Onboarding for Foreign Nationals

If you are a student, you are likely here on an F-1 Visa. If you are a post-doc or visiting scholar, you probably don't have a student visa. It is likely you have a J-1 visa.

For all visa holders: 

Bank account and credit card: foreign nationals should sign up for a US-based bank account for direct deposit of their paychecks. You may wish to apply for a credit card since there are many vendors who only take credit card payment. However, please make sure that you read the fine print and understand the pros, cons and interest rates.

Information that probably is useful for those on NOT on a student visa:

Apply for social security number: If you do not have a social security number, prioritize applying one. It is necessary to receive salary, open a bank account, apply for a loan, for instance.

See the link for where to go and the required documents to bring with you. Be prepared to wait for several hours. Once your application is in, be prepared that it will take up to two weeks to receive the SSN. Note that you cannot receive a paycheck until you have that SSN so make certain you have financial arrangements in order for this time period.   

International Scholars Office has information on various topics such as important documents, tax information, and travel. 

They also hold a mandatory check-in for J-1 foreign nationals upon immediate arrival in the US.