TN 2 (02-10)

When a recent pay slip, letter from the Designated School Official (DSO), or letter from an employer is required to establish employment status the document(s) must meet the following requirements.

A. A letter or statement from the DSO

The letter or statement must be on school letterhead. The letter must show all of the following:

• printed or typed, name, signature, and telephone number of the DSO;

• date the letter or statement is signed;

• the name of a single F1 student applying for an SSN;

• indication that the student is attending school;

• name of approved school attended;

• on-campus employer name and contact information; and

• nature of the on-campus employment.

NOTE: If the work is at an off-campus location, either the DSO or the employer must indicate that the employer is either educationally affiliated with the school or a contractually funded research project at the post-graduate level (e.g., working on scientific research for a private firm, “XYZ Scientific Corporation,” under contract to the school).

B. Recent pay slip or stub

The F-1 student’s most recent pay slip from his or her on-campus employer, if the student has already started a job, must show the student’s name and identify the employer. Verify with the employer that the student is working or did work for that employer if the pay slip is not recent or there is any other reason to question its authenticity. If the employer confirms the work but indicates that the student is no longer working, treat this as employment verification and process the SSN application. Even when the student is no longer working, if employment status is confirmed, the employer will need the SSN for wage reporting purposes.

NOTE: If the work is at an off-campus location, either the DSO or the employer must indicate that the employer is either educationally affiliated with the school or a contractually funded research project at the post-graduate level (e.g., working on scientific research for a private firm, “XYZ Scientific Corporation,” under contract to the school).

C. Letter or statement from employer

An original letter or statement from the F1 student’s employer must be typed or written on employer’s (school or company) letterhead and show all of the following:

• name of the F-1 student employee;

• description of the employment;

• anticipated or actual employment start date no more than 30 days in the future at the time of application for an SSN;

• number of hours the student is expected to work;

• employer identity number (EIN);

• employer contact information, including the telephone number and the name of the F1 student’s immediate supervisor;

• verification of the employment status (i.e. student has been hired);

• original signature with signatory’s title and date.

NOTE: If the work is at an off-campus location, either the DSO or the employer must indicate that the employer is either educationally affiliated with the school or a contractually funded research project at the post-graduate level (e.g., working on scientific research for a private firm, “XYZ Scientific Corporation,” under contract to the school).

NOTE: Do not accept evidence of employment status from the DSO (who provided the DSO letter) even if the DSO is the employer. Employment verification must come from another source other than the DSO such as the department or payroll official that issues the paycheck and is responsible for wage reporting.

D. Reference

• RM 10211.240, Evidence of Immigration Status and Employment Authorization for an F1 Foreign Student for an SSN Card

• RM 10211.310, Sample DSO and Employer Letter to SSA for F1 General On-Campus Employment