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Upon arrival, the international visitor will probably need help in certain areas (i.e. applying for a social security card, obtaining appropriate health insurance coverage, enrolling their children in school, questions on foreign taxation, English class for spouses and/or children, etc.). The International Center sends a comprehensive informational packet to the visitor in an attempt to answer some of these questions in advance. We also provide you with additional information to give them upon arrival. We encourage new international visitors to schedule an appointment with the International Center within their first week at Tufts for a one-on-one orientation. The orientation will address the immigration law pertaining to their visa status and will help with any questions they may still have in accordance with above-mentioned. We do our best to answer their questions and to direct them to the appropriate resources.

Since the International Center is not the first point of contact when the international scholar arrives at the University, it is crucial that you, as the host department be as prepared as possible to handle their arrival needs. Doing so will inevitably make it a more positive experience for both your department and the international visitor.

The following is a quick checklist to assist you in planning for a successful exchange between your department and the international visitor whom you are inviting:

Please ensure these steps are taken even for those Visitors who will be in unpaid positions*.

• *Credentials/English Skills: Determine if visitor has appropriate educational credentials and skills for program. Determine if visitor has adequate English skills (verbal & written) to function in university community and achieve program goals.
• *Send Invitation Letter: Be sure to send an invitation letter carefully detailing terms of the appointment at Tufts University. 
• *Assign a Department Host: Assign a faculty member or staff member from your department as "host" to the international visitor to help facilitate their arrival, especially in terms of administrative needs. It is a great welcoming gesture to arrange for an international visitor to be picked up at the airport or to provide the visitor with the home telephone number of the department host.
• *Arrange for Temporary Housing: It will be very helpful to the incoming visitor, if you can arrange a temporary housing situation in order to allow the visitor some time to secure permanent housing.
• *Prepare Office or Laboratory Space: You should inform visitor beforehand of these arrangements (i.e will the visitor have his/her own office space or will she/he need to share an office, computer, telephone etc.). These details will be more beneficial if included in your invitation letter.
• *Assist with applying for Library Card: Temporary identification numbers can be obtained from Campus Police at the time they apply for a Tufts Identification card. You may need to provide them with a letter for Campus Police. The International Center will provide information to the international visitor on how to obtain a social security card.
• Ensure that PAF will be processed in a timely fashion: If the person is going to receive compensation, ensure that they will receive their first paycheck in a prompt manner. The PAF can only be processed after they have arrived in U.S.
• Schedule Benefits Orientation: If the international visitor is eligible for benefits, then ensure that their benefits orientation is scheduled within their first week of arrival.
• DO NOT ASSIST WITH TAX FORMS: This is the one area that you should not get involved in. W-4, W-8, tax treaty forms or any payroll/tax related form should be completed by the international visitor with the assistance of the Payroll office and the Service Center.