Social Security Number, Tax Information and Driver's License

Social Security Number

Social Security numbers are used to report your wages to the government and generally assigned to people who are authorized to work in the United States. An International student who wants a social security number must first have an authorized employment or an offer of employment.

It is suggested that you wait until you are in the United States for at least 10 daysbefore you apply for a Social Security number to enable the Social Security Administration verify your immigration status with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) so as to avoid a delay in processing your application.

To apply for a Social Security Number you need to provide the following:

1. A completed Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5)
2. The current U.S. immigration documents:  I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status or DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status.
3. Your birth certificate or your passport to prove your age and
4. A letter of employment from the designated school official (International Services).

Remember, all documents must be originals. No photocopies of documents will be accepted. 

You can pick up an application from the International Student Advisor (Loretto Hall 57). After you have given the attendant your documents, ask for a receipt. Your social security card should be issued normally within two weeks to one month.

The location of the nearest Social Security Administration Office is:

     3890 S. Lindbergh Blvd
     St. Louis, MO 63127-1396

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  Tax Information

  All F-1 and J-1 international students who entered the United States on or before December 31 of any given year are required to file certain tax forms with the federal government in the following spring, even if they didn’t have any income during that tax year. Additionally, students who received certain taxable income (such as wages, and some scholarships) in a given year must file income tax return with the federal government and the state of Missouri in the following spring.

  Some international students are eligible for some exemptions from federal income tax withholding on wages because of tax treaties. If your country has a tax treaty with the United States you should file Form 8233 with the payroll office to claim such tax treaty exemptions.

  Multicultural Center and International Student Affairs conducts several tax workshops in the spring to assist international students at Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri file their income taxes in order to be in compliance with U.S. tax laws. However, filing federal income tax forms is the personal responsibility of each international student.

  The information contained on this Web site is meant to help Webster University international students grasp some basics of U.S. tax law. For further information on US tax system please check out Internal Revenue Service.

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    Missouri Driver License

    Missouri law requires all applicants applying for or renewing a Missouri Driver License, Non-driver License (State ID) or Instruction Permit to show proof of lawful presence, proof of identity and proof of residency.

    Proof of Lawful Presence

    You must present the appropriate United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which indicate your current status.  All documents must be valid at the time of application. All F-1 and J-1 students must present the following documents:

    • Passport
    • I-94
    • A letter from the school showing verification that you are a current student
    • Form I-20 for F-1 Student or Form DS-2019 for J-1 students.

    Proof of Identity

    • Provide Social Security Number, if one has been assigned; or
    • If a Social Security Number has not been assigned, you must present a letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA) regarding the status of the applicant’s Social Security Number or his or her ineligibility.

    Proof of Residency

    Present one of the following:

    • Utility bill, most recent (phone, water, gas, electric, trash or sewer, etc.)
    • Bank statement, most recent
    • Pay check, most recent
    • Housing rental contract of current residence
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