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International Scholars

Contact the Visa and Immigration Services

All international Postdoctoral Scholars must visit the Visa and Immigration Services office within the first few days of their arrival to campus.

Get a U.S. Bank Account

To easily receive your paycheck, opt for direct deposit into a U.S. bank account. Consider the Island Federal Credit Union at Stony Brook University. You can often open an account without a Social Security Number. Provide your bank details to payroll for bi-weekly automatic paycheck deposits.

Learn about Taxes

If you are hired as an employee by Stony Brook, you may be liable to pay income tax during your postdoc. The details of your situation will depend upon a number of factors, including your appointment type, your country of citizenship, and any tax treaties that may apply to you.

Information and resources on taxes are available for postdocs each year around tax time (January through April). Additional resources are available through the National Postdoctoral Association.

Get a Social Security Number

To receive a paycheck in the U.S., obtaining a Social Security Number (SSN) is crucial. Start by contacting the Office of Visa and Immigration Services for an authorization letter. International postdocs should promptly initiate the SSN request process, but note that payment is possible even during this period. Consult your department during onboarding for guidance.

Read More about SSN from Visa and Immigration

Driving in New York

You do not need to be a New York resident to register a car in New York State, and you may drive in New York on a foreign or international driver license. You also can obtain a New York driver license as a non-U.S. citizen; see the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Web site for more information on Moving to New York.

International Postdoc Survival Guide

The National Postdoctoral Association maintains an International Postdoc Survival Guide with tips on things like your visa status, getting a credit card, and general aspects of living in the United States, like health insurance and taxes.