INFORMATION FOR H-1B TEMPORARY WORKERS

Arriving in St. Louis

On the Plane

• Do not pack these documents in your checked baggage, because you will need to go through immigration before collecting your baggage.
• If you are unable to provide the proper documentation to inspectors upon your arrival, your arrival processing will be delayed.

You will receive a Form I-94 from airline personnel on the plane prior to your arrival to the U.S.

• Enter your name carefully and legibly, exactly as it is on your passport, when completing the I-94.
• Enter your date of birth carefully on the I-94. It must be entered in day/month/year order (dd/mm/yyyy), unless stated otherwise.
• It is critical that your name, date of birth and other identification match on all immigration documents.

Back to Top

Port of Entry

Detailed descriptions of each bureau's functions are available on their respective websites:
http://www.cbp.gov/
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis
http://www.ice.gov/index.htm

While CBP will determine whether or not you are permitted to enter the U.S., USCIS will process applications you may make to obtain benefits of your status during your stay. Violations of your status or the law may be addressed by ICE.

US-VISIT Procedures at U.S. Consulates and Ports of Entry
The US-VISIT program is a coordinated security effort of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees entry and exit from the U.S., and the Department of State, which issues U.S. entry visas. It includes the collection of biometric (digital fingerprints and photographs) and biographic data in the procedures required of individuals applying for and obtaining entry to the U.S. in nonimmigrant statuses.

Please refer to the website given below for descriptions of what the US-VISIT program means for your entry to (and eventual exit from) the U.S. http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/content_multi_image_0006.shtm

Issuance and Inspection of Immigration Documents
A CBP officer will review your documents, including your passport, H-1B visa, and I-797 Approval Notice. The officer may ask you questions about your stay in the U.S.

Please click here for an explanation of your immigration documents.

Back to Top

Transportation from Airport

• Ask a friend or your department contact to pick you up.
• Taxi: Taxis are available 24 hours a day; the cost from the airport to Washington University is about $25.00 to $30.00. The usual rate for tips is 15% of fare plus $1 per bag.
• Metro Link: For schedules and fare information, go to http://www.metrostlouis.org/Default.aspx and look at the "Schedules and Information" section on the right. To get to the university’s Danforth Campus, get off at the Forest Park Station and ride the shuttle to campus. To get to the Medical School Campus, get off at the Central West End Station.

For maps of both the Danforth and Medical School campuses, please click here.

Back to Top

Steps you should take after you arrive in St. Louis

1. Check in with your sponsoring department and begin completing paperwork for Washington University payroll processing. Federal form I-9 verification and payroll paperwork must be completed within three days of your employment start date. Information on the payroll process can be found at http://oisshome.wustl.edu/scholars/scpayroll.pdf.



2. Complete the Scholar Check-In Form provided by your department. Email the completed form to internationalscholars@wustl.edu along with a copy of your passport identification page, entry visa, I-94 card and I-797 notice (preferably in color).
   (If you do not have access to a scanner or computer, you are welcome to come to the Stix International House on the Danforth Campus to complete check-in)

1. Ten days after your arrival, apply for a Social Security Number at the Social Security Administration Office.

Back to Top