Office of International Programs

All international students who have been approved for either on campus or off campus employment will need to apply for a Social Security number. You must apply in person at the Social Security Administration office in Wilkesboro.

If you are a F-1 or J-1 student and need a social security number for employment, you will need to bring the following documents with you:

• A letter from your employer with: your job, employment start date, the number of hours you are or will be working, your supervisor's name and telephone number. This letter must be signed and dated by your supervisor. 
• Passport
• Your I-94 number. You can print out your I-94 number online at: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home
• Your most recent Form I-20 (F students) or DS-2019 (J students)
• A letter from our office that: identifies you, verifies your status and identifies your employer and the type of work you will be doing. To request a letter, please compete and submit our request online (TDS). 
• A completed application for a social security number (form SS-5). You can find the form here: https://www.ssa.gov
• IMPORTANT: If you are are an F-1 student and need a social security number for off-campus employment (CPT or OPT), you must bring your I-20 with CPT/OPT endorsement and your EAD card. 

If you are a J-1 Scholar or an international faculty member, you will need to bring the following documents with you:

• Passport
• Your I-94 number. You can print out your I-94 number online at: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/ 
• Your DS-2019, Employment Authorization Document (if on OPT) or H1B approval notice (Form I-797). 
• Your offer letter and or contract from Appalachian. 
• A completed application for a social security number (form SS-5). You can find the form here: https://www.ssa.gov
• A letter from our office that: identifies you, verifies your status and the type of work you will be doing. To request a letter, please compete and submit our request online (Link Coming Soon).