Anyone who works in the U.S. must have a Social Security card with a Social Security number. Numbers will only be issued to people who are eligible to be employed in the United States. Numbers are not issued for purposes of general identification (driver licenses, tax returns, bank accounts, phone service, etc. Bank accounts can be opened by completing IRS Form W-8, Certificate of Foreign Status.)

• Nonimmigrants ineligible for a Social Security Card are still able to receive a Rhode Island Driver License.
• If you have only just arrived in the U.S. to begin your academic program/or employment, please wait at least two weeks from the time of your entry to the U.S. and completion of F-1/J-1 registration, before applying for a Social Security card.
• Typically it takes the Social Security Administration up to two weeks to access your U.S entry records.
• Applying earlier or prior to completion of F-1/J-1 registration will not speed up the process, but may result in a notification from Social Security that your records could not be verified.

The Social Security card application and additional information is available online at the Social Security Administration.

To obtain a Social Security card, first you must complete the Social Security card application online. Once the SSN application is completed online, applicants will receive an email with a confirmation number starting with an "O" which can be given to a worker at the Social Security Administration. Along with your confirmation number, you must present the following documents listed below, in person to a Social Security representative. All documents submitted to the Social Security Office must match EXACTLY with the spelling of all names, date of birth, etc. of Department of Homeland Security’s records.