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Life in the U.S.

Social Security Card

Recently, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has implemented a new policy that social security numbers are issued to international students for the purpose of employment only. Therefore, the SSA is requesting schools to verify that students are in need of a social security number for employment by issuing a letter addressed to the SSA office. In order for F-1 students to receive a social security letter from International Students Services, a student must have a letter on company letterhead with an official signature from either an on- or off-campus prospective employer offering the student a job.

Students should remember to take:

  • ISS social security letter
  • Employment offer letter
  • On-campus Employment Authorization (green authorization form from ISS to work on campus)
  • Original immigration documents (Form I-20, passport, visa, I-94)

The Fort Wayne Social Security office (phone: 260-747-6407) is located at:

Social Security Administration
2122 Lincoln Way Ct.
Fort Wayne, IN 46807

Please note that F-1 students must wait at least 15 days after entering the States to submit a social security card application. However, the SSA office takes between 2-4 weeks to process the social security application and send an official social security number card to students.

Please visit the Social Security Administration Web site for further information.

Indiana State ID and Driver's License

In order to drive a car in the state of Indiana and the United States, for the first couple of months you are in the country, you can use an international driver's license issued from your home country. However, you must apply for an Indiana Driver License in order to be able to continue to drive a car legally in the State of Indiana. Before you can receive an Indiana license you must pass both a written test and a driving test. To learn more about the test, please visit the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) Web site.

Non-driver State Photo ID

An international student who does not have a driver license can apply to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) for a non-driver state photo ID card. He/She must provide originals of the following documents for a total of 6 points in order to apply for the non-driver state photo ID card:

  1. A valid passport with your visa and form I-94 with status code F1 or F2 and form I-20. You must show your original entry document and any extension document stamped by the USCIS with form I-20
  2. A U.S. Social Security card that shows your signature
  3. A U.S. college photo ID card and an academic transcript
  4. A supermarket check-cashing card, bank card, or bank statement
  5. An utility bill including the bursar's bill

If you do not have a social security number, you must provide a letter or form SSA-L676 from the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) that states you are not eligible for a Social Security Card. Please visit the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) for more information.

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