Visas
The Office of International Education (OIE) is the point of contact for international scholars, including postdocs, regardless of visa status. They handle all concerns of international scholars, including visa processing and check-in on arrival, among others.
Insurance and Salary Deductions
You can ask the Human Resources department regarding your salary as well as any deductions, as these deductions are generally not specified in your offer letter. It's also best to confirm if health benefits are included in your contract for you and your dependents. Knowing your salary deductions will help in making your budget for your living expenses.
International travel
If you are on an immigration status sponsored by UVM, you will need to contact the OIE before making any travel arrangements abroad, whether personal or official. This is important to ensure you can re-enter the US without issue.
Housing
Looking for housing in Vermont is challenging, even for locals, as the rental market is very tight. Although it is highly recommended to secure your housing before arriving in Vermont, beware of scammers in housing listings. Most landlords and property managers in the US also require a Social Security Number and a credit score for renters. As an International Scholar, you will only get both of these once you arrive in the US. In some cases, your offer letter from UVM may be enough of a guarantee for them. When possible, it can be useful to have someone in your department who is already in Vermont look at a prospective apartment for you if you are hoping to sign a lease from abroad. Networking with others in your department can also be helpful in finding housing that might not be listed elsewhere. The OIE also has some information for scholar housing. Check out our Housing Resources page for more tips.
Transportation
Green Mountain Transit operates buses that run in Chittenden County, which includes Burlington and surrounding areas. Bus rides are free for UVM ID holders. However, as the bus lines aren't as extensive compared to other places abroad, many locals and international arrivals choose to get a bike or a car.
Burlington has several bike lanes that you can use to get to work, and there are several bike shops in the area where you can buy a bike and have it serviced. UVM is a bike-friendly campus, and also has its own bike co-op that offers bike repair and bike rentals. If you'd like to use an electric bike (useful for Burlington's hills!) but don't want to invest in getting your own, you can also go for the Greenride Bike Share program. Rates are discounted for UVM students and employees.
If you'd prefer the convenience of a car, one option is carsharing, where you pay for the use of a car by the hour, in addition to a monthly fee. This is recommended if you live near a carshare parking slot and if you only use a car occasionally for a few hours, such as grocery shopping. You can also rent a car (see UVM's discounts for car rentals) for a full day or longer if you want to go on occasional trips. However, if you intend to commute to campus regularly by car, or if carsharing or rentals will not work for you, buying a car may be more cost-effective.
When budgeting for a car, make sure to include car insurance costs in your computation. Insurance costs can be sizeable, especially if you are a newly licensed driver or are driving with a foreign license. Applying for a Vermont Driver's License can help drive down insurance costs. More details are available on the Vermont DMV site.
Secondhand cars can be bought from used car dealers or from private individuals. If you're buying a car and need some advice, let us know and we'll be happy to help you as much as we can.
Social Security
The Social Security Number (SSN) is necessary for all postdocs. This is used for tax reasons, but also is helpful for things like opening bank accounts (not required by all banks), getting credit cards, renting from certain landlords, etc. The OIE will guide you through the SSN application procedure during your check-in upon arrival in the US. You cannot apply for an SSN until after you are physically in the US and have checked in with the OIE. The SSN is private information and should not be divulged unless required. Entities that need the SSN include US government agencies (DMV, IRS, USCIS), financial institutions, and housing companies. You may be a victim of identity theft if you disclose your SSN to unscrupulous individuals. Check the OIE's page on how to apply for your SSN.
Credit Score
Some landlords require a credit score for applicants. This is challenging to international arrivals who do not have a credit score yet. In some cases, you may ask someone with an established credit score to serve as your co-signer while you work on establishing your credit score. The most popular way to build your credit score is through starter credit cards targeted to individuals who want to build or rebuild credit history. You can ask your bank about your options, or you can also look at online providers. Note that before you apply for a credit card, you must have an existent bank account in the US and your Social Security Number.
Banks
You will need to open a US bank account to receive your salary. Any bank in the US will do, and there are number of banks in the Burlington area. Aside from the big banks with branches in several states, there are also smaller banks and credit unions. Although US citizens and permanent residents can apply for bank accounts online, this is not usually the case for international arrivals. The OIE will provide banking information when you check in. You should carry your immigration documents and cash to open your account.
Unlike in some countries, US banks generally charge a monthly maintenance fee for a checking or savings account, but this can be waived under certain circumstances. For international arrivals, fees for international wire transfers may also be relevant. Check the banks' websites to see which one works best for you. If you'd like our advice, send us a message!