Intrax = “visa sponsor” / employer = “host”

Intrax = “visa sponsor” / employer = “host”

• Intrax = “visa sponsor” / employer = “host”

• J1 visa is a cultural exchange visa

• You are considered an “intern”

• Print off Intrax orientation slides if necessary

• www.experienceintrax.com
• Participant handbook & other resources
• Contact San Francisco office

• Canadians don’t get a visa stamped in the passport; all other nationalities do (Consular appointment)

Can’t change employers or work part-time

• Can’t change employers or work part-time

• 30 day grace period on either end

• Will expire after this work term

• you can do multiple work terms in the US, but each distinct period in the US requires a separate J1

• Can be extended another 4 months if required but there is an EXTRA cost

• If you are 8 month work term, get an 8 month visa

SEVIS

• SEVIS

• Generates DS-2019 Form
• Tracks visa holders
• SEVIS Receipt*
• E-mail contact information to Intrax and Cathy Stein within 1 week (preferably 24-48 hrs)
• Complete home address
• Home, work & mobile phone numbers
• Frequently checked e-mail address
• Update your contact if your address, phone, or e-mail changes so SEVIS is always up to date

• Proof of funds $3,000.00 (bank statement, credit card statement, letter from parents)
• Signed training plan (DS-7002)*
• Offer letter from employer
• Address of where you will be staying*
• Résumé

Gather all documentation and scan them. Send it to your email and to your emergency contact

• Gather all documentation and scan them. Send it to your email and to your emergency contact
• Clean out wallets and purses
• Arrange travel ONLY if you have your DS 2019 form
• Confirm housing appointments
• Connect with other students going to same destinations

Record of your Arrival and Departure to and from the USA by LAND only (not air travel)

• Record of your Arrival and Departure to and from the USA by LAND only (not air travel)
• Obtained at US Customs/point of entry – ask for it!*
• Must fill it out using your FULL LEGAL NAME

This one shows the intern has arrived in the US

• This one shows the intern has arrived in the US
• Notice the date, the J1, and DS marked on this form
• this should remain inside your passport till the last time your leave the US from your work term
• Upon final departure at end of term, submit to Canadian customs and it will be entered to show you have left
• If you get back to school and you still have it inside your passport please contact Intrax or Waterloo

Know what you are covered for

• Know what you are covered for
• Travel Card in wallet at all times
• Know how to use the plan in case of an emergency
• OHIP extension- 8 month and returners
• www.ihaveaplan.ca for more details

Travel card at the bottom, fill it in NOW

• Travel card at the bottom, fill it in NOW
• Member ID #- is your student ID number
• Call 1-800 number first and they will tell you where the nearest doctor, hospital or clinic is to where you are living in the US
• 8 month work term?? –extend your OHIP coverage
• Out of country coverage- letter

Finding an Apartment

• Finding an Apartment

• Connecting with other Waterloo students to cut the cost
• Considering renting a house with other students
• Look online, Off Campus Housing here at Waterloo, craigslist.com
• Look at local university housing/bulletin boards
• Could ask your employer or past students that worked there

• Tips

• Ask a lot of questions! Read everything carefully before signing
• Don’t send money or expect keys without personally seeing the place
• Someone you trust to look at the place for you or Use Google Earth
• Rent or buy and then resell furniture & household supplies
• Find an American roommate!

Check your documentation to ensure you have entered USA correctly - proper stamps

• Check your documentation to ensure you have entered USA correctly - proper stamps
• Contact Co-op & Intrax
• (complete mailing address with phone number are required)
• Register with the nearest Canadian consulate www.voyage.gc.ca/register

Uses for your Social Security number

• Uses for your Social Security number

• Applying for a card:

• Wait 10 days after entering U.S. before applying
• Make sure your visa sponsor has validated your visa with SEVIS
• Bring DS-2019 form/Visa stamp, passport (includes I-94 Form) application form, and letter of employment to nearest SSA office
• Get a receipt for your application

• Card should say “Valid for Work Only with DHS Authorization”

• Have your name on your residence's mailbox to ensure SSN card delivery by the U.S. Postal Service

• Social Security number is valid for life; do not apply for a new number if one has already been issued to you

• Social Security website: www.ssa.gov

Opening an account

• Opening an account

• Bring your Passport, Social Security card, and proof of address
• Do your research on types of accounts: Checking vs. Savings vs. Student accounts

• ATM and Debit cards

• Check cashing

• Ask About:

• Monthly Fees and Minimum Balance
• Time for deposited funds to “clear”
• Bank hours
• Establishing a credit history in the U.S.

