Tax Identification Number Information

Information for Nonresidents on Social Security Numbers (SSN) and Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

Social Security Numbers (SSN)

All nonresident aliens who receive employment income in the U.S. are eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN). You must apply with the Social Security Office after being in the country for 10 days and the card will generally be issued to you within 2 weeks.

Individuals will need the following:
-Social Security Card application
-A an employment letter from your hiring department (sample letter)
-F-1 & J-1 students need a letter from the International Office that states you are eligible for the Social Security number (please click here to request letter from the International Office).
-Your ORIGINAL, unexpired passport, I-94 card (white card stapled inside your passport), and your immigration documentation (I-20, DS-2019, or I-797, and/or EAD).

The closest Social Security offices are located at 2116 Green Bay Road in Evanston and 77 W. Jackson Blvd, Suite 300 in Chicago. Additional offices can be found on the Social Security website. Their office hours are Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Additional information can also be found on the International Office website.

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)

Nonresidents who will receive stipends from a scholarship or fellowship, but will not be employed in any other way such as a graduate assistantship or temporary employment, will not be eligible for a SSN and must complete Form W-7, Application for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). This form will be generated for you as part of the FNIS process and must be turned in to the Payroll Office. ITINs are issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and must be presented to the Payroll Office after you receive it.
If you become eligible for a Social Security Number later, because of employment at the University such as a graduate assistantship or temporary employment, you must apply for a SSN and provide the SSN to Payroll since this will replace your ITIN. You must notify the IRS in writing that you have obtained your Social Security Number (SSN). The letter must state that you have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and now also have a SSN and you will discontinue use of the ITIN. It must include your legal name, current street address, city, state, zip, previously assigned ITIN, new SSN, the current date, and signature.

Mail this letter to:
Internal Revenue Service
ITIN Operation
P.O. Box 149342
Austin , TX 78714-7342

Anyone receiving payments through payroll must provide a copy of their Social Security card or Form W-7, if not eligible for an SSN, to the Payroll Office as soon as possible. Faculty, researchers, graduate assistants, and fellowship recipients may receive payments for up to 30 days without providing their SSN. After 30 days these payments will be stopped until this is received in Payroll. All other employees, including temporary student employees, must have a Social Security Card before they can begin working.

Please contact payroll if you have any questions. We can be contacted on the Evanston campus at 720 University Place, 2nd floor or 847-491-7362 and on the Chicago campus at Abbott Hall, room 850 or 312-503-9700. We can also be reached at payroll@northwestern.edu .