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When can international students make arrangements for travel to the U.S. and Fox Chase Cancer Center?
Fox Chase Cancer Center recommends that international students make their travel arrangements after they have received their visa application materials/entry documents and after approval of the visa application by a U.S. Consular official.
What happens after the entry documents and pre-arrival materials are received?
First, Fox Chase Cancer Center will complete the trainee's documents (DS2019, information sheet, and proof of Sevis fee). These will be scanned and emailed to the trainee for review to ensure there are no misspellings or other mistakes on the documents. If everything is correct and accurate, Fox Chase will courier the original documents via FedEx to the trainee. Once received by the trainee, these documents may be used to apply for a visa at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
How do international trainees apply for visas?
Since visa application procedures change often and differ between consular offices, each trainee should find information specific to their Embassy or Consulate at http://www.usembassy.gov.
Generally, however, international trainees will be expected to present the following to the consular officer:
International trainees should also be prepared for the consular official to review their English proficiency.
What are the health insurance requirements?
Under a rule effective September 1, 1994, international trainees in the United States must carry health insurance for themselves and their dependents for the full duration of their J program. Government regulations stipulate that if, after that date, a trainee willfully fails to carry health insurance for themselves and their dependents, the trainee's sponsor must terminate the trainee's program, and report the termination to the United States Department of State (DOS). Fox Chase Cancer Center provides health insurance to Postdocs and Graduate Students. If you are not covered by a Fox Chase Cancer Center plan, you must have the following coverage:
The following requirements have been established for the type and amounts of coverage you must carry if you hold J-1 or J-2 status:
The policy must be backed by the full faith and credit of your home country government, or the company providing the insurance must meet minimum rating requirements established by DOS (an A. M. Best rating of "A-" or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-i" or above, a Standard & Poor's Claims-paying Ability rating of "A-" or above, or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above).
What to expect at the Customs and Border port of entry.
To gain admission into the United States, international trainees must go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with their valid immigration documents.
For information on what to expect, please visit the following Department of Homeland Security pages:
International trainees will meet with a representative of the Fox Chase Human Resources department to get additional guidance on obtaining a social security card, identification card, and driver’s license, changing their address, traveling while on a visa, and payroll and benefits information.
International Postdoctoral Survival Guide - National Postdoctoral Association
Coming to America: Doing a Postdoc in the US - Sciencemag.org
Mind Matters: Culture Shock - Sciencemag.org
Postdoctoral fellowships in the US: top tips for international trainees - blog.nature.com
The Stages of Cross Culture Adjustment - from the University of Georgia