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What is a Social Security number?
Essentially, a Social Security number is a unique number assigned to you by the federal Social Security Administration so that employers know you have valid work authorization. It is also necessary for employers to be able to tax your income appropriately. A Social Security number by itself is NOT a “work card” or “work permit” and must be used in conjunction with other documents establishing lawful immigration status in the US, such as your Form I-20 (for F-1 students) or Form DS-2019 (J-1 students).
How can I apply for a Social Security Number?
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Step 1: Apply for on-campus jobs at UAB
You cannot apply for a Social Security number without an on-campus job offer. Create a profile on Handshake, schedule an appointment with the Career Consultant for your major, visit the Director of Career Services for your school, look at bulletin boards on campus in your department and classroom buildings, or attend job fairs to learn about on-campus job opportunities. “On campus” means that the job takes place physically on property belonging to UAB and that you will be paid by an entity that directly provides services to UAB students as part of the university. Examples of valid on-campus employers (and examples of employers that are NOT considered “on-campus”) for F-1 students are listed here. Please read the list and be sure your employer qualifies as on-campus!
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Step 2: Obtain an official job offer in writing from an on-campus employer
After you receive a job offer letter from an on-campus employer, you MUST request the on-campus employment verification letters from your on-campus employer and ISSS.
- There are 2 separate letters that you MUST obtain before you visit the Social Security Administration.
- An on-campus employment verification letter issued by on-campus employer. (See a
letter template (PDF). - An on-campus employment verification letter issued by ISSS.
- An on-campus employment verification letter issued by on-campus employer. (See a
You cannot apply for a Social Security number until you have been in the US for at least ten business days, since it can take that long for your electronic I-94 number to be processed through government databases. Let your on-campus UAB employer know that HR can generate a temporary ID number for you for up to 30 days while you wait for the Social Security card to arrive.
- There are 2 separate letters that you MUST obtain before you visit the Social Security Administration.
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Step 3: Go to the Social Security Administration Office in Downtown Birmingham
On the day of your appointment, take the relevant documents listed below to the Social Security Administration (SSA) office, located at:
Social Security Administration
1200 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. North
Birmingham, AL 35285The office is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and from 9:00 a.m. until noon on Wednesday. The parking entrance is on 12th Street.
If you’re in the U.S., you can apply online, then go to a local Social Security office to provide your documentation. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a Social Security card with your number on it by mail within 14 days. If your application is rejected, ask for a supervisor. If a supervisor is unavailable, call ISSS at (205) 934-3328 and ask the SSA officer to speak with one of our international student advisors. The SSA officer will not be able to tell you your Social Security number that day. You must wait for the card to arrive in the mail.
During non-COVID operations, you would need to gather the following documents for your Social Security Number (SSN) application:
- Unexpired passport
- Your electronic Form I-94, printed from the CBP website
- Signed, valid Form I-20 (for F-1 students) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1 students)
- Completed Form SS-5 application
- On-Campus Employer Verification Letter signed by your employment supervisor
- Verification of On-Campus Employment letter signed by an ISSS staff member
Read more about international students and social security numbers Opens an external link.
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Step 4: Visit the Records Office to update your Form I-9
Once you receive your Social Security card in the mail, UAB officials must update several databases and change your temporary ID to your permanent Social Security number. This is very important so that you can continue to be paid! When your card arrives in the mail, you MUST make an appointment with the HRM Records Office at BKG-UAB Human Resources (office365.com) so that they can update your Form I-9 in the Guardian database so that you can continue to be paid. You will receive an email from perfectcompliance.com saying “Your assistance is needed.” Do not delete this email! It contains important instructions about how to finish the hiring process so that you can be paid.
You must also inform the ISSS office of your Social Security number so that we can update the International Tax Navigator database. If you do not notify both the Records Office and ISSS of your new Social Security number, you may experience significant delays in payment.
