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Arriving in the USA

At the Airport

Upon arrival to the US, students will present their passport, visa, I-20/DS-2019, and SEVIS I-901 Fee Payment Receipt to representatives of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the port of entry. You will be assigned an I-94 number upon entry to the US; this number is proof of your legal visitor status. Students can access their I-94 Arrival/Departure Record from the CBP website (https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home).

Transport into the City

The Philadelphia International Airport is the major airport closest to campus. Airport information centers in baggage claim areas provide details on the various ground transportation options, which include:

See the Philadelphia International Airport website for a full description of ground transportation options.

It is also possible to fly to New York area airports (JFK International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, or Newark International Airport) and travel by Amtrak train or bus (e.g., Megabus, Boltbus, Greyhound) to Philadelphia. Travel to Philadelphia from the New York City area can be more expensive and time-consuming than direct arrival into Philadelphia, and can be very confusing to those unfamiliar with these cities. For a full description of all travel options, please see the Penn Travel and Expense Management website.

Complete New Student/Scholar Check-In

You are required to register your presence at Penn by completing a check-in with ISSS. Please complete the following steps:

  1. Before or after you arrive in the USA:
    Complete the tutorial in iPenn (https://www.ipenn.oip.upenn.edu/)
  2. After you arrive in the USA:
    Complete the arrival form in iPenn (https://www.ipenn.oip.upenn.edu/)

All J-1 scholars are required to complete the J-1 Scholar Orientation and Arrival Form in iPenn and virtually check in with an ISSS specialist.

The check-in process should be completed within 10 days of the program start date on your DS-2019. If your scheduled arrival date has changed due to the COVID-19 outbreak or other circumstances, you should contact your department administrator regarding your new scheduled arrival start date.

Fall 2020 note: While we would normally meet you in person to guide you through the check-in process, ISSS is currently operating remotely due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Please do not come to our office until we resume in-person operations.

Get a Social Security Card

For new employees, you will need a valid Social Security Number in order to work in the USA. Information about the F-1 and J-1 Social Security Application Instructions are located at the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) website. After applying for a Social Security Number, it takes two to six weeks for your card to arrive, so plan accordingly.

Social Security Office Address: 2 Penn Center, Suite 2000B, 1500 JFK Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19102

Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 am – 3:30 pm

Website: www.ssa.gov/phila

 

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