Social Security Numbers, Driver's Licenses, & Airport Pick-Up     
Issue 11
Also:
Quick Links...
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 in a few weeks during the International Student Orientation!
Note: Applying for Social Security and the 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 becomes available to them. 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 cards.

 

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. You also need to apply for the SSN if you will apply for a Maryland Driver's license, although if you do not have a job, you will be found ineligible for the number. It is a little complicated, but we will discuss this in detail at the workshop.
WHEN DO YOU NOT NEED TO APPLY FOR A SSN?

You are NOT eligible for the SSN if you do not have income 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 him/her that you are an international student and do not have a Social Security Card. There will be another system to identify you.


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

If you will drive in the US, you will need a 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. 


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

Immunization Reminder

Be sure to complete all immunization requirements!  Go to the bottom of the link below to review immunization information.  There are consequences to not completing the requirements in a timely manner, so please take care of this immediately!  More information was provided in a previous Tip of the Week.

http://health.umd.edu/clinicalservices/allergimmuntravel/immunizations


Airport Shuttle

Are you flying into Dulles Airport and need a ride to campus? See the following link, and remember that you MUST register for this service.

https://globalmaryland.umd.edu/offices/international-student-scholar-services/2018-student-shuttle-service-dulles-airportiad-umd




If you do not intend to enroll at UMD and would like to stop receiving these emails, please inform the admissions office (undergraduate students) or the Graduate School and your academic department (graduate students).
Sincerely,
 

International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)