Information for your stay in the US
The information provided below is intended to help international scholars and employees acclimate to life in the U.S. Be sure to review this information for recommendations about housing, visas, U.S. culture and more.
USCIS requires an Academic Credentials Evaluation for most employment-based immigration petitions.
Find information on Social Security Numbers here. Schedule an appointment with the office of Social Security. The telephone number for the office in Center City is 1-800-772-1213. If you will apply at a different office, find the telephone number at Field Office Locator | SSA. On the day of your appointment, go to. Philadelphia Social Security Card Center.
Read more about Obtaining/Renewing a Pennsylvania Driver's License here.
You are required to inform USCIS if you change your home address or your name.
ISSS highly recommends that you subscribe to the International Scholars Listserv for immigration updates and cultural events.
ISSS has received an increasing number of phone and email scams affecting international students and scholars. There has been an uptick in housing and rental scams where individuals transfer money before they start their program in the U.S. to a fraudulent realtor or landlord, scamming the victims out of hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Other reported scams involve phone calls from alleged government representatives demanding personal information and money with threats of deportation from the U.S.
Please educate yourself about phone and email scams so that you do not become a victim. If you believe that you have been a victim of a scam, contact our office immediately at 215-204-7708.
Please refer to the links below for helpful resources to protect your identity and information.
- USA.gov
- Identiy Theft
- Office of Inspector General
- Federal Trade Commission
- Imposter Scams
- IRS Scam Video
ISSS has received an increasing number of phone and email scams affecting international students and scholars. There has been an uptick in housing and rental scams where individuals transfer money before they start their program in the U.S. to a fraudulent realtor or landlord, scamming the victims out of hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Other reported scams involve phone calls from alleged government representatives demanding personal information and money with threats of deportation from the U.S.
Please educate yourself about phone and email scams so that you do not become a victim. If you believe that you have been a victim of a scam, contact our office immediately at 215-204-7708.
Please refer to the links below for helpful resources to protect your identity and information.
International Visitors are encouraged to work with Temple University's Office of Off Campus Housing to locate housing in Philadelphia and the surrounding area.
ISSS maintains a list of referred immigration attorneys.
The university maintains a confidential reporting line that’s available 24/7 for you to ask questions or report any concerns you have about integrity at Temple—without fear of retaliation.
You can report unethical or unsafe practices anonymously.
Please be aware of your surroundings while walking. If possible, travel with friends and walk in well-lit, regularly traveled streets or pathways. Reach out to Campus Safety for more information on Walking Escorts.
If at any time you have concerns about your safety, do not hesitate to call 911 or Temple Police at 215-204-1234 (1-1234 from a campus phone).
There are many topics within American Life and Customs in the United States. Below are a few links and resources to get started.
Culture of the United States
Social Etiquette and Norms in the United States
Social norms are shared expectations about what kinds of behaviors are acceptable or not. Social norms are not actual rules because you cannot get in legal trouble for breaking them, however, breaking social norms can make people uncomfortable or it can hurt the social lives of those who do it.
- Examples of Social Norm Violations (Social Experience Blog)
- Etiquette in the UShttp://www.bbc.com/storyworks/specials/moving-to-america/americas-culture-and-customs.html
- Business Etiquette in the US
- Parent-Teacher Relationship for children in school (Oprah)
American History, Arts, and Culture
- USA.gov website
- Welcome to the United States: A guide for new immigrants to the United States in multiple languages. Some services and information are not available for non-immigrant visa types.
Workplace Etiquette
- Skills in Workplace Etiquette (Columbia University Center for Career Education)
- US Business Etiquette, Culture and Manners (Cyborlink)
- Common Idioms Used in Daily Communication (Max Schmitt)
Disclaimer: This page contains information and links outside of TU. TU makes no warranty, guarantee or representation to the accuracy of the information posted here nor the accuracy or compliance with applicable laws of sites external to the TU website. TU does not in any way endorse services or products promoted by sponsoring organizations or websites listed here. We encourage users to verify the legitimacy of information and organizations cited here. This information was borrowed from Oregon State University's website.
This information is provided as a guide only. International students, scholars and employees should seek professional guidance from the appropriate government agency, a qualified accountant or attorney to understand and meet specific tax obligations. Read more here.
FORM 8843 must be filed for U.S. Nonresident Aliens and Resident Aliens who DID NOT have U.S. Earnings/Income during the current Tax Year.
