Resources for Foreign National Visitors:

Preliminary Data Forms for Obtaining a Harvard-Sponsored Visa
Upon Arrival In Cambridge
Reporting Requirements for New J-1 Scholars
Information for Foreign Nationals with a Paid Appointment

Once you have viewed these online resources, including the website of the Harvard International Office, please contact the Harvard International Office or the NELC department with specific questions.

Preliminary Data Forms for Obtaining a Harvard-Sponsored Visa:

At least three months prior to arrival, please complete the attached Preliminary Data Sheet II. If you will bring family members on this visa, you will also need to complete and submit the Preliminary Data Sheet III. Once completed, please return it to Jennifer Petrallia, NELC, Harvard University, 6 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138. Once received, Jennifer will submit your form, as well as other supporting documention of sponsorship to the Harvard International Office. That office will generate an IAP-66, which will be mailed to you. You must then bring the IAP-66 to your local US embassy or consulate; the US embassy or consulate will, in turn, issue the official visa to you.

Please note that the Financial Requirements for a J-1 Visa are:
• $25,000 per 12 months, per individual (= $2,083.33 per month)
• Additional $6,000 is required for a spouse
• $3,000 1st child, add $1,000 for each additional child after that

For complete details concerning the Visa acquisition process, please visit the Harvard International Office.

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Upon Arrival in Cambridge:

All foreign visitors must check in with Ivana Hrgra-Griggs in the Harvard International Office (Holyoke Center, Room 864, click here for map) upon arrival on campus. New INS rules require that you register upon arrival. She will make sure that all your visa documents are in order and will also provide you with important orientation information. You can make an appointment with Ms. Hrga-Griggs by calling her at 617-496-2821. Please identify yourself as a newly-arrived Visiting Scholar or Post-Doctoral Fellow in NELC.

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Reporting Requirements for New J-1 Scholars:

The following contains critical and timely information about Harvard J-1 visa sponsored scholars who use the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (Form DS-2019) to enter the US.The Harvard International Office (HIO) is now federally mandated to use and comply with the terms of a new government electronic tracking system known as the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). At this time, SEVIS regulates the F, M, and J visas only. This information addresses the Harvard sponsored J-1 scholar. ***Under SEVIS, scholars are no longer allowed to enter the United States more than 30 days prior to the start date listed on their Form DS-2019. Upon entering the United States, scholars are required to report in person (mail-in registration forms are no longer accepted) to the HIO immediately. Scholars, who do not register with the HIO within 15 days from the start date listed on the DS-2019, may have their visa status automatically "terminated" by SEVIS. When the scholar reports to the HIO, they must bring their passport, Form I-94 (the small white card usually stapled to the inside the passport) and the Form DS-2019. Family members are not required to register. Please be aware that as of April 1, 2003, Holyoke Center security officers will ask all individuals entering the building for their Harvard ID or evidence of Harvard affiliation. International students, scholars and family members who have just arrived in the US may present passports and visa documents. ***Review the Form DS-2019. Verify the start date in section #3 and contact the HIO immediately if: .The scholar plans to arrive EARLY, more than 30 days prior to the start date
.The scholar's travel plans are DELAYED, and he/she may arrive later than 30 days after the start date In both cases a new DS-2019 form may need to be created by the HIO. Failure to comply with SEVIS regulations will affect the scholar's ability to enter the U.S. and/or maintain legal immigration status in the U.S. To learn more about the additional procedures the scholar must complete before coming to the US and to obtain the inforamtion on the latest federal regulations, please review the HIO website http://www.hio.harvard.edu/ on a regular basis. You may also contact that office via phone: 617-495-2789 and e-mail: Ivana_Hrga-Griggs@harvard.edu Note: The HIO continues to offer orientation sessions for new scholars, and their family members. For a current schedule of sessions, please click here

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Information for Foreign Nationals with a Paid Appointment:

If you hold a paid appointment, you must complete and submit to Linda Mishkin the following tax forms:

• I-9 tax form
• M-4 tax form
• W-4 tax form (NOT for residents of Canada, Mexico or South Korea)
W-4 tax form (ONLY for residents of Canada, Mexico or South Korea)

Foreign National Information Form (FNIF)

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