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Check-in Upon Arrival

Upon arrival to the Salk Institute, please visit both Academic and International Services (AIS). Both are located in the North Wing of the East Buildings. Our address is 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037-1002.

Driver's License

The State of California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires California Residents to have a California driver's license even if the resident possesses a valid international driver's license. For driving purposes only, scholars are considered to be California Residents.

The DMV requires a written test and a road test. No appointment is necessary for the written test, but an appointment and car are required for the road test. A US Social Security Number is not needed to apply for a driver's license. Under current law, a temporary license will be issued pending USCIS confirmation of the applicant's I-94 status in the USA. It may take as long as nine months to receive the actual driver's license in the mail. Temporary permits can be renewed until the card is received.

The closet DMV Office to Salk is located at 4375 Derrick Dr, San Diego, CA 92117.

State Identification Card

The DMV will issue a non-driver's State Identification card for non-drivers. This is a very convenient form of identification, since the passport is not always recognized for local transactions. The same documents are needed as if applying for a driver's license and USCIS will have to confirm I-94 status in the USA.

Social Security Number

A Social Security Number (SSN) is a unique, 9-digit taxpayer identification number used for taxpayer identification, income reporting, and record-keeping purposes. The Social Security Administration (SSA) issues numbers to all U.S. citizens and permanent residents and to eligible foreign nationals. Eligibility to apply for a social security number is dependent on one's eligibility for employment in the U.S.

You must be physically present in the U.S. in an immigration classification that allows for employment and you must have a job or an offer of employment to apply for a Social Security Card. If you have just recently arrived in the U.S. for the first time in your current immigration classification, you should wait at least 10 business days after your date of arrival in the U.S. to submit an application for a Social Security Card.

Application for a Social Security Card to the Social Security Administration in person on any business day (except holidays) between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Social Security Administration Offices are located at 8505 Aero Drive, San Diego, CA 92123 and at 1333 Front Street, San Diego, CA 92101. Bring the following documents with you:

  1. A completed Application for a Social Security Card (SS-5). The application form is available on-line at or at the Social Security Administration office.
  2. Unexpired foreign passport with U.S. Visa (Canadian nationals do not need a U.S. Visa)
  3. Original USCIS I-94 Departure card (small white card stapled into passport)
  4. All of the supporting documentation below (depending on immigration status):
    1. J-1 Exchange Visitors: All SEVIS Form(s) DS-2019
    2. J-2 Dependents: All SEVIS Form(s) DS-2019 and Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
    3. TN employees: Job offer letter from the Salk Institute
    4. H-1B or O-1 employees: All I-797 Approval Notice(s)

In most cases, a Social Security Card should be mailed to the address you listed on your application form within 14 business days. If you do not receive a Social Security Card within 30-60 days, you should contact the Social Security Administration via telephone at 1-800-772-1213 or visit the Social Security Administration website at: http://www.ssa.gov/ to inquire about the status of your pending application.

Society of Research Fellows (SRF)

The Salk Institute has an organization for all researchers called The Society of Research Fellows (SRF). SRF sponsors monthly seminars and social events designed to increase the friendly interactions between peer researchers at Salk.

Transportation in San Diego

San Diego's Metropolitan Transit System provides bus and rail services in San Diego County. For more information regarding planning trips, maps, and bus or train schedules, please visit: http://www.sdmts.com/.

U.S. Postal Service

The U.S. Postal Service delivers mail to homes and business Monday through Saturday. Mail is not delivered on Sunday or legal holidays. Information about the current postal rates and USPS services can be found at http://www.usps.com. The closest post office location to Salk is located at 8837 Villa La Jolla Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037.

The Salk Institute's Mail room is located on the Third Level, South Building, Southeast Mechanical Wing. Stamps are available for purchase from 9:30am - 11:00am and 2:00pm - 4:00pm.

English Language Assistance

The San Diego Community College District offers free classes through its Centers for Education and Technology. Their English as a Second Language (ESL) Program offers English classes for non-native speakers of English. Students must be at least 18 years old and a resident of California. Students aged 16-17 must get permission from the local high school to attend their classes. There are 7 levels of instruction, ranging from classes to serve those with no English skills to classes for those with advanced skills. The classes are free of charge and classes of all levels are offered in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings.

The University of California San Diego (UCSD) is located across the street from Salk. UCSD's English Language Institute offers several programs to help foreigners learn English.

The UCSD Extension offers a wide range of academic and professional development courses to the public. These English courses are for non-native speakers who need to refine their fluency. Some of these courses are helpful to academics and people in scientific settings. Other courses are designed to improve the language skills of professionals and those in the American workplace.