For J-1 Exchange Visitors

The U.S. government regulations which govern Exchange Visitor Programs in the United States are very clear about employment outside of the program for which J-1 status was obtained. It is forbidden. To quote the regulations, " An exchange visitor may receive compensation from the sponsor or the sponsor’s appropriate designee for employment."

Moonlighting

when such activities are part of the exchange visitor’s program. An exchange visitor who engages in unauthorized employment shall be deemed to be in violation of his or her program status and is subject to termination as a participant in an exchange visitor program." For physicians in residency training programs, this means that moonlighting in urgent care clinics, private practice offices or emergency rooms is forbidden unless needed to meet the educational requirements for board certification in the specialty in which the physician is training.

For researchers, this means that moonlighting in laboratories outside of your own either at the Cleveland Clinic or elsewhere is not permitted. Any additional work needed for your specific projects should be completed in the form of overtime. Medical Benefits and Medical Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains Insurance

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation will provide medical and accident insurance to you as part of your employee benefits package. However, the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations governing Exchange Visitor Programs requires that all Exchange Visitor Program sponsors verify that all exchange visitors and their dependents obtain repatriation of remains and medical evacuation insurance. If you are a physician in a graduate medical education program, ECFMG will provide medical evacuation and repatriation of remains insurance for you, the cost is included in the administrative fee you pay with your application.

If you are a research fellow, you are responsible for obtaining this insurance. You may purchase the insurance through an organization in your home country or you may purchase it when you arrive in the United States.

If you decide to purchase the insurance before you leave your country, you must be sure that the policy meets the following requirements: medical evacuation coverage in the amount of $10,000 and repatriation of remains insurance in the amount of $7,500. If you wish to purchase the insurance when you arrive, information will be provided to you at that time.

Social Security

Social Security refers to the program administered by the U.S. government by which a certain amount of money his withheld from your paycheck and held for your retirement. Each person either at birth or upon reaching working age, applies for and receives a Social Security number from the Social Security Administration. This number is used by most government agencies and some private agencies as a means of identification. All employees of the Cleveland Clinic must have a Social Security number to receive a salary and/or benefits.

Exchange Visitors are generally exempt from paying Social Security tax until they meet the requirements as a "resident for tax purposes". J-1 researchers generally become a resident for tax purposes after 2 years. At that point, they will be subject to paying Social Security tax. All H-1B temporary workers are subject to Social Security tax.

In most cases, you will need a Social Security number to open a bank account, buy or lease a car, lease an apartment or open a credit card account. You should obtain the Social Security number upon arrival in Cleveland (you cannot obtain one in your country or by mail). You will need to show your passport, Form I-94 and Form IAP-66 or Form I-797.

Dependents (J-2 or H-4) are not eligible to receive a Social Security number because they do not have employment authorization. Once a J-2 dependent obtains employment authorization, he/she may apply for a Social Security number.

An H-4 dependent is never eligible for employment or a Social Security number. However, for banking purposes, they may apply for a tax identification number from the Internal Revenue Service.

U.S. Income Tax

Generally speaking, non-U.S. citizens and permanent residents are responsible for paying taxes on income earned from a U.S. source. When you begin your position at the Cleveland Clinic, if you are receiving a salary, you will be required to complete income tax withholding forms. These forms will dictate the amount of tax deducted from your paycheck. The amount may vary according to the number of dependents you have. Please note that CCF is not legally permitted to give tax advice to employees. This information must be obtained from a tax professional or from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS, the agency of the U.S. government charged with collecting income taxes). You may also obtain information from the U.S. Embassy in your country as there exists a number of treaties with foreign countries regarding the withholding of income tax. You may visit the IRS on the Internet at www.irs.ustreas.gov.

With regard to social security tax and medicare tax, J-1 exchange visitors generally do not have to pay them for the first two years in the United States. The Graduate Medical Education Department will notify the Payroll Department of these individuals and instruct them accordingly. If these taxes are deducted from your check accidentally, you will be reimbursed. Please bring it to the attention of the Graduate Medical Education Department so the Payroll Department may be informed.

Housing Information

There are several housing services in the Greater Cleveland area. There are also Apartment Guides available in the Graduate Medical Education Department. If you wish to have one sent to you, please contact the Graduate Medical Education Department.

Apartments in the Cleveland area range in price from $350 per month (studio apartments) to $1200 per month (3 bedroom condominium style apartments). In some cases, rent includes all utilities or some utilities. In most cases, only water is included in the cost of rent. If you rent an entire house, your rent may be higher and you will be responsible for paying all utilities. You will be required to sign a lease for at least a 6 month period but usually for as long as one year. If you are not going to be in Cleveland for an entire year, you should verify with the apartment manager that a shorter lease term is available.

If you sign a one year lease, you are responsible for the rent for the entire year. If you leave the apartment before the lease term is up, you may be responsible for rent money covering the remainder of the lease. When you sign a lease, you will most likely be asked for a deposit, usually two month’s rent. Large apartment complexes often have special offers wherein they offer reduced deposit or no deposit to new tenants.If you do not wish to buy furniture, there are many reputable companies in the Cleveland area which rent furniture.