International Scholars

Post-Arrival Checklist

Complete departmental paperwork

Complete new employee paperwork and procedures in your Ohio State host department. Complete tax forms and paperwork for the Ohio State ID card. Determine availability of office space and supplies as well as expectations within the department.

Obtain an Ohio State identification card (BuckID, Medical Center ID or Children's Hospital ID)

Contact the administrative representative in your department. Your Ohio State ID Card allows access to facilities including libraries, recreation centers, computer labs, etc.

How to obtain a BuckID

Attend Visiting Scholar Orientation

Fulfill the mandatory check-in requirement by selecting an Orientation Session at International Affairs in Enarson Classroom Building. Review materials and keep these materials where you can refer to them as needed. Download the presentation to review.

Obtain health insurance

The U.S. government requires all J-1 scholars and their J-2 dependents to have health insurance coverage that meets certain minimum requirements throughout their entire stay in the U.S. If you will be using an Ohio State Faculty and Staff Medical Plan, you will need to arrange for that immediately upon arriving at Ohio State. See the Human Resources person in your department about this.

Get a U.S. social security card

In order to obtain a Social Security letter, please attend J-1 orientation within 20 days after your arrival, which you can sign up for at go.osu.edu/intscholarappointment.

Once you have attended J-1 orientation and your J-1 program has been validated in SEVIS, a Scholar Immigration Specialist can create an SSN letter for you to pick up at 140 Enarson Classroom Building.

Social Security Administration Offices are accepting walk-ins, and you do not need to schedule an appointment.

Prior to going to the Social Security Administration Office, please complete the SSN application. When you complete the form online, you will be provided a control number to print off or write down and provide to the SSA when you submit your documents.

Social Security Administration Office Locations:

You will need to bring the following documents with you to your appointment:

Tour the campus

If you're interested, call the Admissions Office at 614-292-3980 and make a reservation. Guided tours of some campus buildings are provided to visitors, new students, faculty and staff. Learn more at visit.osu.edu.