Before You Come to Caltech

Important Documents to Bring

There are several documents you will need to bring to ensure a smooth transition to Caltech.  Click on the following links for an explanation of the documents required.

Translated Certificates | Education | Health | Driving | Taxes | Credit History

Translated Certificates
The following documents should be translated before arrival to the US:

Education
Your appointment as a Postdoctoral Scholar is contingent upon your successful completion of all the requirements for your doctorate (including final approval and acceptance of your thesis) and providing us with written evidence of this completion from the Dean of the Graduate School of your university.  However, if this requirement cannot be met prior to your arrival at Caltech, you may (with prior approval of your faculty sponsor) be hired into a temporary position for a period not to exceed 90 days

If you are receiving money from an external source, you must provide proof of your PhD upon your arrival.

Will your spouse be working or going to school in the United States?   If so, translated and certified transcripts or diplomas are sometimes necessary, depending on the position or school. Letters of references from the previous employers may be a big help in looking for a job or acceptance into a school. For those who plan to pursue their education in US, it’s necessary to show all your grades of your most relevant diplomas. You also might have to take others tests like the Gmat (Graduate Management Admission Test), the Toefl (Test of English as Second Language) or the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) to pursue your studies here. You can start practicing these tests from your home country and even take them before moving. Gmat, Toefl and GRE books are available for use on site at the Career Development Center at Caltech. These books offer many samples and practice tests. For more details:

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)

There are certain visas that do not allow spouses to work. For further information, please contact the International Scholar Services

Health
We strongly suggest that you bring, for each member of your family, the following documents:

If you are taking prescription drugs for a medical condition, remember to bring a one month supply of your drugs.

If you have to see a doctor in US, you will need to make an appointment to go in person to his /her office. Unfortunately, US doctors do not come to your homes as is the practice in other countries. If you are severely sick or injured, call 911 to be transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital. From Caltech, the nearest is Huntington Memory Hospital.

Do you have children?  Day care centers and schools in the US require a child's immunization record before admission. We suggest you have each child's vaccination record translated before you move to the US. If you don’t have one, you can get the required immunizations upon arrival in the US with your new pediatrician.  Another requirement for entry into a US school is a Tuberculosis test (TB test).  This test shows proof of absence of the disease.  Since the Tuberculosis immunization is mandatory in some countries, you must tell your US pediatrician if your child has received the Tuberculosis vaccination because the TB test will always have a positive result.

Click here to see the Immunization Chart in California and US.

Glossary
Polio: same                                                                   DtaP: Diphtheria, Tetanus
HIB: Haemophilus Influenza                                            Hepatitis B: same
MMR: Measles, Mumps, Rubella                                     Chicken Pox (or Varicella)
Hepatitis A: same                                                          Pneumococcal: same

Driving
In order to drive in the US, an international driver’s license (which is valid for 10 days) is necessary before you obtain a California driver’s license. 

To save 20% and up on your liability insurance, contact your current insurance company for a translated affidavit of your good driving record the last three years. See the Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) and the Automobile Insurance sections for more information.

Taxes
We suggest you contact your local tax office to let them know that you are leaving your country. Before your departure, find out the proper procedure for setting your tax provisions.

Regarding the taxes you will pay in the US will depend on the length of your stay, what country you are from, and what visa you are arriving on.  See the Tax Consideration section for more information.

Credit History
Some international scholars may be interested in acquiring a credit card to make important purchases when necessary. These credit cards are useful since you can charge purchases with them and there is a four-week period in which to pay your bill (after which exorbitant interests rates are levied). While it is relatively easy for a US fellow to get a credit card, it may be difficult for a foreign national to establish credit with a US bank due to the lack of credit history in the US. We suggest that you request a “credit record” from your bank in your home country. Your credit history may help you secure a loan or obtain a credit card in the US.
See the Banking section for more information.

If you need more information regarding the Important Documents to Bring, please contact Barbara Avouac.