J-1 Scholar & J-1 Student Interns Orientation & Arrival Checklist

J-1 Scholar Orientation is held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 10-11 am in the Office of Global Services, Car Barn Suite 140. Email internationalscholars@georgetown.edu or your IS Advisor to register. J-1 Student Interns must schedule a check-in appointment with their dedicated IS Advisor.

All new J-1 Scholars are required to attend a J-1 Scholar Orientation within 30 days of the start date listed on the Form DS-2019. Please try to attend the Tuesday session following your arrival.

OGS must register your arrival in SEVIS within 30 days of the start date of your DS-2019 in order for you to remain legally in the United States. You must attend a J-1 orientation to be registered. If you will arrive later than expected, please notify your dedicated IS Advisor.

You also must attend the orientation before applying for a Social Security Number (SSN) and prior to any international travel.

Note: if you intend to travel outside of the United States after your arrival, in order to re-enter the United States you will need to obtain a travel signature on the DS-2019 from your IS Advisor.

International Scholar Arrival Checklist

• Update your Google Calendar to the Eastern (ET) time zone
• Attend the J-1 Scholar Orientation or schedule a check-in appointment with your IS advisor (for J-1 Student Interns). J-1 Scholar Orientation is held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month from 10-11 am. Email internationalscholars@georgetown.edu or your IS Advisor to reserve your spot.  
• If you will be paid by a U.S. source, apply for a Social Security Number (new window) in-person two days after you have attended the J-1 Orientation or check-in appointment. Please enter your zip code in the Social Security Administration’s Social Security Office Locator (new window) to determine the appropriate SSA Field Office. No appointment is necessary. Once you receive your SSN, go back to the GU I-9 Office and request that they insert your SSN into your GMS record. Do not email your SSN.
• If you will be paid by Georgetown, complete the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form process. You need to be in the United States and have your I-94 Record to complete this process.
• If you will be paid by Georgetown, set up your tax withholding once on-boarded in GMS. You should receive an email from support@online-tax.net with the subject line “Payments from Georgetown University” to provide information to the GLACIER Online Tax Compliance System and a second email from noreply@box.com indicating that a secure document storage folder has been created for you to upload your documents. Once you have completed your information in GLACIER, be sure to print the summary report and all forms, sign and date in ink, scan, and upload the scanned forms and passport and visa documents to the Box folder. 

Note: If you do not have your SSN at the time that you are setting up your tax withholding, you will need to log back into GLACIER and enter your SSN once received, reprint all forms, sign, scan, and upload to the Box folder again. You will not get any tax treaty benefits, if eligible, until this is completed and reviewed by the Tax Department. 

• If you will be paid by Georgetown and are eligible for GU health insurance, enroll in your benefits in GMS. You must sign up for health insurance within the first 30 days. Please note that the Kaiser HDHP 3 Signature or CareFirst CDHP plans do not meet the J-1 requirements, so you should not choose these plans.
• If you will be paid by Georgetown, set up your US bank account and enter the details in GMS by the 25th of the month for employees paid monthly or by the Monday of the pay week for employees paid bi-weekly to have your salary directly deposited into your bank account. If you miss this deadline, your paycheck will be mailed to the address in GMS causing a delay in receipt of your salary.
• If you are not paid by the University and are a Visiting Researcher on the Main Campus: Check-in with your host Department Administrator and pay your Visiting Researcher fee.
• If you are not paid by the University and are a Visiting Researcher at the Law Center: Check-in with Mariah Strauch-Nelson.
• If you are not paid by the University and are an Affiliated Researcher, Medical Center Researcher or Student Intern: Check-in with your Department Administrator.
• Obtain your GOCard (University ID) after your information has been entered into the University system.
• Set up your Georgetown e-mail account. Follow the instructions on the University Information Services website. To obtain your NetID, enter your information in the Georgetown Directory.
• Familiarize yourself with transportation and parking on campus: Check the Office of Transportation Management website for the shuttle bus schedule and information about parking on campus.
• Explore Georgetown’s recreational and sports facilities: Visit Yates Field House and GU Wellness for more information.
• Secure housing: If you need assistance in finding housing for your stay, housing listings are available on the Office of Neighborhood Life website. Their office is located at 1300 36th St.