Applying for an Alabama Driver License
Students in F-1 or J-1 status are eligible to apply for an Alabama driver license after entering the US and beginning coursework. Students must have at least 160 days remaining on their I-20 or DS-2019 and present either a Social Security card or a ‘denial letter’ from the Birmingham Social Security office along with their I-94, passport, and a good standing letter from the ISSS office. F1 visa students with a one semester pathway or Academic English I-20 will not be eligible to apply for an Alabama license until they progress to a new academic program and receive an updated I-20 with more than 160 days validity. Please know, a valid Alabama license is required to legally register a new vehicle in the state of Alabama. Below are frequently asked questions about the license application process.
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Do I need a Social Security number to apply for an Alabama driver license?
No.
If you don’t intend to apply for a SSN, you must obtain a “proof of denial” letter from the Social Security Administration in order to apply for a driver license or state ID. The Social Security Administration building is located at 1200 Rev. Abraham Woods Jr. Blvd. North, Birmingham, AL 35285. The office is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and from 9:00 am until noon on Wednesday. The parking entrance is on 12th Street.
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How soon can I apply for an Alabama driver license after arriving in the US?
You must wait until the later of:
- 10 days after you enter the US,
- After UAB validates your SEVIS record,
- After your information appears in the SAVE system, another federal database, which the Alabama DMV consults before issuing a driver license.
If your record is not active in SAVE, the DMV will not issue the license. UAB has no control over how long it takes for SEVIS to communicate with SAVE for your record to become active there. We recommend waiting until at least 10 days after your entry in the US before applying for a license.
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How many days do I need on my form DS-2019 to apply for a driver license?
Your Form DS-2019 must be valid for at least 160 calendar days beyond the date your driver license is issued. If you do not have 160 days remaining and need to drive while in the US, you should obtain an International Driver License (IDL) in your home country. An IDL can be valid for up to a year.
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What documentation should I bring when applying for an Alabama driver license?
Please read the list below carefully and bring the documents that apply to you:
- Valid passport
- Form I-20 or DS-2019 valid for at least 160 more days
- Most recent Form I-94
- Original paper Social Security Card (not a copy)
- “Proof of denial letter” if you do not have a Social Security number (see above – question 1)
- Credit/debit card or cash for driver license fee (currently $36.25)
- Cash or money order for the road test (currently $5)
- Good standing letter request
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Where do I go to apply for an Alabama driver license?
While there are many offices in Alabama that issue driver licenses, the only office in the Birmingham area that will issue a license to international students is:
908 Bankhead Highway W
Birmingham, AL 35201
Phone: (205) 252-7445Based on other experience, the best time to go is on a Wednesday morning before noon. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 11:00 am and from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
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What should I expect during the driver license tests?
You must pass both a written test and a road test and present all documentation listed in question 3 above. You will also have to pass a vision test. You must provide a vehicle to take the driving test—the DMV will not provide a vehicle for you. If you do not have an International Driver License, you must have a licensed driver take you to the driver license office. This licensed driver must be willing to let you use his/her vehicle for the road test and must be able to provide proof of auto insurance for the vehicle. The officer will inspect the vehicle to make sure it is fully functional (i.e., working turn signals, horn, etc.) before beginning the road test. Practice driving the vehicle in an empty parking lot to become comfortable driving before being tested.
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How can I have a successful experience at the DMV?
Be very nice and patient with the DMV officials, even if they are not nice and patient with you. Prepare for the tests, bring all the documents listed above, and listen carefully to DMV officials’ instructions. It will take a long time and may be very stressful and frustrating, but be cooperative and kind, and everything should go well. If you pass the tests the first time, you won’t have to come back!
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Should I study for the written test?
Yes! A study guide is available on Alabama Law Enforcement Agency page.
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What is the cost for an Alabama driver license?
The fee for the Alabama driver license is $36.25 in cash or debit/credit card. No checks!
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When will my license arrive in the mail?
It should arrive within 30 calendar days. If it does not, call (334) 242-4400.
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How and when can I renew my driver license?
To renew a license, you must have at least 160 days (not including grace periods) left in your immigration status as reflected by the program or status end date on your Form DS-2019. You can apply to renew the license within 180 days of its date of expiration.
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Can my spouse get a driver license?
Yes! However, they must bring the same documents and have at least 160 days of validity remaining on their Form DS-2019. It is very helpful if you, as the primary J-1 visa holder, accompany your spouse to the DMV.