Foreign students (Class of Admission (COA) F and COA M) and exchange visitors (COA J) must report to their school or sponsor within a certain period after admission to the United States (U.S.).

The school or sponsor then has an additional period during which they must update (e.g., activate) the student’s or visitor’s status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

When a foreign student or exchange visitor applies for a Social Security Number (SSN) and the SAVE initial verification (IV) response is "Refer Student/Exchange Visitor to their School/Program Sponsor" either:

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  The student or visitor has not reported to their school or sponsor, or

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  The school has not updated SEVIS.

If you receive the IV response “Refer Student/Exchange Visitor to their School/Program Sponsor” for an SSN application,

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  provide the applicant a written notice (SSA-L676, Refusal to Process SSN Application);

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  explain why you cannot process the application and delete the SSN application.

On the notice include the following:

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  Under “We cannot give you a Social Security card at this time because” select “We are unable to verify your ‘Active’ status in SEVIS. Please contact your school or program sponsor to update your current status.”

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  "Please contact us when," check the remark, "Your alien status changes, or is renewed, so you can work in the U.S."

Inform the applicant of the following:

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  Inform the applicant that they must wait 48 hours from the date they receive verbal or written indication that SEVIS has been updated before filing a Social Security Number application.

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  Refer the applicant to Steps for Obtaining a Social Security Number.

  For additional DHS links which contain information for students pursuing employment in the United States, see RM 10211.305.

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  RM 10214.110 Requesting Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Initial Verification (IV) of Immigration Documents

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  RM 10215.115 Procedures for Providing Written Notice to an SSN Applicant

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  RM 10211.235 Evidence of Immigration Status for the F1 and M1 Classes of Admission for an SSN Card

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  RM 10211.340 General Evidence of Immigration Status and Employment Authorization for the J1 (Exchange Visitor) or J2 (Dependent of J1) classes of admission.