Post Arrival

 

►Housing

The housing that will be arranged for you may be considered temporary.  After you become more familiar with your host company and local area, you may choose to find other housing by yourself.  Check out www.craigslist.org and local newspapers.

►Social Security Number (SSN)

While in the United States you will need government identification called a Social Security Number (SSN).  StaffTree will assist you to obtain your SSN within two weeks after your arrival.  There is no cost.  You may find the nearest office of the Social Security Administration by visiting  www.socialsecurity.gov or calling 1-800-772-1213.

When you visit the government office for your SSN, please bring:

Your passport with the attached form I-94

Your form DS-2019

Your Trainee Acceptance Letter

Any written reminder of the address of your new residence.

►Public Transportation and Local Area Travel

All major cities in the United States offer inexpensive public transportation.  Monthly passes for the entire system are very inexpensive. 

►Driver’s License

If you want to drive an automobile then you will need a Driver’s License.  Keep in mind that there is a written test and a driving test.  In California, the nearest licensing office can be found at  http://www.dmv.ca.gov/.  Before you can drive you will need separate driving insurance.

►If you want to travel outside of the United States

For personal reasons, you may want to travel outside of the continental United States.  Ensure that your Visa will not expire during your travel.  Please notify StaffTree at least one month in advance because more paperwork will be necessary.  You will need to write a letter providing detailed information on the dates of departure and arrival, then send the letter with your original form DS-2019 to StaffTree for endorsement.  Include a return envelope with prepaid postage for express mail and addressed to you at the address of your host company.

►Emergencies and changes

If anything unexpected occurs either at your host company or with your family in your home country then please call StaffTree.  Our telephone is 213-632-0888.  Please enter that number in your cellular telephone as an emergency contact.

►Updating your contact information

Please let StaffTree know immediately if you change your housing address, or your telephone number, or your email address.

►Confidentiality

Please keep your documents confidential and safe.  Your passport, your visa, your form DS-2019, your training plan, your SSN, and your driver’s license contain sensitive information that you should not share unwisely with anyone other than StaffTree, any government official, and your supervisor at your host company.

►You are a J-1 trainee, not an employee

Please remember that you are not a regular employee at your host company.  You are a J-1 Intern or Trainee.  You will receive a monthly stipend for training 40 hours per week, as indicated in both your Acceptance Letter and your Training Plan. Do not expect any bonuses, raises, or vacations.  You may not have a separate part-time job.

►Your First Week

Please be very polite to everyone at your host company and complete all of the paperwork that you are given.  On Wednesday or Thursday of your first week, please telephone GCD Center from your host company together with your supervisor.  Please have your U.S. home address and your cellular telephone number ready when you call.  Your good visa status depends upon your timely call.  If you do not call than your visa status may be lost, which will cost more money.

►Evaluations

Five months after your arrival you will receive a blank evaluation form from the GCD Center.  Please take your duty seriously and complete the form so you can continue your training.  Return the completed form by fax to 310-943-7979 so we can ensure the form follows government regulations.  Eleven months from now you will receive another blank evaluation form which you should handle the same way.

►Taxes

Everyone who earns money must pay taxes.  StaffTree is not responsible for knowing all about taxes.  Please visit the government website  www.irs.gov/.  You may want to obtain IRS Publication 519, “U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens.”

Your host company will withhold some of your stipend to pay your taxes.  In January your host company will provide an important paper record to you of the taxes that have been withheld for you.  No later than April 15 you will use that record to mail tax forms to the government.

As a J-1 visa holder, you must complete either tax form 1040NR, “U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return,” or tax form 1040NR-EZ, “U.S. Income Tax Return for Certain Nonresident Aliens with No Dependents.”  Please visit  www.irs.gov/formspubs/lists/.  The tax year runs from January 01 to December 31 so during your stay you probably must complete a tax form twice.