All international postdoctoral scholars should contact ISSS upon arrival on campus. ISSS provides guidance on required steps and offers practical resources, including the Your First Days at Brown checklist.

If your visa is sponsored by another institution, OUPA still strongly encourages you to connect with ISSS. Scholars who are not under ISSS sponsorship are typically contacted by ISSS by email in the month following completion of their I-9 form and asked to submit required documentation. You may also proactively submit documentation or ask questions by contacting Benjamin Kemp, Administrative and International Scholar Coordinator, at benjamin_kemp@brown.edu.

International postdoctoral scholars should check in with their department administrator and complete the onboarding steps for new hires outlined by University Human Resources (UHR). These steps include completing employment paperwork, obtaining a Brown ID, and enrolling in direct deposit.

Upon request, ISSS will meet with a Postdoctoral Fellow or Postdoctoral Research Associate, together with their supervisor, to review visa status and the Brown-approved sponsored visa type, including eligibility considerations and legal requirements.

The University will make its best efforts to complete work authorization documentation and visa paperwork in a timely manner. Postdoctoral Fellows or Postdoctoral Research Associates may contact ISSS at ISSS@brown.edu for questions concerning visa processing.

Please note, if you are a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (also known as a Postdoctoral Fellow whose stipend is paid directly by an external grant or fellowship and therefore not processed through the University payroll system)—and thus not part of the BPLO bargaining unit—the preceding information does not apply.

For additional details, see Article 6: International Employees of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Postdoctoral Research Associates and Postdoctoral Fellows in the BPLO bargaining unit may request a reasonable amount of time off to attend required visa and immigration proceedings for themselves or for a spouse or child(ren). This time off may be used for travel required to maintain visa status for the Brown postdoctoral appointment, when such travel is undertaken for work-related purposes.

Requests should be made with as much advance notice as possible and must include supporting documentation. To request this leave type, please first contact your Department Manager. The Department Manager can then work directly with the Employee & Labor Relations team (which can be contacted at employeeandlaborrelations@brown.edu) and the UHR Leave & Accommodations team (which can be contacted at accommodations@brown.edu).

If a postdoctoral appointee in the bargaining unit is unable to return to the United States due to immigration-related issues outside of their control (such as administrative processing delays), the University will make reasonable efforts to maintain employment. This is subject to immigration and work authorization requirements, the terms of the individual’s funding source, and applicable laws and regulations. Federal and state laws, including tax requirements, apply in all cases. If you have any questions, please contact your cognizant dean’s office.

Please note, if you are a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (also known as a Postdoctoral Fellow whose stipend is paid directly by an external grant or fellowship and therefore not processed through the University payroll system)—and thus not part of the BPLO bargaining unit—the preceding information does not apply.

For additional details, see Article 6: International Employees of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

If the University is no longer able to lawfully employ a postdoctoral appointee in the BPLO bargaining unit due to their immigration status, the University will hold the position open for up to 60 calendar days to allow the individual time to obtain alternative work authorization or a non-University-sponsored immigration status that permits continued employment. If the individual later obtains lawful work authorization after this period, reemployment will depend on factors such as the availability of research funding and lab space. Decisions made under this provision are not subject to the grievance process.

Please note, if you are a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (also known as a Postdoctoral Fellow whose stipend is paid directly by an external grant or fellowship and therefore not processed through the University payroll system)—and thus not part of the BPLO bargaining unit—the preceding information does not apply.

For additional details, see Article 6: International Employees of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

The Office of Global Engagement (OGE) at Brown has shared these resources intended for international students and scholars:

• Review the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) guidance on What to Bring When Traveling for visa holders traveling within the U.S. and internationally.
• All faculty, students, and staff undertaking international travel for Brown-related purposes are strongly encouraged to participate in a free legal consultation. As a reminder, international travel plans connected to Brown must be registered.
• Consult the Office of Information Technology (OIT) website for important security information, including preparing mobile devices and laptops for travel.