What to Do in Your First Weeks in the U.S.
J-1 Scholars
Complete this orientation to review essential J-1 Exchange Visitor compliance, access transition resources for visitors and families, and obtain a mandatory certificate for SEVIS reporting.
- Visit our J-1 Orientation and click “Enroll"
- You will be prompted to create a free Columbia+ account
- Upon enrollment, you will receive an automated email invitation to the orientation on Courseworks, the learning management system, from [email protected].
- If you are new to Courseworks, you will also receive an email to set up your password
- View each module and click “Next” at the bottom of each page to proceed
- Complete a brief post-orientation quiz and survey
- Upload the Certificate of Completion when Reporting Your Arrival.
For technical support with Orientation enrollment or accessing your certificate, please email [email protected].
For inquiries about the orientation content or for help Reporting Your Arrival, please email your ISSO Adviser.
The most important thing you need to do soon after you arrive in the U.S. is to report your arrival online. This is a government requirement and will activate your SEVIS record. Your SEVIS record has to be active when you apply for a Social Security Number. The online form meets the requirement—you do not need to report your arrival in person.
If you are going to work at Columbia, an SSN is a required part of the paperwork to get paid. J-1 scholars are eligible to apply for an SSN without employment, but it is not required. Learn how to apply for an SSN.
Your health insurance requirement applies to everyone in J status. This includes all family members who may be with you as J-2 dependents.
Let them know you’re here. This is optional but recommended. There are more than 100 consulates in NYC not including the Missions to the UN, Trade Commissions, Cultural Delegations, etc.
We provide opportunities throughout the year for you to meet other new researchers and scholars as well as international scholar advisers. Please review our Events page for a full list of programs and events. We look forward to meeting you soon!
Review Resources for Scholars where you will find information about finding housing, setting up a bank account, purchasing phone plans, and many more resources available to you during your time at Columbia.
H-1B / O-1 / TN / E-3 Employees
Check with your hiring department for procedures for new employees.
If you are going to work at Columbia, an SSN is a required part of the paperwork to get paid. Learn how to apply for an SSN.
Let them know you’re here. This is optional but recommended. There are more than 100 consulates in NYC not including the Missions to the UN, Trade Commissions, Cultural Delegations, etc.
Review Resources for Scholars where you will find information about finding housing, setting up a bank account, purchasing phone plans, and many more resources available to you during your time at Columbia.