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Contact by Law Enforcement/Gov./Attorney
If you are contacted by State or Federal Government Agencies or Authorities, or a private attorney, please review this information from the Office of Legal Affairs.
Resources on Immigration Issues
Scam & Fraud Awareness
Check out the following post to learn about scams and fraud that could impact you and how you can avoid them.
Driver's License
To apply for a drivers license please visit the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In Madison, we recommend you visit the new Madison Southwest DMV location at 2344 South Park Street.
Please note: If you are in the U.S. for less than a year and you have a valid driver’s license issued by a country that signed either the 1943 regulation of inter-American automotive traffic or the 1949 Geneva Convention on road traffic, you may drive legally with that license. If you are in the U.S. for longer or do not have a valid operator’s license issued by a country referenced above, you may consider applying for a Wisconsin driver’s license.
UW Campus Bus
Madison Area Events
While you are here in Madison please take time to explore the local culture and plethora of events that this community and the greater Wisconsin area has to offer. Here are some helpful links to locate areas and events of interest:
- Greater Madison convention and Visitors Bureau
- The Isthmus calendar of events
- City of Madison – Visit and Play
- Travel Wisconsin
Safety Resources
UW Campus Police Department
- Street address: 1429 Monroe St
- Non-emergency number: (608)264-2677
- For life threatening or immediate emergencies call 911
Madison Police Department
- Street Address: 211 S. Carol St
- Non-emergency number: (608)255-2345
- For life threatening or immediate emergencies call 911
Madison Fire Department
- For life threatening or immediate emergencies call 911
Tenant Resources
If you are renting an apartment or room in Madison you have certain legal rights as a tenant. Please refer here for more information.
Health Insurance
Social Security Numbers
A Social Security Number (SSN) is only assigned to people who are authorized to work in the United States. Work is defined as employment for pay. If you will have paid employment in your sponsoring UW–Madison department you must apply for an SSN. If you have a zero dollar or unpaid appointment you will not be able to apply for an SSN.
You may apply for the SSN at the Social Security Administration Building at 6011 Odana Road in Madison, WI. Please wait to apply for the SSN until at least 30 days have passed from the day you registered as a new scholar with IFSS. IFSS must activate your J-1 program in SEVIS before you can apply.
Bring the following documents to apply:
- Passport
- I-94
- DS-2019
- Appointment offer letter from your UW department
Many private service providers in the U.S. (mobile phone and cable companies) will ask for SSNs when you apply for their services. Legally, no company can require you to provide them with a SSN. If you are not eligible for an SSN, you may need to explain to the company that you are in a non-immigrant status in the U.S. and are not eligible for an SSN.
Glacier and International Tax
Anyone receiving taxable income from a U.S. source must file taxes each year. If you have a paid appointment in your UW–Madison department, you are required to have a GLACIER account and file taxes for the duration of your paid appointment. IFSS does not process or advise on taxation so please refer to the GLACIER team if you have questions.
Glacier
All foreign national employees being paid or receiving funds through UW-Madison payroll must create and maintain a GLACIER individual record for payroll and taxation purposes. This includes Resident Aliens and Non Resident Aliens for tax purposes. If you are required to have a GLACIER account, it will be automatically created for you when your information is entered in the UW payroll system by your department. The log in information will be sent to you in two emails. If you do not receive these emails and you believe you should have an account, please contact the GLACIER team at glacier@ohr.wisc.edu.
Taxes
Built into the GLACIER system is tax preparation software. This software can assist you with filing your annual U.S. taxes. Filing taxes is requirement in the U.S. Using the GLACIER prep software is not required. If you choose to file your taxes without the prep software, you can file your taxes on your own or hire a company to file them for you. For more information on taxes for foreign nationals in the U.S., please visit tax filing resources on the OHR webpage.
J-1 Federal Resources and Links
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
- 101(a)(15)(J)
U.S. Department of State – Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM)
- 9 FAM 402.5 (U) STUDENTS AND EXCHANGE VISITORS – F, M, AND J VISAS
- 9 FAM 302.13-2 (U) FORMER EXCHANGE VISITORS – INA 212(E) – 2 Year Home Residency Requirement
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) – Policy Manual
H-1B Federal Resources and Links
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA)
- H-1B nonimmigrant defined – INA 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b); [8 USC 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b)]
- Specialty Occupation defined – INA 214(i); 8 USC 1184(i)
- H-1B LCA requirement – INA 212(n); [8 USC 1182(n)]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) – Policy Manual
U.S. Department of State – Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM)
U.S. Department of Labor
H-4 Dependents:
- Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): 8 CFR 214.2(h)(9)(iv)
- Immigration and Nationality Act (INA): INA 101(a)(H)
- Policy: USCIS Adjudicator’s Field Manual AFM 31.9
- Policy: USCIS Adjudicator’s Field Manual AFM 31.2(d)(2)
- Policy: 9 FAM 402.10-14 – Spouses and Children of H Nonimmigrants
PR Federal Resources and Links
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) – Policy Manual