Determining Eligibility for a Social Security Number and Card

Eligibility for a Social Security number and card varies, depending on your situation. If you need a Social Security number but are not eligible for one (based on the eligibility requirements listed below), you may apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) through the U-M Payroll Office. The U-M Payroll Office is located in the Wolverine Tower building (S. State and Eisenhower Streets). The ITIN is issued officially by the U.S. government (not the U-M Payroll Office) and may take several months to receive.

Visa Type	Eligibility Requirements
F-1 students	Eligible only if you have evidence of authorization for the following situations: On-campus employment Curricular Practical Training (C.P.T.) with C.P.T. endorsement on page 2 of your I-20 form Optional Practical Training (O.P.T.) with an Employment Authorization Document (E.A.D.) card. NOTE: F-1 students who were issued E.A.D. cards for other reasons (employment authorization due to severe economic hardship, for example) are also eligible to apply for a Social Security number.
F-2 dependents	Not eligible to receive a Social Security number.
J-1 students and scholars	Automatically eligible to apply for a Social Security number.
J-2 dependents	Eligible to apply for a Social Security number only if you are a J-2 dependent who has applied for work authorization and received your Employment Authorization Document (E.A.D.).
H-1B employees	Automatically eligible to apply for a Social Security number.
H-4 dependents	Not eligible to receive a Social Security number.

If you are eligible for a social security number, visit the Applying for a Social Security Number and Card page for more instructions. If you are not eligible for a social security number, you can request a “Letter of Ineligibility” from the Ann Arbor Social Security Office. If you are not in Ann Arbor, you can ask your local Social Security Administration office how to apply for a Letter of Ineligibility.