Social Security Number
It is imperative that you do not apply for a social security card
before your check-in at the PDS/VS office. Doing so may cause substantial delay in obtaining your social security card. The staff in
the PDS/VS office will assist you in filling out an application for your social security number and provide you
with a map to the Social Security Office in Pasadena. It is
now possible that additional delays will occur as the
Social Security Administration
must receive data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, previously INS) when individuals first enter the
U.S. We recommend going to the Social Security office
2 weeks after your arrival. Please bring your passport, immigration documents and your
appointment letter from Caltech to the Social Security office. It may take anywhere from 3 - 6 weeks to receive your social security
number;
however, Caltech will still pay your salary while you are in the process of applying for a number.
You will receive your social security card in the mail. Banks, landlords and other businesses may sometimes ask for your social security number. Be sure to verify why the number is needed and use discretion when giving it out. Your social security number is used to keep a record of your earnings.
