If you will require a visa you should discuss the different visa options with your principal investigator (PI) and provide him or her with all pertinent documentation needed to begin the visa process. The Office of International Services (OIS) is responsible for providing assistance on immigration matters and for acting as a link with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and the Department of State.
You will be required to complete the onboarding process which includes education and employment verification, an independently conducted criminal background investigation, drug screening and authorization to work pursuant to the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 ("IRCA").
Once your arrival date at Einstein is established, you'll want to prepare for the weather conditions accordingly. New York winters are quite cold and require a warm coat or jacket, gloves and scarf, and it is helpful to have a sturdy pair of walking shoes; summers are quite warm and humid.
Try to be realistic in determining how much money you will need to bring with you to provide support while you are waiting to receive your first paycheck, which takes approximately four to six weeks. You will need cash for food, housing and basic necessities. You also may need to figure in carfare and entertainment (movies,dining out, etc.). A fair estimate would be $2,000 for that period.