UCAR International Visitor & Scholar ServicesADDITIONAL HELPFUL INFORMATION UCAR's Library Community Information Centers Academic Credentials Evaluations Banking (includes Exchanging Foreign Currency, Transferring Funds From Abroad) Department of State Frequently Asked Questions/Visas Driver's License/Automobile Insurance International English Center, CU Continuing Education Office UCAR's Library Community Information Centers Both the Mesa Lab and Foothills Lab libraries provide community information centers where staff can find resources on a variety of topics, including Colorado driver's licenses, motor vehicle registration, passport services, tax information, car buying news, and voter registration. In addition, they have brochures on local attractions, recreational and cultural opportunities, local transportation, and maps. They library welcomes your suggestions for additional types of information. Please email ncarref@ucar.edu or call the library at ext. 8505. Academic Credentials Evaluations Sometimes academic/educational credentials evaluations are required by the USCIS, or by other institutions for a variety of reasons. Many companies offer these evaluations, and can be found by searching the Internet. Several non-profit companies that offer these services include:
UCAR does not specifically endorse these nor any other academic/educational credentials evaluators. In the United States it is easier and safer to use checks and credit cards rather than using cash. We advise you not to carry large amounts of cash with you. The best option is to open an account at a local bank or credit union. This way you can take money out of the account whenever you need it. UCAR has its business account in Boulder with Chase (formerly Bank One). You can cash per diem or payroll checks without opening an account at this bank. Click here to find a branch location. The Elevations Credit Union (formerly CU Credit Union) located at 2960 Diagonal Highway in Boulder may also cash checks for you without opening an account. The Elevations Credit Union phone number is 303-443-4672. You can check your local phone directory for listings of other banks or credit unions near your home or work. Most banks are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; some also have Saturday morning hours. There are several kinds of bank accounts, however, two main types are checking accounts and savings accounts. Checking accounts allow you to write checks while savings accounts give you a place to keep your money and earn some interest on it. Some checking accounts also pay interest. When you open an account, you may be offered a "cash machine" or "debit card." These cards can be used at automated teller machines (ATMs) which allow you to get money out of your account(s) at any hour of the day or night. You can also have your paychecks directly deposited into your account. Please contact the UCAR payroll department for more information. Please note that banks are not able to open accounts unless the person appears in person at the bank with two forms of photo identification.The bank may be able to prepare the paperwork in advance, and then when the visitor arrives he/she can complete the process in person and have his/her funds transferred from the foreign bank to the local one. In addition to full service banks, you can check the local phone directory under "foreign currency exchange" to get information on currency exchange locations and rates. Transferring Funds from Abroad Some banks/credit unions will hold transferred funds for a few weeks before they become available for withdrawal. It would be beneficial if you had a credit card or brought enough cash or Traveler's checks to cover the first month expenses upon your arrival. Full service banks/credit unions with international banking capabilities sell international money orders and receive deposits from foreign banks directly. The best way to transfer funds from the country of origin to the USA is by electronic wire transfer directly from bank-to-bank. This method generally allows immediate credit and use of the money. Please contact a local bank/credit union for further information. Driver's License/Automobile Insurance Foreign visitors can drive in the United States on an International Driving Permit (sometimes known as an International Driver's License). However, if you will be in the United States for a significant length of time, such as a least a year, you are encouraged to get a driver's license in the state in which you are residing. For more information on the International Driving Permit, please see the U.S. Government's websites: http://www.firstgov.gov/Topics/Foreign_Visitors_Driving.shtml and http://ntl.bts.gov/faq/intdl.html. Please be sure to note the warning about fraudulent licenses. A Driver's License is quite important in the United States, not only to drive a car and understand the rules required, but also because it is widely used as a photo ID. You do not need a Colorado driver's license to buy, insure or drive a car (as long as you have the above International Driving Permit from your home country). However, automobile insurance is considerably cheaper if you have a local driver's license. You can check with a local directory to find the nearest State Motor Vehicle office. In Boulder, the office is located at 2850 Iris Ave, Boulder (303-442-3006). A driver's license costs about $16 and it is reasonably simple to get. You must bring your passport and your visa. If you are on a J visa, you must also bring your DS-2019 and a letter from the Foreign Visitor Administrator verifying your UCAR appointment. You do not need to bring a photo. Please visit Identification for Driver's Licenses for more information on documents you might bring. Colorado Dept. of Motor Vehicles (DMV) now requires all applicants for a driver's license or a state ID to have a Social Security Number. If the applicant doesn't have a Social Security Number, he/she must have a letter from the Social Security Administration stating that a Social Security Number was never issued to him/her. This means that those without a Social Security Number will still have to visit the Social Security Administration office to get a letter saying they have never issued them a social security number. For foreigners the exam consists of both a written and a driving test. You can get a