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Pre-Arrival Information for JPL TN Scholars
Welcome!
Congratulations on your appointment at JPL. This page is intended for TN scholars who have received their TN employment letter. Please refer to the steps below for information on how to apply for a TN admission (Canadians) or TN visa (Mexicans), enter the United States, and check-in with the JPL International Office (JPL IO).
We recommend that you review the following pages on our website to prepare for your travel to the United States.
Travel Guidance. Updated frequently to include the most up to date travel guidance.
Getting Settled. Anticipate once you have arrived in the United States.
Understand your insurance options. We recommend that you obtain short-term health insurance coverage from your date of departure from your home country until your JPL health insurance plan coverage starts. If your JPL start date is not on the first of the month, carefully review the coverage start dates.
Since Canadians do not need a U.S. visa to enter the United States, Canadian citizens may apply for TN admission directly at the airport or port of entry. Customs and Border Protection provides a list of designated ports of entry, with their hours of operation. Expect to pay a $50 USD processing fee per applicant. Carry with you the necessary documents to prove your TN eligibility:
Evidence of Canadian citizenship
Original diploma or transcript (with English translation, if necessary)
C.V. or resume
Letter of support from JPL (sent from the JPL IO)
$50 application fee
Visa Fees. You are responsible for paying the various fees required to obtain your visa.
MRV Fee - Visa fee - required for each visa, including separate fees for each dependent
Visa Issuance Fee/Reciprocity Fee - Varies based on country, visa classification, and validity duration - required for each visa, including separate fees for each dependent
Form DS-160. In order to apply for a U.S. visa and to schedule your visa application appointment, you will be required to complete Form DS-160. We cannot provide assistance for completing the DS-160 since it is a personal form. Simply answer truthfully and to the best of your ability. If the DS-160 prompts you to include two contacts in the United States, you may use International Scholar Services and your Caltech host.
JPLIO address: 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109. Phone: 818-354-2120. Contact name: Catherine Shock
Enter your JPL supervisor as your second contact, if needed.
Visa appointment. Schedule your TN visa application appointment and any TD dependent visa(s) applications at your nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy. Keep us and your recruiter informed of any delays in your visa application or change in your arrival date. You may enter the United States up to 10 days before your TN start date, or any time afterwards.
Do not schedule your travel or purchase flight tickets until your TN visa has been issued.
Mexicans will present their TN visa. Canadians will proceed to admission, once their TN is approved.
Carry important documents in hand-luggage, including your TN application documents
Expect to be fingerprinted and photographed
Inspect your passport stamp, if you receive one. CBP is phasing out passport stamps upon entry. If you receive one, it it should state "TN" and the end date of your TN employment letter. TD dependent passports should be stamped with "TD" and the same end date.
