Getting Settled
 

Getting Settled / Arrival Checklist

Additional To-Do List for International Scholars

  • You must register with the Harvard International Office immediately upon your arrival at Harvard: (617) 495-2789, Holyoke Center, Room 864, 1350 Massachusetts Avenue. Please note that a representative of the Harvard International Office is at HSPH every Thursday, from 10 am-12pm in the Kresge Building, room G-29.
  • If you are an international postdoc with work authorization, you need to get a social security number. Go to a Social Security Office (Federal Office Building, 10 Causeway Street, Boston, MA or 240 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville, MA) to apply for a social security number. Bring your passport, I-94 card, I-20 form or IAP-66 form. Before going to the Social Security Office, be sure to check with your department administrator to make sure you have all the forms. You must return with a letter stating that you have applied for a social security number. Be sure to ask for this letter as it is typically given only to those who ask. Without this letter, your paperwork cannot be processed by the Payroll Office.
  • If you are a foreign national and your funding agency will be purchasing health insurance for you, please see Mary Tinkham in the International Office to discuss your insurance options. For more information on health insurance for international postdocs, please see the pamphlet here.
  • Set up a bank account: a good place to start an account is through the Harvard University Employee's Credit Union (HUECU). There you may easily obtain a credit card. For other banks, see the Banking Services information in the Getting Settled section of this website. For the HUECU, call (617) 495-4460.
  • Check with the Tax Office to find out about your tax liabilities if you are a non-US citizen/permanent resident. Stipendee postdocs should understand their tax reporting obligations. (617) 496-5224