VISA
Do I need a visa?
Where do I get a visa?
How can I get a visa?
What kind of visa do I need?
What is the limitation of stay on a visa?
Do I have to pay for a visa?
INSURANCE
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Do I need a visa?
People from outside the US are allowed to stay in the US for three months
without a visa. Basically you are considered as a tourist. If you want to
stay longer you will need a visa.
Where do I get a visa?
For a visa you'll need to go to the US-consulate in your home country. Dutch
people who want more information can visit the US embassy site at www.usemb.nl
How can I get a visa?
For a visa you need several papers. First of course a valid passport, but
the most important form to have is an IAP-66 form. Your employer or mentor
in the US must fill out this form. If you are going to work for a Harvard
affiliated institute this paperwork will be taken care of by Harvard International
Office.
What kind of visa do I need?
Most students and post-docs need a J-1 visa. Unless you have a commitment
for more than 2 years and you are paid by the institute, then you might get
a H1-B visa.
What is the limitation of stay on a visa?
On a J-1 visa students can stay up to 24 months as long as they pursue a full
course of study towards a degree, or if they are engaged full-time in a non
degree program. Research scholars can stay for 3 years. Alien physicians can
stay the time typically required to complete the medical specialty involved,
but limited to 7 years. For a H1-B visa there is no maximum time of stay.
Do I have to pay for a visa?
A administrative fee will be charged and will be approximately € 80.
Besides this you have to pay $100 for the sevis-fee. This is a special security
system for the US, where they will take a picture and your fingerprints in
your homecountry. This will be verified once you arrive in the US.
Medical insurance
Medical treatment in the US in expensive, especially if you compare it to
European standards. Although Universities often have their own insurance package,
they usually insist that foreign students are already insured sufficient.
Check with the University or institution what kind of insurance they can provide
you with. Also check in your home country what they can do for you. Make sure
your insurance covers your whole stay. An example of an insurrance-company
specialized in international healthcare issurance is OOM.
Dental insurance
Make sure you have a dental healthcare insurance, since this is not included
in the normal healthcare package. Dental service is very expensive in the
United States. Just a regular check-up costs about 150 dollars and treatment
is much more!! They do not have student discounts unfortunately.