SISS Homepage for International Scholars
 

If you are applying for a visa to enter the United States you will probably need to go to a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country.  For locations and specific instructions the U.S. State Department maintains a website listing all U.S. Consulates and Embassies around the world.

In most cases you will also be working closely with a staff member in your home department who regularly works with SISS on visa issues.  This person will be an important resource for you since most visa petitions must be initiated by the department.

• J-1 Exchange Visitor

• • US Department of State J Exchange Visitor Program
  • US Department of State Welcome Brochure
  • Exchange Visitor (J) Visas
  • Health insurance
  • Housing information
  • Arrival check-list

  • J-1 Scholar Departure Checklist

  • J Visa Waivers (2 year residence requirement waiver)

  • J-2 employment

  • 2-year home country residence requirement

  • Information for scholars from Iran

  • SEVIS Fee
  • Required orientation
     
• H-1B Professional Worker

• E-3 Professional Worker for Australians

• O-1 Extraordinary Ability
   

• TN Professional Worker for Canadians and Mexicans
   

• B-1 Visitor for Business and B-2 Visitor for Pleasure are two visa classifications that can be used by foreign scholars or their families making a short visit to UCD.  B-1 and B-2 visitors are not eligible for employment in the United States.   Scholars should also consult the web site for the U.S. Consulate and Embassy in their area.
   

• PR (Permanent Resident)
   

  • Immigration through Employment

  • Form I-485 Application To Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status

  • Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization or Form I-765 E-file Application for Employment Authorization

  • Form I-131 Application for Travel Document

  • Information regarding medical examinations

  • Information for new permanent residents
     

• Visas and Employment at UC Davis
   

• Becoming a U.S. citizen.  The process of becoming a U.S. citizen is not handled by SISS.  The USCIS web site contains the necessary information and forms for this process.  Additional information should be sought from a qualified attorney. 
   

The USCIS California Service Center  processes most of the immigration applications and petitions for UC Davis scholars.  All applications and petitions are processed in the order in which they are received.  The following USCIS web site tells which cases the Service Centers are processing as of the date indicated. 

California Service Center processing times.  To view the processing date chart click here for the USCIS web page. 

Check the status of a case.  From the same USCIS page, you can also check the status of a case.  You will need the application receipt number (WAC-xx-xxx-xxxxx). 

Consular Post Processing Times

The Department of State is now providing consular post processing times on-line to assist visa applicants plan for visa processing delays abroad.

The Department of State website provides visa applicants with an average wait time to obtain a visa interview (which is now required for all H, O, J, F applicants) and the average wait time for a nonimmigrant visa to be processed at individual consular posts.

These are estimates only and government processing times are always subject to change.  Planning ahead and applying as early as possible is always recommended.

In addition to checking processing times, all visa applicants should thoroughly review the visa instructions and procedures at the specific post where he or she will be applying.

***AS ALWAYS, WE RECOMMEND THAT SCHOLARS CONTACT SISS PRIOR TO ANY INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL.***

Travel Outside the United States

 

Please contact SISS when making travel plans outside of the United States, especially if this travel coincides with changing or extending your immigration status.

• Traveling outside the United States

• Travel to Canada

• Travel to Cuba

• Travel Delays:  Scholars traveling outside of the U.S. should be aware of possible delays in reentering the United States.  National security concerns have occasionally led to long delays in returning to the U.S. for some scholars doing research in sensitive areas.  See Technology Alert List with instructions for U.S. embassies and consulates

• U.S. Department of State travel warnings
• Travelers' Health

Change of Address

SISS is to be notified of any change of address or telephone number.   Please email Daniel Padron at dapadron@ucdavis.edu. 

Practical Information

 

• Applying for a Social Security Card

• B-2 letter template for scholars

• Banking

• Bicycles

• Cars--How to buy a new or used car

• English Language Instruction

• Places to Eat in Davis

• Housing Information

• Income tax seminars

• International House

• Connecting to Licensed Library Resources from Off Campus

• Distance Learning

• Laboratory Management Institute (LMI)

• Library privileges for visiting scholars

• Living in Davis

• Motels in Davis

• Obtaining a California Driver's License or Identification Card

• Public Schools & Private Schools: Pre-schools, Kindergarten to 12

• Postdoctoral Scholars Association

• Post Office and Mail Service

• Recreational/Sports facilities on campus

• Residence for tuition information

• Telephone Service

• Transportation Off-Campus

• Transportation from Airport to Davis

• Visa Application Forms

• Women's Resources & Research Center