Introduction

This guide is designed to help newcomers from foreign countries cope with the process of moving to the U.S. Many aspects of life in the U.S. will be unfamiliar at first. On top of decisions and adjustments that are hard to make, language barriers will present even more difficulties. Fermilab intends to help their foreign newcomers by providing information on some of the most important topics. Reviewing the information in this document carefully before traveling to the U.S. may save time, money and inconvenience.

All the contributors to this guide did their best to assure that the chapters cover the most important topics, and that the information is correct. However, Fermilab and its employees cannot be held liable for errors contained in this guide. In particular, Fermilab cannot guarantee that laws, rules, addresses, numbers and procedures have not changed since this guide was written. The guide is updated periodically. If you find an item that is no longer correct, please let us know.

Please check with the appropriate institutions and confirm the information obtained from this guide before taking action. Remember that everybody at Fermilab is more than happy to help you with administrative questions here in the U.S., but the final responsibility always remains with you. This applies especially for visa and tax requirements.

The following overview will give you an idea of the typical order in which things need to be taken care of before and after you arrive in the U.S. You will find details in the following chapters of this guide.

Before you arrive in the U.S.:
Visa - Get the necessary paperwork from Fermilab, if applicable, and obtain your visa at the U.S. consulate. You should start this process at least two months before joining Fermilab.

Your first working day at Fermilab:
Attend new-employee orientation at Fermilab (for employees only) and choose health plan OR check in at the Users' Office (for visitors); obtain Illinois Rules of the Road book in the Users' Office and start preparing for the driver's license test.

Your first week in the U.S.:
Look around for apartments and become familiar with the area; call Social Security Facility for Social Security Number if you are employed by a U.S. institution.

After you obtained your Social Security Number:
Open bank account; get Illinois drivers license; inform yourself about cars and car insurance.

First month:
Rent an apartment and sign up for utilities; buy a car.

Before April 15th:
File tax return.

Table of Contents

I.  Visa
    1.  Basic terms and procedures
         a)  Institutions
         b)  Important terms
    2.  List of some non-immigrant visa statuses
    3.  How to apply for a visa
         a)  General tips
         b)  Remarks for specific visa types
    4.  Accompanying family
         a)  Visas
         b)  Work authorization
    5.  Extensions
    6.  Glossary

II.  Social Security Number
    1.  What is a Social Security number?
    2.  How to apply for a Social Security number
    3.  Eligibility of spouses and children of work visa holders
    4.  Safety

III.  Health Insurance
    1.  Medical plans offered by Fermilab
         a)  Visitors at Fermilab
         b)  Fermilab employees
    2.  HMO, PPO and POS (Health insurance plans for Fermilab employees)
         a)  Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
         b)  Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
         c)  Point-of Service (POS)
         d)  Dental Care
    3.  How to choose a doctor
    4.  Glossary of terms you might need if dealing with health insurance questions

IV.  Housing
    1.  Living on-site
    2.  Living off-site
         a)  Motels and motel suites for short-term stays
         b)  Renting an apartment
              aa)  Types of apartments
              bb)  How to find an apartment
              cc)  Apartment living
              dd)  Costs
              ee)  Ordering utility services
         c)  Buying a house

V.  Schools
    1.  System
    2.  Schools in the Fermilab area
    3.  Comparability to schools in your home country

VI.  Money and Banking
    1.  Living expenses
    2.  Banking
         a)  Checking and savings account
         b)  Argonne Credit Union
         c)  Checks
         d)  ATM/Debit/Check Card
         e)  Credit card
         f)  Credit history

VII.  Driver's license
    1.  Obtaining driver's license
    2.  Written test
    3.  Behind-the-wheel test
    4.  Learning how to drive

VIII.  Car
    1.  Buying a car
         a)  Sources
         b)  Dealing with salespersons
         c)  How to make a decision
    2.  Title and registration
         a)  Title
         b)  Registration
    3.  Vehicle emission test
    4.  Auto insurance
         a)  Insurance rates
         b)  G.F. Mann Agency

IX.  Taxes
    1.  How to file a tax return
    2.  Resident or Nonresident
    3.  Tax forms
    4.  Tax treaties
    5.  Social Security tax

X.  Language
    1.  Classes at Fermilab
    2.  College of DuPage

XI.  Weather
    1.  Normal conditions
    2.  Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes