If you will need a visa to work, study, teach, or conduct research at UVM, the Office of International Education (OIE) will guide you through that process in collaboration with your hiring or hosting department. 

1. Complete forms in iStart system and receive immigration documents: Your hiring department will provide access to your visa request forms and you will be instructed by email to provide your information in the OIE's iStart system. The OIE will process the relevant immigration documents and email you with next steps. 
2. Apply for your visa: After receiving your immigration document, you will apply for a visa at a US embassy or consulate. Citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not need a visa to enter the US. We encourage you to plan ahead for this step, as visa applications can take multiple months depending on wait times in the country where you will apply.
3. Travel to the US: You will be permitted to enter the US a certain number of days before your start date at UVM, depending on your visa type. The OIE will share your invididual requirements with you.

We recommend that you begin planning where to live and securing accommodation as soon as you know that you are coming to UVM. The university owns limited housing available to scholars and employees, and many choose to live elsewhere in Burlington and the surrounding towns. Our housing webpage has tips and information that may be helpful in your search.

The US healthcare system operates differently than many other countries, and it may take some time to understand how best to find the care you need. We recommend that you visit a doctor for a general check-up before leaving your home country, since doing so may feel easier than finding a new doctor soon after your arrival in Vermont. If you have any prescription medications, we recommend that you bring a supply with you, as well as copies of your prescriptions translated into English and the chemical name of the active drugs in the medicine. This will make it easier for your new doctors to help you continue those medications in the US. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, consider bringing extra pairs in case something gets lost or broken, and bring a copy of your recent eye exam prescription. 

Some international employees and scholars will be provided with UVM employee health insurance as a benefit of employment with the university. Other scholars and visitors will be required to purchase health insurance that meets government requirements for J-1 visitors. If you have dependents, you will need to sign them up for health insurance coverage, too. For scholars who receive UVM employee health insurance, this will happen after you arrive and start working.

New scholars, visitors, and employees can fly directly to Burlington International Airport (BTV) or take a bus or train to Burlington from another point of arrival. New York City, Boston, and Montreal are all within a distance that travel can occur in a day. However, public transit routes from these cities often occur only once per day, so we encourage you to research your travel connection options before purchasing your flights. Burlington International Airport is connected with the UVM campus and downtown Burlington by a city bus and taxis. While taxis and rideshare options like Uber and Lyft exist in the Burlington area, they are not as readily available as they are in some bigger cities in the US.

Connect with International Student and Scholar Organizations: UVM has groups and associations that bring together students and scholars from different countries and cultural backgrounds. Some of these are tied to specific countries, others to regions of the world. Check out the list of international student and scholar organizations, as well as other ways to get involved on the UVM campus, on our website. If you are looking for specific connections in the international community (such as scholars from your home country), contact the OIE at InternationalScholars@uvm.edu and we will do our best to facilitate that.

Learn About Resources for your Family: If you will be coming to UVM with your family, we know that you may have extra questions about engaging your family members in the community. Learn about information, resources, and activities for spouses and families here.

Connect with your Hiring or Hosting Department: Ask your supervisor or departmental administrator for contact information for other students and scholars in your department who might be willing to connect and answer any questions you may have. People at UVM are friendly and happy to help newcomers!

Check Out UVM's Cultural Resource Guide: Developed by UVM's Division of Inclusive Excellence, the Cultural Resource Guide aims to highlight the diversity of local resources, communities, and opportunities surrounding UVM.