Prospective Foreign National Employees

Congratulations on your appointment! We look forward to your arrival at The Wistar Institute. Preparing to work or train abroad is a challenging adventure and it can be overwhelming at times. That is why we have prepared the following information for you. We have tried to include information we think will be helpful to all international exchange visitors (J-1) and temporary professionals (H-1B1) prior to arrival.

In addition to the information provided here, the Immigration Representative will be happy to answer questions about traveling, housing, health insurance, banking, climate and living in Philadelphia. We are here to help make the transition to life in the U.S. easier so that you can have a successful experience at The Wistar Institute.

We look forward to getting to know you!

• Pre-Arrival Information

• Travel from Philadelphia International Airport
• Local Public Transportation
• Traveling in the United States
• Personal Safety While Traveling in the United States
• Temporary Housing
• Permanent Housing
• Mailing and Shipping
• Schools for Children
• Day Care Services

• Money

• Money Exchange
• United States Banking Services
• United States Tax Obligations
• Cost of Living in Philadelphia

• Customs and Culture
• Climate

• Visa and Immigration Documents

• Entry into the U.S.

• Nonimmigrant Status

• J-1 Research Scholar
• H-1B1 Temporary Professional

• Activities and Programs
• Important Websites
• Foreign National Orientation
• Contacts

•Pre-Arrival Information

Local Public Transportation
Philadelphia has several means of public transportation to take you in and around the city and to other U.S. cities. Provided are the names of the transportation agencies and their websites:

SEPTA: Philadelphia's local bus, trolley and subway: www.septa.org
Greyhound: Bus, long-distance travel: www.greyhound.com
Amtrak: Train, long-distance travel: www.amtrak.com
Philadelphia International Airport: www.phl.org

Traveling In the United States
Helpful Advice:
If you have any problem while traveling in the U.S., ask people of authority for advice. In the airports and bus stations of large cities, the Traveler's Aid Society can provide some assistance.

Personal Safety While Traveling in the United States
When you arrive in any U.S. city, you must take precautions so that you will not become the victim of crime. Common crimes, such as robbery or assault, are unfortunate aspects of today's society. While certain situations cannot be prevented, no matter what precautions are taken, there are a few things you can do to decrease your chances of becoming a victim of crime:

• Do not display or carry large amounts of money or jewelry in a careless way. If you carry a handbag, keep it secured under your arm or draped across your body. A wallet should be kept in the front pocket of your pants. Use traveler’s checks, money orders or credit cards for large purchases.
• Avoid walking alone at night. If you must walk anywhere alone, stay on well lit streets with frequent traffic, walk close to the street curb and avoid short-cuts. When possible take a taxi to and from your destination.
• If you are approached by someone demanding you for your money, do not resist. It is better to turn over your money than to risk personal injury. Call the police as soon as possible.
• Be careful when accepting help from strangers; they may not be trustworthy. Ask a police officer or other person in authority for information.
• Beware of "con artists" - these are individuals who offer you money or the opportunity to make money in exchange for some small service or assistance from you. Never, under any circumstance, give money to such a person. You will end up losing your money. If you have trouble, notify the police immediately.

Temporary Housing
You may need to make arrangements for temporary housing in one of several places located around the Institute that can accommodate you for a few days, weeks or months. Listed are some of the places that can provide temporary housing. Please call the telephone numbers provided for current rates, availability, and deposit information.

Permanent Housing
There are a variety of factors to be considered when making this choice: proximity to campus, costs, security, personal and family lifestyles, and transportation. Philadelphia is comprised of five major sections: West Philadelphia, South Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, Center City, and Northeast Philadelphia. The section of the city in which the Institute is located is West Philadelphia-specifically, the community of University City. Find out more about permanent housing by contacting:

University of Pennsylvania’s Office of Off-Campus Living: www.upenn.edu/offcampusliving

Mailing and Shipping
When you move to your permanent address, notify the post office immediately so your mail can be delivered directly to you. The Human Resources Department should also be notified of address changes. You will also be required to notify the US Citizenship and Immigration Services of any change of address within ten (10) days of the change.

Personal and household effects should be mailed whenever possible, rather than shipped. Benefits to be gained in mailing are ease of clearing through customs (often without even appearing in person at the post office), and saving on shipping charges. Used personal and household effects may be subject to duty. If you do ship anything by sea or air freight, try to have your things shipped all the way to the port of Philadelphia, as shipping to other ports will necessitate additional brokerage and forwarding charges.

