Upon Arrival in Seattle

Shuttle Express is a van service from the airport to your destination. After collecting your luggage, follow signs to "Ground Transportation" on the 3rd floor of the parking garage. Proceed to the Shuttle Express booth. Expect to pay $25 plus a 15% gratuity per person.

Taxi service is available 24 hours per day. To the University, expect to pay $40 plus a 15% gratuity.

If you don't have much luggage, public bus service from the airport with connections to the University is available during business hours at low cost. Inquire at the transportation information desk on the 3rd floor of the parking garage.

Before you arrive in Seattle, contact your UW department for assistance in locating off-campus housing. Apartments in the U-District (the neighborhood surrounding the University) are within walking or biking distance to campus. Other neighborhoods have good bus service to the UW. Useful resources include:

UW Visiting Faculty Housing Service

The FIUTS office in HUB 310 posts housing opportunities for international visitors

Limited dormitory-style on-campus housing may be available during the summer months.

UW Daily, classified ads

Guide to Seattle neighborhoods

You are encouraged to participate in the online orientation offered by Academic Human Resources and a Benefits Orientation.

To transfer money to the U.S. before your arrival, your financial institution will need to make arrangements with a bank that has an office in Seattle. There may be a limit to the amount of funds which may be transferred. Banks within walking distance of the University include:

Bank of America, 4701 University Way NE

Key Bank, 400 NE Ravenna Blvd.

US Bank, HUB ground floor

Chase Bank, 4300 Brooklyn Ave NE

Wells Fargo, 4100 University Way NE

You must apply for a Social Security number. Payment of salary may be withheld until the Social Security number is issued. Once you’ve been issued a Social Security number, you’ll never need to apply for one again.

You will obtain from your department a UW ID card (Husky Card), permitting access to most UW services and facilities including:

• Parking and Transportation Services
• Intramural Activities Building (IMA)
• UW Libraries
• UW Benefits / Worklife

For a small fee, the Washington State Department of Licensing issues driver's licenses, and photo identification cards for non-drivers. Identification cards can be issued at any age and are valid for 5 years. The Washington-issued ID serves to confirm your identity and generally precludes the need to always carry a passport. The Washington State ID card is not an immigration document and will not satisfy USCIS requirements for entry into the U.S.