An J-1 scholar must wait two full weeks from the date of entry into the United States before applying for a Social Security card at the Social Security office in Columbia. Applications submitted earlier than two weeks after the arrival date will be subject to additional delays of six weeks to three months and increase the time it takes for a scholar to receive a Social Security number (SSN).
The hosting MU department does not need an SSN to begin employing an international scholar. Any departmental questions regarding this administrative process should be referred to the International Center.
J-1 scholars must submit the following documents at the local Social Security Office when applying for a Social Security card:
Any department paying wages to an international student/scholar as an employee should use the standard PeopleSoft Personnel Action Form (UM 270) along with all other standard hiring forms.
If a department is not paying wages but the international student/scholar must be recognized as a "courtesy appointment" with all the privileges inherent with possessing the university ID, the PeopleSoft PAF for Courtesy Appointments and Volunteers must be used. The Social Security number (SSN) is not a required field for this form, but the field should be filled in if the hire has an official SSN. No temporary SSN will be provided. If the individual is not being paid, no other forms need to be processed with this PAF.
Once the courtesy appointment PAF has been processed, the international student or scholar is assigned an eight-digit employee identification number (EmplID) and a one-digit employee record number. He or she must take a copy of the courtesy appointment PAF, (with either an EmplID/employee record number or an official SSN) to the MU ID Office, which will create the ID. The ID Office will not be able to create an ID unless at least one set of these numbers is on the PAF.
Note: the ID process may change as the result of ongoing Peoplesoft implementations. Call the ID Office at 573-882-1871 to verify the process.
The process of obtaining a key for a visiting international scholar employed by MU follows the standard procedure for all new hires. Any courtesy appointment may receive keys only from the MU employee who has requested them. The MU employee must make the request to the building coordinator, who will then procure the keys from the Campus Facilities Key Shop. The MU employee will then lend the key to the visiting scholar to use during his or her stay. The MU employee to whom the key was issued will be responsible for the key's use and must return the key to the building coordinator upon the scholar's departure. All requests for keys to be used by visiting scholars must be submitted to the department's building coordinator.
After a courtesy appointment PAF has been submitted, an employee ID number (EmplID) has been issued and the scholar has obtained an employee ID card, the scholar must take the card and a letter from the department to the library. The letter must spell out information about the scholar's program and confirm that the department is willing to take full financial responsibility for any materials the scholar uses while at MU. It also should list any limitations to the privileges being granted to avoid possible misunderstanding by the scholar.
To simplify this process, the International Center provides a form letter approved by the library. Please use this form letter when creating the department letter.
In order for a scholar to obtain a drivers license in Missouri, the scholar must take a written and a driving test. A representative of the scholar's department will need to produce a letter showing proof of employment (sample letter). It is not necessary for the scholar to receive any financial compensation from MU to be considered "employed" as far as the Division of Motor Vehicles is concerned.
When applying for the driver license, J-1 scholars must submit the following documentation:
More information about obtaining a driver's license.
Visiting scholars and their departments can get assistance with non-resident alien tax issues from a full-time staff member in the Cashiers Office.
MU Human Resource Services provides I-9 form information and assistance.
