Thank you all so much! I figured it was normal but wanted to check just to be sure :)

Hello All,
I'm applying to a school in the middle east and weary of sharing my passport and social security information as often as it has been requested. This is my first international move and I am more or less ignorant as to what is normal and what isn't and wondering if a few of you more seasoned ex-pats are able to offer insight. I have no problem with this proccess if it is normal but want to be sure I'm not sharing this information blindly. Thank you for any and all replies!