VSPA at UCB

Postdocs and Visiting Scholars Social Security Number

Postdocs and visiting scholars who enter the country with a J-1 or H-1 visa and who are compensated by the University should immediately upon arrival secure a social security number. This federal identification number is required to start up campus paperwork to activate compensation and the issuance of a CAL identification card which is needed to access services, e.g., library, e-mail, housing, and parking.

For the Social Security Office nearest campus, please go http://s3abaca.ssa.gov/pro/fol/fol-form.cgi and enter 94720 which is UC Berkeley's zip code. The office location as well as directions will be displayed.

USCIS Reporting Requirement

All non-U.S. citizens must inform USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) of their change of address.

The USCIS is now strictly enforcing the regulation that all non-U.S. citizens including permanent residents (immigrants/"green card" holders) must file Form AR-11 within 10 days of moving to a new address. Failure to do so can result in a $200 fine, 30 days in jail, and possible deportation for which there is no waiver available.

About USCIS Form AR-11 — Your Responsibilities

All non-U.S. citizens present in the United States (including permanent residents - "green card" holders) are required to report their residence address to the USCIS during their stay. This requirement has always been in place, but the USCIS has not enforced it until recently. We therefore encourage all non-citizen students, visiting scholars, and employees associated with the University to report their resident address to the USCIS in accordance with the law.

You should complete form AR-11 for your current residence address now if you have not done so in the past. If you move your residence at any time in the future, you are required to complete form AR-11 within 10 days of changing your address. You do not need to report past addresses.

"Residence" address means where you live. P.O. boxes, office or work addresses, or parent's/home addresses are NOT acceptable for AR-11.

Changing your address with the University (through BearFacts, Telebears, Registrar Office, your department, etc.) does NOT currently constitute a notification to USCIS. You should still complete form AR-11.

You do not need to complete AR-11 when you go on vacation or temporarily re-locate. Generally, if you live in one place as a residence for more than 30 days, you should complete form AR-11.

An AR-11 should be completed for each individual non-citizen, including all dependents (F-2, J-2, H-4, etc.)

If you currently have an application pending with USCIS for some other purpose, AR-11 will not change the address given on the application.

Instructions for Form AR-11

Downloads for form AR-11 are available at the following link: http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/ar-11.htm

		Visiting Scholar and Postdoc Affairs, UC Berkeley
		Postdocs and Visiting Scholars Social Security Number Postdocs and visiting scholars who enter the country with a J-1 or H-1 visa and who are compensated by the University should immediately upon arrival secure a social security number. This federal identification number is required to start up campus paperwork to activate compensation and the issuance of a CAL identification card which is needed to access services, e.g., library, e-mail, housing, and parking. For the Social Security Office nearest campus, please go http://s3abaca.ssa.gov/pro/fol/fol-form.cgi and enter 94720 which is UC Berkeley's zip code. The office location as well as directions will be displayed. USCIS Reporting Requirement All non-U.S. citizens must inform USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) of their change of address. The USCIS is now strictly enforcing the regulation that all non-U.S. citizens including permanent residents (immigrants/"green card" holders) must file Form AR-11 within 10 days of moving to a new address. Failure to do so can result in a $200 fine, 30 days in jail, and possible deportation for which there is no waiver available. About USCIS Form AR-11 — Your Responsibilities All non-U.S. citizens present in the United States (including permanent residents - "green card" holders) are required to report their residence address to the USCIS during their stay. This requirement has always been in place, but the USCIS has not enforced it until recently. We therefore encourage all non-citizen students, visiting scholars, and employees associated with the University to report their resident address to the USCIS in accordance with the law. You should complete form AR-11 for your current residence address now if you have not done so in the past. If you move your residence at any time in the future, you are required to complete form AR-11 within 10 days of changing your address. You do not need to report past addresses. "Residence" address means where you live. P.O. boxes, office or work addresses, or parent's/home addresses are NOT acceptable for AR-11. Changing your address with the University (through BearFacts, Telebears, Registrar Office, your department, etc.) does NOT currently constitute a notification to USCIS. You should still complete form AR-11. You do not need to complete AR-11 when you go on vacation or temporarily re-locate. Generally, if you live in one place as a residence for more than 30 days, you should complete form AR-11. An AR-11 should be completed for each individual non-citizen, including all dependents (F-2, J-2, H-4, etc.) If you currently have an application pending with USCIS for some other purpose, AR-11 will not change the address given on the application. Instructions for Form AR-11 Downloads for form AR-11 are available at the following link: http://uscis.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/ar-11.htm Complete the form as indicated. Leave "A - Copy Number from Alien Card" blank unless you are a permanent resident. You may make your best estimate of how long you expect to stay at the address. You do not need to be exact. If you move, you will complete a new AR-11. For school or employer's name and address, please put "UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720" (NOTE: students on Practical or Academic Training should still put UC Berkeley, not their employer's name and address.) "Port of Entry" is the city or airport where you entered the U.S. and went through immigration inspection. F and J status holders: for "My stay in the U.S. expires on," please put "D/S." H, O, E, A and other "date certain" status holders: for "My stay in the U.S. expires on" ,please put the end date on your I-94 or approval notice. Permanent Resident status holders: for "My stay in the U.S. expires on," please put "Indefinite."