Identification Number Requirements for International Visitors
Overview
If you need to hire a non-resident alien as an independent contractor,
that individual must first have some sort of taxpayer's identification
number - either a Social Security Number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification
Number. Some non-resident aliens are not eligible for a social
security number by virtue of their visa status.
All processing of requests for Social Security Numbers or Individual
Taxpayer Identification Numbers must be made through Purdue University.
The process is complex and can take several weeks to complete.
Departments should weigh the necessity of contracting with non-resident
aliens against the difficulty in completing the payment process.
Individuals Not Eligible For A Social Security Number
International visitors who are not eligible for a social security number
may be issued an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) by
providing the proper documentation and completing a Form
W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
The only people who are not eligible for a social security number
are individuals with the following visa types:
| Non-Resident Aliens
NOT ELIGIBLE for Social Security Number |
| B1 |
Visitor for business |
| B2 |
Visitor for pleasure |
| F2 |
Spouse or dependent of F-1 |
| H4 |
Spouse or dependent of H-1 |
| J2 |
Spouse or dependent of J-1 (unless the individual
has an I-688B card) |
| O3 |
Spouse or dependent of O-1 |
| WB |
Visitor for business |
| WT |
Visitor for pleasure |
The required documentation includes:
- A foreign passport (that does not contain information inconsistent
with a claim of non-residence in the United States).
- A valid document issued by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization
Service (INS) in accordance with that agency’s regulations, establishing
the non-U.S. status and residence of the applicant, or
- A foreign birth record along with one of the following documents:
- driver’s license
- identity card
- voter’s registration card
- school record
- medical record
- marriage record
- military registration card
The document(s) described above may be relied upon if it has a photograph
of the individual, an address in a foreign country, has not expired,
and is not older than three years regardless of validity.
If the document is lacking a photograph or is older than three years,
the document may only be used as supporting evidence of alien status
and residency.
If it appears that the individual is residing in the United States,
evidence supporting the reasons for the applicant’s ineligibility
for a Social Security number must be obtained from the applicant.
Accounting Services will forward the completed ITIN applications to
Purdue Disbursements for further forwarding to the Internal Revenue
Service. The IRS will issue an ITIN on a Form 9844, Individual Taxpayer
Identification Number (ITIN) card and mail the form to Disbursements
at Purdue University. Disbursements will then return the ITIN
to Accounting Services.
Upon receipt of the Form 9844 a copy will be attached to the interview
documents and the original card forwarded to the address designated
by the applicant on the Form W-7.
When in the course of an ongoing educational or business relationship,
the status of the individual changes such that the individual has become
eligible for a social security number or has already obtained one, the
applicant must notify the IRS if there is a change in status.
Individuals Eligible For A Social Security Number
F-1 students generally have work authorization. If an F-1 provides
the appropriate documentation, he/she may be assigned a work-authorization
social security number after properly completing a Form SS-5, Application
for Social Security Card.
When applying for a social security number the F-1 visaholder must
present their Passport/Visa, I-94 Card,
I-20-ID form along with a work authorization letter from the University.
This letter may be obtained from the International Student & Scholar
(ISS) office at Purdue University.
J-1’s are admitted to take part in an Exchange Visitor program
designated by the U.S. Information Agency (USIA). J-1’s usually
study, teach, receive training, or obtain general employment while being
sponsored by an USIA approved program. Some J-1’s are automatically
authorized to work. Others require the permission of their sponsors.
When applying for a social security number the J-1 visaholder must
present their Passport/Visa, I-94 Card, and IAP-66 then properly complete
a Form SS-5, Application for Social Security
Card.
If the J-1’s IAP-66 form has one of the following categories checked,
work authorization is automatic.
- Trainee
- Teacher
- Professor
- Alien Physician
- Government Visitor
- Research Scholar
- Short-Term Scholar
- Specialist
- Camp Counselor
If the J-1’s IAP-66 form has one of the following categories checked,
an I-688B (Employment Authorization Card) or a work authorization letter
from the University must be presented when applying for the social security
number. This letter may be obtained from the International Student &
Scholar (ISS) office at Purdue University.
- Student
- International Visitor
We realize that frequently we have visitors that may only be at the
University for a day or two. If these individuals enter the United States
on an F-1 or J-1 visa, they are eligible for a social security number
not an ITIN number.
We also recognize that time constraints make it inconvenient for the
individual to apply for a social security number in such a short period
of time. However according to IRS regulations it seems that we do not
have a choice.
How to Apply for a Social Security Number
James Weiss, Manager and Janet Winters, Field Representative of the
Social Security Administration Lafayette office have agreed to work
with Purdue in helping our international visitors obtain a social security
number with the least amount of problems. The proposed process is as
follows:
- A copy of the Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card
with Section 2 is available on this site. The
Form SS-5 is also available at the Social
Security Administration Home Site under Forms. If the form is
printed from the Web, the Mailing Address should be filled in before
the international visitor completes the form.
The departments will maintain a supply or a master copy of Letter
of Approval giving the Social Security Administration the authority
to fax the newly assigned social security number to the Disbursements
Department. This procedure will enable the Disbursements Department
to have the individual's social security number the next day.
The individual should complete the Form SS-5, review and sign the
letter, then physically present the completed form and supporting
documents to the local Social Security Office. It may be necessary
for someone at the department to accompany the individual to the
Social Security office.
The Social Security Office will process the application and fax
the social security number to Purdue University Disbursements (765-494-1728)
the next day. Disbursements will update the records and forward
the information to the department.
When the actual Social Security card is issued, Disbursements will
verify with the faxed number and forward the card to the home department
of the employee.
The home department records the number for departmental use, then
forwards the card to the employee.
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