Coming to America: Part 1. Visa stuff

Part I: The Visa
Part II: Arriving in the USA
Part III: Tax stuff
Part IV: Driving in the US
Part V: In for the long haul


I figured it might be useful to someone considering a postdoctoral postion in the US if I was to share some of the wisdom that I've procured during my own experiences as a limey science geek in America. There's a lot of information to be found here too, some of which I will cover.

So here's what I think the travelling postdoc should know about coming to America (in several, not necessarily easily digestible, parts).


Part the First
Visas - Once you have the letter confirming your employment from your destination institution, you can start the visa application process. Usually, most initial postdocs don’t run for more than 3 yrs, so you will most likely be applying for a J1 visa. The information packet available from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) contains all the info you need to get that going. You must then call the US embassy, London*, and arrange an interview. DO NOT book your flight before first organising and attending your interview.

Make sure you get in contact with the departmental administrator responsible for international students as well as the institution's main international center. They will be able to advise you on all the necessary steps, and keep you informed about changes to the requirements (which happen often, but are not very well publicised on the USCIS website).


*Take a good book (e.g. War and Peace) and a packed lunch. It could be a long day.