Penn State has a diverse academic environment with students and faculty from every part of the world. The postdoctoral fellows and scholars at Penn State represent an important research component of the University. We welcome you to Penn State and wish you a productive and successful time.
- Postdoctoral fellows from other countries who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States must have the appropriate visa type to work. International Scholars and Faculty Visa Services (ISFVS) will work with you and your department to bring you on the visa that is deemed most appropriate for your time at Penn State. ISFVS also processes any necessary extensions or changes in your visa status. Currently Penn State will sponsor post-docs on both the J-1 and H-1 B visas.
When you arrive at Penn State University
Please make sure that you make your appointment to meet with your immigration consultant in ISFVS –located in room 404 of James M. Elliott Building, 120 South Burrowes Street to check in and complete an Employee Eligibility Verification Form, commonly known as the I-9 form. Please take the following documents with you:
- Your passport;
- Your I-94 card (depending on your visa);
- Your visa document (DS2019 or I-797)
This check in will take approximately 20-30 minutes. During this time your consultant will review important information about your visa status, as well as answer any immediate questions that you might have. The I-9 form will also be completed. It is necessary for you to give your completed I-9, and a copy of your social security card (if you have it) to your departmental contact.
If you will be receiving a pay check through Penn State, you cannot work or be paid until you have completed the paperwork at ISFVS and have applied for a social security number.
To apply for Social Security number, you must wait until you have been in the U.S. for at least ten days. After the tenth day visit the Social Security Administration Office, located at 901 University Drive, Suite 2. Please take the following documents with you:
- Your passport
- Your I-94 card
- Your form DS2019 or I-797 Approval Notice
- The visa foil in your passport
If there are no problems or delays, you should receive your Social Security number and card within 4-6 weeks. Upon receipt of the card, please give a copy to your dept., as well as payroll.
Changing your Address with ISFVS and USCIS
If you move while in the U.S. you will need to file an address change with ISFVS, as well as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. (USCIS) If you are in J-1 status, all address changes require an action through the SEVIS system. Please contact your immigration consultant via e-mail with the new information. If you are in H-1B or J-1 status you will also need to notify USCIS of your address change. This can be done electronically by locating the form AR11 on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov under the forms and fees section.
Insurance
You will find in the U.S. that our health care system is fairly complicated, privately insured, and can be very expensive. It is therefore, strongly recommended that all postdocs carry insurance. If you are on a J-1 visa it is a requirement that you must have both health insurance, medical evacuation and repatriation insurance.
Postdoctoral scholars holding J-1 visas and their dependents qualify for student rates on medical evacuation and repatriation insurance. To apply, take your visa and passport to the Student Insurance Office, 320 Grange Building; phone 865-7467. This insurance must be renewed each year. It will be necessary to demonstrate proof of insurance when requesting extensions of your J-1 visa.
If you are appointed through Penn State, you should qualify for participation in the University medical insurance plan. In order to obtain these benefits you will need to fill out the appropriate forms and return them to your departmental administrative assistant within thirty days of your appointment start date.
International Resources
As a University and State College community member, you will note that there are a number of resources available to you.
Global Connections at Penn State can provide you and your spouse or partner with conversation partners. The Council also organizes a Friendship program and a Speakers Program, and provides basic English classes and tax assistance. Please contact them to find out more about the tax assistance program.
New Scholar Orientation: ISFVS offers a 4 hour orientation for all new international scholars regardless of their appointment type. This orientation is offered once a semester and will be advertised on their website.
IFSVS provides information on the paperwork required when International postdoctoral fellows have to travel outside USA. Please contact their office for further information or forms and also inform your departmental contact whenever you travel outside of the United States.
International Student Services provides many and varied opportunities for international employees and students to travel, volunteer, and participate in University events.
The University Payroll Office has information on the types of documents required by International postdoctoral fellows for tax purposes at http://www.controller.psu.edu/Divisions/PayrollOffice/international.html
As Post-doctoral appointments are temporary in nature, Penn Sate will not sponsor individuals in those positions for employment based on permanent residency.