United States Post Office: www.usps.com

Schools for Children
There are two types of schools in the Philadelphia area: public and private. Public schools are free. Children usually are assigned to the school that serves the neighborhood where they live. Some parents choose to live in a certain neighborhood because of the reputation of its public school.

The three levels of education for children in the U.S. are:
1st - 6th grade (ages 6-12)
7th - 8th grade (ages 13-14)
9th - 12th grade (ages 15-18)

Philadelphia School District: www.philsch.k12.pa.us

Some of the private schools in Philadelphia are sectarian. Two systems predominate:

The Catholic school system is the largest and has dozens of schools at every educational level.

The Society of Friends (Quakers) has a number of schools, again at all levels.

Private Schools: www.privateschool.about.com

Day Care Services
In the United States, it is common for both parents in a family to work outside the home and enroll their preschool children in day care centers, or arrange for a baby-sitter to look after them at home. There are several day care centers in the University area that look after preschool-aged children during the day. If you are looking for a good child care center, make sure that it is licensed by the state, has a low staff/child ratio, and provides an environment that encourages learning and personal development.

Child Care Information Services of Philadelphia: www.philadelphiachildcare.org

Penn Children's Center: www.business-services.upenn.edu/childcare

• Money

Money Exchange
The basic unit of currency in the United States is the dollar, and is represented by the "$" symbol. Paper money is green and is referred to as a bill, or bills. The following are common denominations: $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.

The penny is the only copper-colored United States coin and is the smallest in value worth $0.01. The nickel is silver in color and is worth $0.05. A dime is the smallest United States coin, is silver in color, and is worth $0.10. A quarter is silver in color and is worth $0.25. The half-dollar and the silver dollar are two additional United States coins; however, they are not commonly used.

Currency Converter: www.oanda.com/converter/classic

United States Banking Services
To transfer money to the U.S., you can instruct your home bank to issue a foreign draft on a U.S. bank in Philadelphia. This is preferable to presenting a draft on a New York City bank. Clearance on a draft between banks in different parts of the U.S. can result in a delay of up to three weeks in making funds available. Since there are expenses which must be met immediately upon arrival, you may want to avoid unnecessary delays. A few U.S. banks have branches in foreign countries. These could be used if the U.S. bank is located within the vicinity of Philadelphia. If not, all large U.S. banks have what are called "correspondent" foreign banks with which they have established financial connections. In most countries you can find a local bank that has correspondent relations with a U.S. bank in the Philadelphia area. A transfer of money from one correspondent bank to another requires obtaining a draft from the home bank and presenting it, with personal identification, to the U.S. bank. The U.S. bank will then give credit in U.S. dollars. You may also request that your bank at home "wire" money to you once you have opened an account at a Philadelphia bank. Below is a list of Philadelphia banks that are close to Wistar:

TD Bank 119 South 38th Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA 215-387-1000		Citizens Bank 134 South 34th Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA 215-387-1900
PNC Bank 3535 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA 215-387-5120		Sovereign Bank 3131 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 USA 215-382-8005

United States Tax Obligations
Tax regulations for international visitors are quite complex and can be confusing. Generally, any person earning money in the U.S. must pay some taxes. The taxes are usually taken out of the person's salary and include U.S. federal income tax, social security tax (FICA), Pennsylvania state income tax and Philadelphia city wage tax. J-1 visa holders are not required to pay social security taxes for the first two years in which they are in the U.S.; also some J-1 and H-1B visa holders may benefit from a treaty between their government and the U.S. government which will reduce their federal income taxes. H-1B visa holders do pay social security and most other taxes. You will be required to submit an income tax statement to the Internal Revenue Service each year by the deadline of April 15th.

Cost of Living in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, like most major metropolitan areas, has a cost of living that is high compared to other parts of the United States. Here are some other costs that are often overlooked:

• Overnight lodging upon arrival. Hotel charges are anywhere from $90-$150 a night.
• Tips on taxi fares and restaurant meals. Add 15% gratuity to the bill.
• Personal and household items. Even if you rent a furnished apartment, you will have to provide linens, towels, kitchen utensils, and other basic items.
• Security deposit when renting an apartment. You may have to pay three month’s rent before moving into the apartment.
• State and local sales taxes are added to the price of many items or services. Philadelphia sales tax is 7%.

