Once in the U.S.A.
You made it into the U.S.! Your journey was long, but by now, you’ve checked into your temporary accomodations, and are looking to finish the process of settling into life here in Charlotte. The following subsections contain information about getting set up at the university, finding permanent housing, arranging health insurance, and getting to know your way around your new city, Charlotte.
SUBMIT ARRIVAL FORMS & ATTEND ORIENTATION & CHECK IN
Newly arriving visiting scholars should attend a mandatory orientation/check-in meeting held each Wednesday at 1:00pm in the ISSO, located in the CHHS building, suite 202. Please submit your arrival information in the ISSO Scholar Portal using the original email address affiliated with your account. Also, be sure to upload your I-94 arrival/departure record and your health insurance card.
Continuing visiting scholars and international faculty who have individual questions and would like to meet with an advisor should email intlsso@charlotte.edu to set up an appointment.
Please also be in contact with your host faculty to notify him/her of your arrival plans.
We encourage you to view this orientation document which will review important immigration information and useful tips for settling into the UNC Charlotte community and the City of Charlotte. However, your check in appointment also serves as an orientation, where you can ask any specific questions that you may have.
COMPLETE THE ON-BOARDING PROCESS
After your visa check in is complete, international scholars and faculty should take steps to complete other on-boarding tasks elsewhere at the university. You should:
- Pick up your 49er ID Card (university ID card)
- If you are receiving payment from UNC Charlotte, complete your I-9 hiring process (follow the instructions at https://hr.charlotte.edu/recruitment-and-hiring/foreign-national-employment)
- Apply for a Social Security Number (also called an “SSN” for short) within the first 90 days of employment (see instructions below)*
To apply for an SSN from the U.S. government:
- Schedule your your SSN appointment online (https://www.ssa.gov/number-card/request-number-first-time)
- APPOINTMENTS ONLY (no walk-ins) – You must have an appointment to visit the Social Security Administration, no exceptions!
- You cannot schedule a ‘same day’ appointment. The appointment wait times are usually within 1 week or less.
- Tips for completing the online SSN application
- Enter your name on your online application as it is listed in your passport and your I-20/DS-2019. If your name does not match your other documents, your application may be delayed, or denied.
- Verify the format of your address in Google maps (https://www.google.com/maps) or with USPS to confirm that your address is correct. If you enter your address incorrectly, your SSN card may not reach you through the mail.
- Bring these physical documents (electronic copies will not be accepted) to your SSN appointment:
- DS-2019 or I-797 approval notice
- Passport
- I-94
- Employment or Invitation Letter from your supervisor
- Upon submission, request a receipt for your records.
After you receive your Social Security card in the mail (in 2 to 4 weeks), take it to the King Building (Building # 11 on the Campus Map) Room 222. Federal law requires that the university keep a copy of the original card.
SECURE LONG TERM HOUSING
On-Campus Housing
The University has temporary and short term apartments available on campus for visiting international faculty and researchers. Arrangements for living in these apartments are made through your sponsoring academic department.
Costs of Off-Campus Housing
Apartment costs vary greatly. A one bedroom apartment could cost anywhere from $500 – $1000 per month, depending on the location and level of luxury; a two or three bedroom apartment could range from $700 – $1200 a month. Some rentals do not include utility costs (gas, heat and electricity). This can run an additional $30 – $110 per month, depending on apartment size and your usage of energy. Unless otherwise specified, most apartments are also unfurnished.
Locating Your Apartment
If you do not own a car, your transportation options may include car-pooling, living near a Charlotte bus route, or living within walking distance of the university.
The Best Apartment Finding Resources
- The ISSO has a list of off-campus apartment complexes near UNC Charlotte
- The Campus News or the University Times listing
- The Charlotte Observer, the local daily newspaper and bulletin boards on campus
When determining the best place for your needs, keep in mind the following:
- Is it in a safe area?
- What are the conditions of the lease?
- If there is no lease, what are the conditions of tenancy?
- How much is the security deposit? How and when is it returned?
- How do you arrange for repairs?
- How is the building secured? Are the locks and doors secure?
- What provisions are made for fire safety?
- Is the apartment insured?
- What kind of heat is provided? Is it included in the rent? If not, how much will the monthly cost be on average?
- What utilities are included in the rent?
- Where are the nearest laundry facilities? Stores? Restaurants?
- Is it located near the school (s) you want your children to attend?
SIGN UP FOR (OR BUY) HEALTH INSURANCE
Per federal regulations, ALL J-1 visa holders and their J-2 dependents MUST have medical insurance for the period of their appointment, starting on the day of arrival. Failure to maintain health insurance is a serious violation of the Exchange Visitor Program regulations and will result in the cancellation of your program.
The insurance coverage must meet the minimums set by the Department of State as follows:
- $100,000 per accident or illness,
- Medical evacuation of $50,000 and
- Repatriation of remains of $25,000
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
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The insurance policy must be underwritten by an insurance corporation with an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or above; an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of “A-1” or above a Standard and Poor’s Claims Paying Ability rating of “A-” or above; “A-“or above by Fitch Ratings, Inc.; “A3” or above by Moody’s Investor Services; or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above. Alternatively, the sponsor (UNCC) may ascertain that the EV’s policy is backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the EV’s home country.
Health Insurance
University
For UNC Charlotte appointments eligible for University sponsored health insurance (post-docs and full-time appointments only), your coverage will not begin until the month following your arrival or program start date, whichever is later. Therefore, you are still required to purchase coverage effective on your date of entry into the U.S. (see below).
Other
If you are not eligible for University-sponsored insurance, or you need coverage until your University-sponsored insurance begins, please find below several links to U.S. health insurance companies offering plans that meet the J-1 requirements:
Click here for additional health insurance information
- International Student Insurance (ISI) – available for scholars too
- ISO
- Seven Corners
- IMGlobal