Can international students in the US verify PayPal without a SSN?

International students in the US can verify PayPal without an SSN, as long as they provide the other documents PayPal asks for. If an SSN is available, PayPal will use it, but it is not the only way to complete verification.

What PayPal Accepts When You Don’t Have an SSN

PayPal usually asks for SSN because US citizens and permanent residents have one. International students typically do not. In that case, PayPal switches to asking for identity documents such as:

• Your passport: Main identification document for most international students.
• Your US visa page: Proves your legal entry category.
• Your I‑20 or DS‑2019: The school-issued document showing you are an active student.
• Your US address: The address where you currently live. It must match what you enter on PayPal.
• Your US phone number: Needed because PayPal uses text codes for security.
• Your US bank account or debit card: To complete “account confirmation.” Any bank used by students works (Chase, BoA, Wells Fargo, credit unions).

For most students, verification completes after uploading the documents and confirming the bank account. No SSN needed.

If You Already Have an SSN

Some international students get an SSN after starting an on‑campus job. If an SSN is available, PayPal may require it because US law treats you like any other taxpayer once you have one. Entering the SSN usually makes verification faster.

Important Notes

• Do not use a VPN: PayPal sometimes freezes accounts when the login location looks suspicious.
• Use your actual US address: Dorms, apartments, and temporary housing are fine. Just stay consistent.
• Upload clear photos: Blurry passport images are a common cause of long delays.
• Bank account must match your name: If your bank account has a middle name or a hyphen, match it exactly.

What Happens After Verification

Once PayPal accepts your documents and you confirm your bank, the account becomes fully usable for sending and receiving money. Limits usually lift automatically. If PayPal still asks for SSN after you uploaded everything, contact their support and explain that you are an international student without one. They manually review and switch the requirement when appropriate.