Anyone in J-1 status, even if you did not work or have taxable scholarships or other income in the U.S. during 2020 must submit form 8843, confirming the dates you were in the U.S. J-1 scholars can use the free Glacier Tax Prep software provided by Temple. In order to do so, please email your Name and TU ID Number to hrpaynra@temple.edu. Once we receive this information, we will forward you access to Glacier which includes Glacier Tax Prep. Once in the system, simply select the option that states “Complete my U.S. tax return using Glacier Tax Prep” and “No income earned in 2020”, you will be directed to print your completed 8843 and mailing instructions. Shelley Biagas or Elizabeth Gonzalez can be contacted by phone at 215-926-2244 or by email hrpaynra@temple.edu.
If You Have Received US Income...
U.S. income tax is collected by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS has a special set of regulations, tax forms and publications for international students, scholars and employees in the U.S. A copy of these regulations can be found in IRS publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens on the IRS website at www.irs.gov
Individuals determined to be a Nonresident alien for U.S. tax purposes pay federal income tax on the income received from U.S. sources. Resident aliens for tax purposes are generally taxed the same way as a U.S. Citizens and pay taxes on their worldwide income. The annual deadline to file the appropriate tax forms with the IRS is no later than April 15 of the following tax year.
All nonimmigrants (H-1B, J-1, E-3, TN, etc) can use Glacier Tax Prep (GTP) to determine if you are a U.S. Nonresident or Resident Alien for Tax Purposes. Glacier Tax Prep (GTP) is only for use by Nonresident Aliens. If GTP determines that you are a Resident Alien for Tax Purposes, you can use commercial tax preparation software like TurboTax or you can schedule an appointment with a qualified tax accountant or attorney. You will need your Accessnet User ID and password to access GTP. Contact Human Resources/Payroll Management if you need your User ID or password at 215-926-2244 (Internal Dial is 7-2244). Form 1098-T is applicable to Resident Aliens for Tax Purposes only. Please log in here.
The treatment of non-immigrant employment visa holders under the ACA is determined by their federal tax status – while still a "non-resident alien" for U.S. tax purposes, H1-B, TN, O-1 and E-3 holders are not obligated to maintain ACA coverage. Once they become a "resident alien," these visa holders then become subject to the ACA, just like a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Federal Taxes
For U.S. Nonresident Aliens (NRA) who received income during the current Tax Year, FORM 1040NR and 8843 must be filed.
Documents needed to complete the forms:
- W-2 - Wage and Tax Statement (Wages on which you DID NOT claim a tax treaty exemption)
- 1042-S (Wages or Salary on which you claimed a tax treaty exemption)
For U.S. Resident Aliens (RA) who received income during the current Tax Year, FORM 1040 or 1040EZ and 8843 must be filed.
Documents needed to complete the form:
- W-2- Wage and Tax Statement (Wages)
- 1099, 1098T, if applicable
State Taxes
Pennsylvania
U.S. Nonresident Aliens and Resident Aliens for Tax Purposes who reside in Pennsylvania and who did earn income during the current Tax Year are required to pay state income tax and must file a FORM PA-40 by April 15th of the next Tax Year.
New Jersey
For U.S. Nonresident Aliens and Resident Aliens who reside in New Jersey and who did earn income during the current Tax Year, FORM NJ-1040 must be filed by April 15th of the next Tax Year.
Documents needed to complete state forms:
- W-2 (Wages or Salary)
- 1099, if applicable
*Note, if you lived in another state during the tax year and you received income while living there, you will need to file a tax return for that state as long as that state has an income tax.
Local Tax
Should you need to file local taxes, you should receive a form from the tax collector assigned to the municipality in which you live. The City of Philadelphia does not require residents to file a personal income tax return.
Documents needed:
- W-2 (Wages or Salary)
*Note: you may apply wage tax paid to Philadelphia as a credit toward your local earned income tax liability.
Important Resources
HR Payroll Management: Shelley Biagas or Elizabeth Gonzalez (215)926-2244 hrpaynra@temple.edu
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) - 1(800)-829-1040
Pennsylvania Department of Revenue - 1(717)787-8201
New Jersey Department of Treasury - 1(800)323 -4400
Local Taxes in PA - 1(866)466-3972
City of Philadelphia - (215) 686-1776
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is a tax processing number issued by the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS issues ITINs to individuals who are required to have a U.S. taxpayer identification number but who do not have, and are not eligible to obtain, a Social Security number (SSN) from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
If you have a dependent who is ineligible for a social security number but needs a tax identification number, please review the information here.
Additional information may be available at the Philadelphia IRS Office [(215) 861-1225] which is located at 600 Arch St., Philadelphia, PA 19106. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Contact ISSS immediately if you have been arrested as there can be serious immigration consequences.
Click here for information on Visa Overstay and Unlawful Presence