Social Security Numbers & Driver's License                                  Issue 11
Greetings!

This Tip of the Week is for those of you will apply for a Social Security Number or a Maryland driver's license after arriving in the US. This is the final Tip of the Week!  We look forward to meeting you very soon during the International Student Orientation!
Note: Applying for Social Security and a Driver's License requires a government agency to verify your arrival in the US and your immigration status--you must wait at least 2 weeks after doing your iTerp check-in before this data is processed. Do not apply too early or it will require secondary verification, resulting in longer delays.



WHO CAN APPLY FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SSN)?

  Social Security numbers are issued for tax purposes only. They are used to identify you within the government tax and pension system. Only those with authorized employment are eligible for Social Security numbers .

Visit our ISSS website for detailed information on how to get a social security number. 
 
You must apply for the SSN in any of these cases:
  1. You have an offer to be a Graduate Research Assistant or Teaching Assistant
  2. You get an on-campus job or off-campus paid internship in the future (once you have the offer).
  3. If you will apply for a Maryland Driver's license and do not have a job.  You are required to obtain a letter of ineligibility from the Social Security office.  
WHEN DO YOU NOT NEED TO APPLY FOR A SSN?

You are NOT eligible for the SSN if you do not have a paid position in the U.S.  because, again, the primary purpose of the SSN is to tax income. 

Don't worry! Not having the SSN does not prevent you from renting an apartment, opening a bank account or utility account (gas, electric, etc.) getting a cell phone plan, etc. If a business representative asks you for a SSN, simply inform them that you are an international student and do not have a Social Security Card. There will be another system to identify you.

You do not need a SSN to obtain a driver's license. However, before your driver's license can be obtained in Maryland you will  need to go to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to obtain a letter of ineligibility, which states that you are not eligible for a SSN and you will need to take to the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) when you go in person to get your license.


WHEN DO YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR A DRIVER'S LICENSE?

If you will drive in the U.S., you will need a U.S. driver's license. You should apply for the license in the state in which you reside. That means, apply for a license in DC if you live in Washington, DC or in Maryland if you live in Maryland. Each state has different processes and rules of the road. 

If you will need a Maryland driver's license, the first step to obtaining a driver's license is to complete a S.A.V.E. Verification Request Form online to verify your status in the US.  Please wait two weeks after iTerp check-in to do this. Upon completion of this form, a MVA representative will contact you with the verification results and information to continue the process.  

Information is also available on the website here , with links to the relevant websites for Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC licenses. 


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We hope that you find these emails informative and helpful.  You are receiving them because you have been accepted to the University of Maryland for the Spring 2020 semester.  If you do not intend to enroll at UMD and would like to stop receiving these emails, please inform your department and the Graduate School (graduate students) or the admissions office (undergraduate students) that you decline your admission.