• Customs and Culture

Customs and culture in the United States may be very different from those to which you are accustomed. Prepare yourself for these differences by securing information at the nearest United States Embassy (www.state.gov) or better still, by talking with persons in your home country who have visited the United States before.

• Climate

You should come prepared for changes in the weather: very cold winters, hot summers, and pleasant days in between. Winter temperatures can easily drop to 10°F (-12°C). Summers in Philadelphia can be very humid, with temperatures reaching 100°F (37°C) or higher.

*Winter clothing: If you do not have warm winter clothing, including a heavy coat and boots, you may need to spend between $300-$500 for such items in the US .

• Visa and Immigration Documents

Passport:
Immigration regulations state that you are responsible for keeping your passport valid at all times during your stay here. Your passport can be revalidated or renewed through your embassy or consulate.

Visa:
The visa is an affixed endorsement made in the passport by an American consular or embassy official outside of the United States (in most cases). It indicates that all requirements have been met for entry into the U.S. The visa type and number of entries allowed within a specified period is indicated on the visa and can vary from country to country. Having a valid visa is essential for entering and re-entering the United States (with the exception of brief trips to Mexico and Canada); it does not determine the length of time you may remain in this country.

I-94 Departure Record:
This white card is usually stapled to the visa page in your passport by an immigration inspector when you enter the U.S. It records the length of your authorized stay in the U.S. The I-94, not the visa stamp, is the record of your permission to remain in the US . There may be an expiration date written in the upper right-hand corner of the I-94 card. For J-1 and F-1 visa holders, the I-94 card is usually marked "D/S". This abbreviation stands for "Duration of Status". The D/S is defined by law as the period during which you are working toward training or educational objective.

DS-2019:
This form applies to J-1 visa holders and their dependents and is used when applying for your J-1 and J-2 entry visa. At the time of entry to the U.S. , Form DS-2019 is stamped by an immigration officer and returned to you. It indicates the length of your authorized stay in the U.S. and should be kept with your passport and I-94 card.

I-797: (H-1B1 petition approval notice)
This form applies to H-1 visa holders and their dependents and is used when applying for your H-1B1 and H-4 entry visa.Keep this form with your passport and I-94 card.

Entry into the U.S.
When you arrive at the border of the United States ("port of entry"), the U.S. Immigration Inspector examines your passport, visa and Certificate of Eligibility Form DS-2019 (if you have a J-1 visa) or Form I-797 (if you have an H-1B visa). Do not pack your important documents in the bags you have checked onto the plane, always hand carry them with you. For more information on what to expect when arriving at a U.S. port of entry, visit: http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/factsheet/100104ent_exchng_fs.htm

Note: Canadian nationals and landed immigrants are not required to obtain a U.S. visa stamp to enter the United States [8 CFR 212.1(a)]. In the case of a Canadian H-1B applicant, he or she is required to submit the approved I-797 form at the port of entry to the U.S.


• Nonimmigrant Status

• J-1 Research Scholar
Overview
The US Department of State (DOS) administers the overall Exchange Visitor Program. The program provides foreign nationals with opportunities to participate in exchange programs in the United States so they may return home to share their experiences. The Wistar Institute has been designated as an Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor. As an exchange visitor in Wistar's Program, we offer you the opportunity to work with and learn from some of the world's foremost scientists. In addition, we support activities that will expose you to American society and culture, and encourage you to share the language, culture and history of your home country.

As an exchange visitor, you are required to engage in the category and subject or field of activity listed on your Form DS-2019. Compensation for such activities may be accepted only when permitted by the regulations. Exchange visitors must also comply with the specific program provisions of the regulations that govern their particular category.

Maintaining J-1 Status
Exchange visitors are required to have a valid passport and I-94 card, and an unexpired Form DS-2019.

