2021 J-1 Exchange Visitor Handbook
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COMPASS 2021 J-1 Exchange Visitor Handbook Rev. 08/11/2021 Welcome to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, home of the UAB Blazers! It is a great time to be in Birmingham. The population of the city center is increasing thanks to exciting new living and dining options in areas such as Parkside, the Loft District, and Lakeview, and we are proud of beautiful new green spaces such as Railroad Park, Rotary Trail, and Red Mountain Park. In 2022, Birmingham will host the World Games. There is more to see and do in Birmingham than ever before, and our job at ISSS is to make sure that you have the time and peace of mind to enjoy every opportunity. UAB was instrumental in Birmingham’s urban renaissance and has helped the city transform from an industrial economy to one based largely on medical, legal, banking, and technical services. The international community plays a large and important role in the University’s continued success and in Birmingham’s international renown. We are glad to have you on campus! Our dedicated staff has decades of experience advising international students and scholars on tax, immigration, and cultural issues. Please do not hesitate to drop by the international center or contact us. MORE ABOUT ISSS International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) facilitates international exchange and understanding through multicultural programs and services. We are the principal administrative and advising office for all international students, scholars, staff, and clinical faculty. The role of ISSS is to expand and strengthen international ties between individuals and academic programs on campus and to encourage the exchange of ideas and information key to developing international awareness. Most importantly, ISSS advises individuals and academic departments on matters pertaining to federal rules and regulations affecting international scholars, including evaluating exchange program offer letters and funding, processing J-1 and H-1B immigration documentation, Welcome to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, home of the UAB Blazers! and providing orientation for newly-arrived scholars. It is a great time to be in Birmingham. The population of the city center is increasing thanks to exciting new All newliving international and dining optionsscholars in faceareas similar such as situationsParkside, the upon Loft theirDistrict, arrival, and Lakeview, including and finding we are accommodation proud of , makingbeautiful frien ds,new and green learning spaces wheresuch as thingsRailroad are. Park, This Rotary guide Trail, has andbeen Red prepared Mountain especially Park. In summer to help 2017, international the scholarsMaccabi adjust Games to comelife in to the Birmingham, US and contains and in information2021 Birmingham about will services, host the policies, World Games. and programs There is moreat UAB. to seePlease readand it carefully, do in Birmingham and let us than know ever if before, you have and questions. our job at ISSSWe lookis to makeforward sure to that working you have with the you! time and peace of mind to enjoy every opportunity. Catherine Crowe, JD | Director, DSO/ARO UAB was instrumental in Birmingham’s urban renaissance and has helped the city transform from an industrial P: 205.934.1252 | [email protected] economy to one based largely on medical, legal, banking, and technical services. The international community Justin playsLampley, a large MA | Associateand important Director role for International in the University’s cTracyontinued Maxwell, success BA | Immigration and in Birmingham’s Advisor F-1, DSO international Student Services, PDSO/ARO renown. We are glad to have you on campus! P: 205.934.3328 | [email protected] P: 205.934.8046 | [email protected] Our dedicated staff has decades of experience advising international students and scholars on tax, Alyetteimmigration, Nixon, JD and| Assistant cultural Director issues. for InternationalPlease do not Scholar hesitate Molly to dro Stout,p by MA the | Immigration international Advisor center J-1, RO, or ECFMGcontact® TPL us at any Services, ECFMG® TPL time.P: 205.9 34.1528 | [email protected] P: 205.761.3963 | [email protected] Zoe Guy | Associate Director for International Employment Kamonrat (Aston) Manotai, MPA | Non-Resident Tax Specialist Services P: 205.975.0262 | [email protected] P: 205.934.8067 | [email protected] TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................................................................................................................................... 2 BRIEF ALABAMA OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................. 4 TIME, TEMPERATURE, & WEATHER .................................................................................................................. 4 LOCAL AND REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION........................................................................................................ 4 GETTING AROUND ............................................................................................................................................ 5 BY CAR ........................................................................................................................................................................ 5 APPLYING FOR AN ALABAMA DRIVER LICENSE ........................................................................................................................... 5 BUYING A CAR........................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Auto Insurance ......................................................................................................................................................................... 9 BY BICYCLE .................................................................................................................................................................. 9 FINDING ACCOMMODATIONS......................................................................................................................... 11 DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS IN BIRMINGHAM ........................................................................................................13 TIPS FOR FINDING A ROOMMATE ..............................................................................................................................13 RENTER’S INSURANCE ................................................................................................................................................15 BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL SYSTEM ...................................................................................................................... 15 Employment Opportunities FOR j-2 spouses ................................................................................................... 16 ITIN OR SSN? ................................................................................................................................................... 16 TAXES .............................................................................................................................................................. 17 IMMIGRATION MATTERS ................................................................................................................................ 17 Important Documents ................................................................................................................................................17 Maintaining Valid Non-Immigrant Status ...................................................................................................................19 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL and visa renewal..................................................................................................... 20 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ............................................................................................................................................20 RENEWING YOUR VISA ...............................................................................................................................................20 HEALTH ........................................................................................................................................................... 21 IMMUNIZATIONS .......................................................................................................................................................21 HEALTH INSURANCE ...................................................................................................................................................21 PHARMACIES ................................................................................................................................................... 21 LAUNDROMATS .............................................................................................................................................. 22 BANKS ............................................................................................................................................................. 22 2 FOOD ............................................................................................................................................................... 23 RELIGION ......................................................................................................................................................... 27 MEDIA ............................................................................................................................................................