letter. - Obtain a SSN letter from GEO. To request a SSN letter from GEO, email your employer SSN letter to geois@vcu.edu (subject line: GEO SSN Letter). We will prepare a GEO SSN letter and email you in 2-3 business days when it is ready to be picked up at our office.
- Take the documents listed below to the Social Security office at 1834 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA 23220. Hours: Mon-Fri 9 AM-4 PM except federal holidays. The agents at the Social Security office will help you apply for a SSN. Social Security will send your SSN to you by regular US mail 7-14 days after you apply for your SSN.
F-1 Visa |
Passport, valid I-20, current I-94, employer SSN letter, GEO SSN letter |
J-1 Student Visa |
Passport, valid DS-2019, current I-94, employer SSN letter, GEO SSN letter |
J-1 Scholar Visa |
Passport, valid DS-2019, current I-94, employer SSN letter, GEO SSN letter |
H-1B Visa |
Passport, valid Form I-797A H-1B approval notice, current I-94, hiring department job offer letter (no specific SSN letters required) |
Obtain your current I-94 Record