Information for WHOI Sponsors

This checklist offers suggestions and resources available to department sponsors for use in welcoming international visitors to the Institution and integrating them into the Woods Hole/Falmouth community.

Pre-arrival

• Verify that the exchange visitor possesses the financial support and that these resources are sufficient to complete his/her program and support any accompanying dependents for the duration of the program. (J-1 visa holders)
  
  

• Ensure that the exchange visitor has appropriate academic credentials for their category and for their position. (J-1 visa holders)
  
  
• Determine that the exchange visitor possesses sufficient English language proficiency for the proposed program activity. (J-1 visa holders)
  
  
• Coordinate housing needs with Housing Office.
  

Visitor's Transportation to WHOI

• Verify and arrange transportation for visitor from U.S. port of entry to WHOI. If visitor has made transportation arrangements to Woods Hole/Falmouth on his/her own, supply visitor with appropriate maps, telephone numbers, bus schedules, car rental or limousine information.

• Transport visitor to housing; determine that visitor has financial support for first few days, knowledge of how to secure food, short-term transportation to/from WHOI. If arrival is to occur in off-hours, provide visitor with contingency information on phone numbers of sponsors, as well as when it is appropriate to call, etc.
  
  
• Advise exchange visitor to contact Foreign National Office for check-in within three days of arrival/hire.
  
  
• Arrange transportation to the Social Security Administration Office to apply for Social Security Card, if necessary. Due to increase processing times at the Social Security Administration, this should be done as soon as possible after arrival.
  
  
• Provide general tour of WHOI; include maps of campus' and shuttle bus schedule.