International Post-Docs

Confirmation of Arrival:

All J-1 visa holders are required to confirm their arrival to Bechtel International Center: https://bechtel.stanford.edu/immigration/visa-types/j-1-visitor/mandatory-confirmation-arrival-stanford.

F-1 visa holders are required to confirm arrival online via Axess: http://axess.stanford.edu. Bechtel International Center is an excellent resource for information about visas, federal policies, social events, and language classes: http://bechtel.stanford.edu.

Additional links:

Bechtel Calendar of Programs and Events: https://bechtel.stanford.edu/programs-and-events
Bechtel Programs for International Spouses, Partners & Families: https://bechtel.stanford.edu/programs-and-events/spouses-partners-and-families
Bechtel J-1 Scholar Orientations (bi-monthly): https://bechtel.stanford.edu/coming-stanford/new-scholar-information/j-1-visitor-orientation

Addresses

It is your responsibility to keep your addresses current. If your address changes during your studies, you must report your change of address within 10 days of the move. Failure to do so could result in complications that may jeopardize your visa status. Addresses are maintained in Axess, http://axess.stanford.edu. You need to maintain three addresses: 1) Home Country Address 2) Local U.S. Address 3) Mailing Address (can be the same as your local address). Instructions for updating addresses in Axess can be found at https://bechtel.stanford.edu/immigration/address-updates.

Bank Account

Stanford Federal Credit Union is available to Stanford postdocs. You will need to have your Stanford ID card with you to open an account. Bank of America and Chase also have offices close to the station in PG and Monterey.

Social Security Card

The US requires a social security number (SSN) in order to be paid by a US employer, and you must apply for one in person. If you are being paid salary and do not have a Social Security Number, you must wait two weeks after you notify Bechtel International Center of your arrival in the US.. For more information: https://bechtel.stanford.edu/practical-matters/social-security-number (under J-1 Scholars).

Social Security Offices in Monterey County

Salinas Social Security Administration Office

928 East Blanco Rd, suite 155
Salinas, CA - 93901
877-600-2857

Watsonville Social Security Administration Office

180 Westgate Drive
Watsonville, CA - 95076
(800) 521-3385

Santa Cruz Social Security Administration Office

169 Walnut Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA - 95060
800-593-8523

Driver’s License

If needed, you can apply for a California driver’s license after you obtain an SSN at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). There is a written and driving portion of the test for new licenses. More information can be found here: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/

Monterey County Office

Seaside DMV
1180 Canyon Del Rey Blvd
Seaside, CA 93955