Additional Information for International Postdocs
General Information
For International Postdocs, you will need to contact the UC Davis Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS) upon arrival. You may be required to attend an orientation for international scholars. The Davis International House also has programs that can assist international students and scholars.
International Visas
There are two basic types of visas that foreigners will need, the J-1 or the H-1B. The J-1 visa is an exchange/visitor visa and expires in three years. It can be extended for an additional 6 months. The H-1B visa is a work permit visa. It expires in 6 years, requires that your supervisor signs on as a mentor, and can only be given to people from countries that do not have a home residency or a home state program or requirement that limits your stay in the U.S. and requires that you return within a stated period of time for whatever purpose. There is a limited number of H1-B visas given each year, so apply early.
To get an international visa you will need your U.S. bank statement, an IAP-66 form, and specific immigration information from your home country. You should also check with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for specific information. Also check the Services for International Students and Scholars page at UC Davis. Anything published at that site should be considered correct if it conflicts with what is at our site. More advice may be available through the Davis International House.
On obtaining a Social Security Number and/or California Driver's License
According to the UC Berkeley postdoc listserv, all J-1 scholars and F-1 students are eligible for a social security number with no extra documentation. J-1 students must also carry proof of employment authorization received from the SISS Office or other program sponsor (if applicable). Students may come to drop-in appointments or a regularly scheduled appointment to receive the written authorization from the SISS Adviser. All applicants should take the passport, I-94 and visa document to the nearest Social Security Office and fill out an application. Social security cards are usually mailed out within 10 working days. Applicants should request a receipt when applying in order to show their department to begin personnel paperwork when applicable.
J-2 dependents are not eligible for a social security number unless they have received work permission from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Instructions and forms to apply for J-2 work permission are available at the SISS Office. If a J-2 without INS work permission wishes to apply for a Driver's License or a California ID card, the Social Security Office will provide the applicant a denial letter that can be used at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to avoid the social security number requirement. This letter is only provided to the J-2 upon request. Please be sure to ask for one. The letter is form SSA-L676 which is printed in the bottom right hand corner of the letter. We have now received assurance that the DMV will accept this letter with the application.
B-1, B-2 and F-2 immigration status-holders are not eligible for social security numbers but can also request the denial letter in order to apply for a Driver's License or California ID.
The Social Security denial letter (SSA-L676) will be accepted from those ineligible to obtain a social security card for the purpose of obtaining either a Driver's License or California ID. If you have experienced difficulty with this process, be assured that Supervisors of the Driver's License section are aware of the letter. If you continue to have problems with DMV staff recognizing the SSA letter, the supervisors recommend that you ask to speak to a supervisor for clarification. Other items necessary for application are your passport, I-94 (small white card in your passport) and your visa document. Please remember that obtaining a driver's license requires passing both a written test and a driving test. Appointments can be made by telephone or in person.