W-4 Form

• W-4 Form

• Take a total of 1 or 0 “allowances”

Work smart, not too hard

• Work smart, not too hard
• The first few weeks are the hardest
• Do not be disappointed if you’re not involved with the most challenging projects in the beginning
• Ask your supervisor about the process around sick days as well as other office rules
• If you have problems with your supervisor let us help

• Establish comfortable routine, maintain contact to friends/family

• Stay informed on global issues/ security issues

• Maintain that sense of humour

• Make the most of your opportunity!

• (receptive to new environment yet diligent)

Back to Canada or to Mexico you are fine but you must inform your sponsor of your plans

• Back to Canada or to Mexico you are fine but you must inform your sponsor of your plans
• Travel Validation Signature on Form DS-2019 if outside North America
• Valid I-94 card; Passport; health insurance
• J-1 Visa Stamp with “M” for multiple entries (Non-Canadians)
• Do not remain outside the U.S. for more than 30 consecutive days

Finances and taxes

• Finances and taxes
• Laws
• Culture shock
• Personal Safety and Risk management

Sales tax usually varies from 6% to 9%

• Sales tax usually varies from 6% to 9%

• Tipping is customary

• Have a small amount of cash with you

• Travel cheques

• Student discounts- bring your WatCard

You are subject to most federal as well as all state and local taxes

• You are subject to most federal as well as all state and local taxes

• Do not pay Social Security, Medicare, and FUTA Taxes

• Request a refund from your Employer or file Form 843

• Forms you must file:
• Federal Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ
• Federal Form 8843
• State Tax Form(s)
• Visit the Intrax website for additional tax information

W-2 Form

• W-2 Form

• Provides a summary of your earnings and taxes that were paid
• Your host company will mail it to you in January: make sure that they have your address for this time!

Publication 519 — “U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens”

• Publication 519 — “U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens”

• Publication 515 — Tax guide for host organization

• Give your employer your home address to receive your W-2 forms after leaving the U.S.

• File early: deadline is April 15th – You will be penalized for filing late!

• IRS website: www.irs.gov

Federal Laws

• Federal Laws

• Drinking age is 21+
• No drunk driving
• Open Container Law (Driving)
• Restricted Smoking laws and No Drugs
• No hitch-hiking

• State Laws

• Open Container Laws (Public Places)
• If you are not sure, go online or ask!

Risk Management form

• Risk Management form

• All submitted prior to this session
• Emergency contact listed

• Arrival Notice submissions

• how we can reach you in an emergency
• How we will be in touch- phone first, then email
• Tweets to check your email

• Police Services

• Available for you 24 hours a day

Student

• Student

• pre-departure meetings, documentation, health insurance coverage, travel arrangements, housing, risk management, personal security, emergency notification

• Employer

• Financial compensation, arrival orientation, job supervision, mentoring, professional development, evaluation ( assist with relocation/housing)

• University

• Visa and process advice, pre-departure meetings, student connections, work term and travel advisory monitoring, emergency response, employer assessment

• Visa sponsor

• issuing documents, health insurance, reports and evaluations, SEVIS tracking

We need photographs and lots of them! Here is where you come in! While on your work term capture:

• We need photographs and lots of them! Here is where you come in! While on your work term capture:

• Scenery outside your apartment or around the city

• You at your place of employment

• Places you have visited and /or toured while on the work term

• A nice sunset, or the view of the rocky mountains

• A group shot of all the UW co-ops working at your location

• The city centre, local attractions or famous sites

Questions??

• Questions??