Social Security Number Guide: Document Checklist for Nepali F-1 Students
Obtaining your Social Security number early makes life easier. Payroll needs it for on-campus jobs, banks ask for it and it helps with how to build credit in the U.S. You can apply as soon as you have eligible work and the right documents. This page explains when you qualify, which papers to bring, how to move fast and what to do if something stalls.
Know when you qualify and when to go
First confirm you’re eligible. F-1 students can apply for an SSN when one of these is true:
- You have an on-campus job offer that follows work authorization for international students rules.
- You have approved curricular practical training (CPT) tied to your program.
- You’re on optional practical training (OPT) with your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in hand.
Timing matters. Use these simple cutoffs:
- Wait at least 10 days after arriving in the U.S. so your entry record syncs across systems.
- Make sure your Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) record is active. For on-campus jobs, your international office must note your employment. For CPT or OPT, the authorization must be issued on your I-20 or EAD.
- Apply soon after those steps, but only when you can bring every document on the checklist below.
Name order and dates must match across all papers. If your Nepali passport shows a single name or a different order than your I-20, ask your Designated School Official (DSO) for the correct format to use on the SS-5 form.
Your fast-track document checklist
Bring original, unexpired documents. Photocopies do not work. Organize them in this order so your visit is quick.
For on-campus employment
- Passport with F-1 visa and most recent entry stamp
- I-94 arrival record printed from the Customs and Border Patrol site
- I-20 showing your current program dates
- Job offer letter from your campus employer with start date, hours and department contact
- Employment verification letter from the international office that confirms you are authorized to work on campus
- Completed SS-5 application signed in black or blue ink
- U.S. address where you can receive mail for at least four weeks
For CPT
- Passport, I-94, and I-20 with CPT authorization listing the employer and dates
- CPT job offer letter with start date, hours per week and work location
- Completed SS-5 application and a reliable U.S. mailing address
For OPT
- Passport and I-94
- I-20 with OPT recommendation
- EAD card
- Job offer letter or employer info you can write on the SS-5
- Completed SS-5 application and mailing address
Quick precheck before you go:
- Names match across your passport, I-20 and job letters.
- Dates align with your offer and authorization.
- Your address is accurate and has a mailbox with your name on it.
- You saved photos of every document in one cloud folder.
Where to apply:
Use the Social Security office locator to find the nearest office. Many accept walk-ins, but booking an appointment can save time. Bring a pen and your own copies to reference while you fill out forms.
How MPOWER Financing supports your setup
MPOWER Financing focuses on international students at eligible universities in the U.S. and Canada. MPOWER does not require a U.S. cosigner or collateral in Nepal, which keeps family property unpledged while you study. In the U.S., funds can be used at eligible universities for approved education costs such as tuition, fees and living expenses listed by your university. In Canada, funds cover tuition and university-invoiced expenses. That clarity helps you avoid using high-interest cards to cover school bills while you wait for payroll to start.
This also connects to your identity footprint. With tuition funded through a clear source, you can keep your first credit card limit small, pay in full and build a score slowly once your SSN arrives. If a gap remains, a no-cosigner private student loan option to cover the shortfall can fit your study abroad budgeting and keep international student loan repayment comfortable later.
Fast-track playbook and troubleshooting
Follow these steps in order. Most students can complete them within two weeks.
- Lock your work start date. Confirm your on-campus job or CPT or OPT start date by email. Save the email as proof.
- Ask for letters. Request the employer letter and the international office letter on the same day. Give each office the exact wording your SSA office expects.
- Fill SS-5 neatly. Use the name order your DSO confirms. Leave unknown fields blank rather than guessing.
- Plan your visit. Choose a morning slot on a light class day. Bring a folder with originals in the order listed above.
- Keep a receipt. Ask for a printout or note the case number after you apply. The card usually arrives by mail.
- Protect your number. Memorize your SSN, then store the card safely. Do not carry it daily.
What to do if things stall:
- Mail issues: If the card has not arrived after the window your SSA office gave you, return with your receipt. Verify your address and ask for status.
- Name mismatch: If SSA flags a mismatch, bring the DSO letter that explains your name order and the I-20 that matches your passport.
- No eligible job yet: You cannot get an SSN until you have eligible work. Save your documents now and apply as soon as you secure on-campus employment or CPT.
- Banking without an SSN: Many banks let you open an account with a passport and I-20. Ask for a basic checking account so you can receive pay and avoid check-cashing fees.
- Credit without an SSN: Some secured cards accept an ITIN. Start small, pay in full and add your SSN to the account once it arrives so history follows you.
Simple security tips:
- Share your SSN only with payroll, banks and the Internal Revenue Service.
- Never type your SSN in email or text. Use secure forms or provide it by phone only to verified numbers.
- Enable two-factor authentication on every financial app you use.
With the right documents and a plan, your SSN setup becomes a short errand, not a semester-long stress point. You’ll be ready for payroll, banking and the credit steps that support your life in the U.S.