free brochure from any State Motor Vehicle Office or you can download the brochure at: http://www.mv.state.co.us/driverforms.html. The booklet explains all you have to know for the exam. You may retake the test if you do not pass the first time. After you passed the written exam you will have a short driving test with an official from the Driver's License Office. For this test you have to bring a car. You must bring the registration and insurance paperwork for the car. The car does not have to be yours, however, you should be familiar with the vehicle prior to taking the driving test. The official will check to ensure that the car meets minimum standards for road use, such as functioning turn signals and brake lights. The ID or license will be issued to be valid until the visa document presented by you (DS-2019, H-1B Visa) expires. If you are on a J fewer than three years and you extend your J, you will have to get a new license when you extend your DS-2019 and get a new document. Automobile insurance is mandatory in Colorado, and the Colorado Motor Vehicle Department will require proof of insurance before you can register a vehicle. You can check local phone directories for automobile insurance carriers nearest you. The insurance agent you choose, your age, where you reside, the driving distance to work, your driving record, the make and model of your vehicle and the type of coverage you want will all impact your insurance premium amount. You are encouraged to shop around and get quotes from a number of insurance agencies. There is also a great deal of information on the web that you may want to research as well. The UCAR/NCAR Communicating Science ESL group welcomes queries from and participation by scientific visitors. Our mission is to help scientific staff for whom English is a second language to become world-class communicators, orally and in writing. We are interested in increasing collaboration opportunities and enhancing cultural awareness. If you are in Boulder, you are welcome to attend our writing and conversation clinics and informal gatherings. Visit our website to view resources and current calendar listings. We look forward to hearing from you! There are a number of programs and resources available in most areas of the country that provide English as a Second Language (ESL) and English writing programs. Local high schools, colleges, universities and community school programs provide a wide range of programs at low cost. Please check the local phone directory for schools in your area. In the Boulder area, you can contact The Boulder Valley School District or the University of Colorado-Boulder (or see below). There are also a number of private sector schools, such as Doorways English School for International Women. Additionally, on-line English as a Second Language information can be found at: http://www.pacificnet.net/~sperling/eslcafe.html, among other sites. UCAR does not specifically endorse these or any other ESL schools or training programs. International English Center, CU Continuing Education Office This center provides intensive full-day programs and evening classes in English as a second language. For more information call: 303-492-5547; or go to www.colorado.edu/iec, ieccu@colorado.edu. There are many ways to find resources for legal assistance. You can check the telephone directories as well as perform a search online for specialists in every aspect of the law. If you are a UCAR employee, you may also access UCAR's Employee Assistance Plan (EAP). The EAP can provide you with referrals to lawyers in all subjects, including immigration law. While you must be a UCAR employee, or a family member of a UCAR employee, you do not have to be enrolled in a UCAR healthcare plan in order to use this service. For more information, please visit UCAR's Employee Assistance Plan webpage. Please note, services are available in many languages, including assistance for the hearing-impaired. Local Chamber of Commerce centers, web sites, newspapers and phone directories provide a wealth of information on local and regional recreational activities and resources. Click here to view additional sites that may be of interest during your visit or move to Boulder, Colorado. You can find information on local schools and dependent care resources in your local telephone directory. The UCAR Benefits Office can also provide additional assistance with dependent care information for the Denver/Metro/Boulder area. You can contact the Benefits Office at 303-497-8710 for information. You can get additional information on school districts in the Denver/Metro/Boulder area by contacting the Colorado Department of Education. Most major cities have some type of mass transit available. This includes buses, trains, shuttles, subways, etc. You can check your local telephone directory for more information. In Boulder, there are a number of transportation options available. Click here to access the UCAR Transportation Services site for information on the UCAR shuttle service. The Regional Transportation Department (RTD) provides bus and light rail service in the Denver/Metro area. Click here to access RTD information. Click here for information on transportation to and from the Denver International Airport. UCAR Human Resources Home page UCAR Housing and Relocation Information UCAR Policies & Procedures Manual Driving directions to Boulder from Denver International Airport Detailed map of our Boulder locations January 2004 |
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DISCLAIMER: U.S. immigration laws are very complex. The information contained in these files is designed specifically as assistance for visitors and scholars at UCAR/NCAR/UOP. Immigration laws are constantly changing, and even though we will attempt to keep these files up to date, we cannot guarantee their completeness or accuracy. The information contained herein is not intended to create an attorney/client relationship nor can it be construed as legal advice. For further information, please contact the UCAR Immigration Specialist or an immigration attorney. Other individuals not affiliated with UCAR/NCAR/UOP should seek assistance from immigration specialists. You may consider consulting with an attorney who belongs to the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). |
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