Onboarding & Immigration

Prior to your arrival, you should have received an e-mail from Human Resources with paperwork to complete and a link to schedule your Onboarding meeting, which occurs prior to Orientation.

American Citizens/ Green Card Holders

Onboarding Location

Olin Hall                 

445 E. 69th St., Room 223 (2nd floor)                 
NW corner of 69th St. and York Ave.                 
Across the street from the Graduate School (1300 York Ave.)
Please bring:
  • State- or federal-issued ID and proof of eligibility to work in the US (refer to the I-9 form provided by HR for documentation guidelines)
  • Completed pre-arrival paperwork
  • A voided check in order to set up direct deposit

 You will receive:

  • A medical screening appointment date
  • A form that will allow you to receive your Employee ID
  • Department Orientation and Compliance Checklist

Foreign Nationals

Onboarding Location

The location of the meeting will be noted in your scheduling e-mail from the HR Immigration Office. Immigration will help you complete your visa requirements and assist you with your Onboarding paperwork.

 Please bring:

  • Passport, DS-2019 form (if you have a J-1 visa) and pre-arrival materials which you received
  • Proof of health insurance coverage if you will not be paid by Weill Cornell Medicine (you can obtain employee health coverage for you and your dependents if you are being paid by Weill Cornell Medicine)
  • Any other documents requested by the Immigration Office

 You will receive:

  • A medical screening appointment date
  • A form that will allow you to receive your Employee ID
  • Department Orientation and Compliance Checklist

 

Obtaining a Social Security Number

A Social Security Number (SSN) is used by employers and employees for tax-reporting purposes only. The employer needs to withhold taxes on your earnings using your unique number, and you need your social security number when you file a tax return.

An SSN is not a work permit. You do not need an SSN to open a bank account, rent an apartment, start a mobile phone contract, or get a credit card. You do not need an SSN if you already have one from a previous time in the United States. Your SSN is yours for life.

You will receive paperwork from the Immigration Office to take to the Social Security Office. In addition, you will need the following:

Go to the Manhattan Social Security Card Center and bring all your documents:

123 William St.

(between Fulton and John Streets)

New York, NY 10038

You should receive your SSN in the mail within two weeks. After you receive your SSN, we advise you not to carry the Social Security Card with you, but to memorize the number or make a note of it elsewhere and put the card in a safe place with your other important documents. We all need to be careful to avoid identity theft.