Research scholars who hold J-1 status are also required to have medical insurance coverage for themselves and their dependents throughout their stay in the U.S. The Department of State (DOS) has mandated that any insurance plan purchased by a J-1 visa holder meet the following criteria:

• medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness
• repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500
• medical evacuation to the home country in the amount of $10,000
• a deductible (the amount for which you are responsible before insurance coverage becomes effective) not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
• co-payment of medical expenses (the portion not covered by insurance) of no more than 25% is paid by the insured

Most J-1 exchange visitors will enroll themselves and their families in one of the health insurance plans offered by Wistar. You will be required to contribute a small percentage of the overall cost based on income earned. Your contribution or cost is called a "premium," and will be made through deductions from your paycheck.

Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement (212 (e))
A two-year foreign residence requirement is imposed on some categories of exchange visitors once their U.S. stay is completed. Any J-1 exchange visitor subject to the foreign residence requirement is ineligible for U.S. permanent residence or nonimmigrant visas in the H category until he/she spends two years (after completion of stay) in his/her home country or country of last residence. The foreign residence requirement applies to three (3) categories of exchange visitors:

• Exchange visitors who possess skills that have been determined to be in short supply in their own countries
• Exchange visitors whose training program is financed in whole or in part by either an agency of the U.S. government or by the government of the alien’s home country
• Exchange visitors who come to the U.S. to receive graduate medical education or training
  

212 (e) Waivers
For information on applying for a waiver visit: www.state.gov

Employment for Dependents
An individual in J-2 status may apply to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (US CIS) for permission to accept employment in the U.S. Permission will be granted only if the employment is designed to provide extra income for activities such as sightseeing and travel and should not be used to support the J-1 exchange visitor.

• H-B1 Temporary Professional
Overview
An H-1B1 temporary worker is defined as a person who will perform services in a “specialty occupation.” The H-1B1 classification is available for those occupations that require “theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge, and attainment of a bachelor's or higher degree in the specific specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum entry into the occupation in the United States.” The H-1B1 classification is appropriate for faculty members and research scholars at the professional level.

The employer must meet requirements set both by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (US CIS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) in order to file for H-1B1 status for a prospective employee. It usually takes four to six months to obtain approval of an H-1B1 petition, although the US CIS now offers premium processing for an additional fee of $1,000. This guarantees US CIS action within 15 days of receipt of the H-1B1 petition. Individuals who do not already have alternate employment authorization cannot be employed until final notice is received from the US CIS approving Wistar’s H-1B1 petition. An approved H-1B1 notice for employment at The Wistar Institute allows you to be employed only by Wistar in the job described in the H-1B1 petition.

Maintaining H-1B1 Status
H-1B1 temporary workers are required to have a valid passport and I-94 card, and an unexpired Form I-797 indicating petition approval.

Portability of H-1B1 status
The H-1B1 status is time, job, and employer-specific. If you have valid H-1B1 status with another employer, you must still get the necessary authorization to begin employment at Wistar. In this case, however, once the Immigration Representative submits the H-1B1 petition and it is received by the US CIS, you can begin working at Wistar under portability provisions in the H-1B1 regulations.

Employment for Dependents
H-4 status does not provide for employment authorization for dependents, although H-4 dependents may attend school while in this status. H-4 students who must work as part of their curriculum or program must change their status to an F-1 (student) visa.

• Activities and Programs

There are hundreds of attractions and entertainment places in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. Among Philadelphia’s cultural and historical hallmarks are the nation’s third largest museum, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, the world renowned Philadelphia Orchestra, and the birthplace of liberty, Independence National Historic Park. There are several public libraries throughout the city of Philadelphia. More information on cultural events and programs are available at:

International House: www.ihousephilly.org
University City Website, Things to Do: www.universitycitydistrict.org
Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Group: www.gophila.com
Penn Presents: www.pennpresents.org
Philadelphia Weekly Paper :www.phillyweekly.com
Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians:www.welcomingcenter.org

• Important Websites

Agencies
US Department of State Travel advisories, visa and country information: www.state.gov
US Citizenship and Immigration Services(US CIS): www.uscis.gov
Social Security: www.socialsecurity.gov
Internal Revenue Service – IRS: www.irs.gov

• Foreign National Orientation

A formal one-on-one orientation takes place once you arrive at Wistar. Our program covers employee benefits, Wistar policies, and applicable immigration and international visitors and temporary professionals related matters and requirements.

• Contacts

Immigration Representative and Responsible Officer:
Bernadette Foster
The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street , Philadelphia , PA 19104
Phone: (215) 898-3744 Fax: (215) 898-2204
bfoster@wistar.org