International scholars selected for the Fung Global Fellows Program at Princeton University need practical guidance on travel arrangements, arrival procedures, housing, schools, transportation, and daily life. But first, you must have first applied for the Fung Global Fellows Program at Princeton University (PIIRS). After you have been approved and given admission, you can now proceed to the next step of travel preparation.
This comprehensive guide brings together all essential information to help fellows and their families prepare for a smooth transition to Princeton. The first thing you need to do is to get full J-1 Visa Compliance Details for Fung Global Fellows at Princeton to enable you prepare better and faster. You must first apply for your student visa to the US as an international student.
J-1 Visa Rules for International Fellows
Most Fung Global Fellows enter the United States on a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa (Research Scholar or similar category), sponsored by Princeton University through the Davis International Center. Therefore, you must first apply for the this visa at the United States embassy in your home country.
Arrival Window
- You may enter the United States up to 30 days before the start date listed on your DS-2019 form.
- You may also arrive up to 30 days after the start date in some cases, but you must complete check-in promptly.
- Do not begin any program activities or receive payment before the official start date on the DS-2019.
Mandatory Immigration Check-In
Upon arrival in the United States, all J-1 scholars must complete an immigration check-in with the Davis International Center.
- Complete the check-in online via TigerNav as soon as possible after arrival (ideally within 10 days of the start date on the DS-2019).
- You will need electronic copies of your DS-2019 and passport biographic page.
- Failure to validate your SEVIS record in a timely manner can put your legal status at risk.
Grace Period After the Program
J-1 visa holders have a 30-day grace period after the end date listed on the DS-2019.
During this period you may remain in the United States to prepare for departure, but you may not work or engage in program activities. If you leave the United States during the grace period, you cannot re-enter on the same DS-2019.
Address Reporting Requirement
You must maintain a current residential U.S. address at all times and report any change of address within 10 days. Update your address through the appropriate Princeton system (TigerHub or HR Self Service) so the Davis International Center can report it in SEVIS.
Health Insurance Requirement
U.S. federal regulations require J-1 visa holders and all J-2 dependents to maintain health insurance that meets specific minimum standards for the entire duration of the program (including the grace period if remaining in the U.S.).
After you have successfully applied and gotten your United States Visa approved at the embassy, you can now book for your travel.
Booking Your Travel
Once you know your arrival date (based on your move-in date) and are ready to book, contact Princeton University. Their staff will arrange your round-trip economy flights and ground transportation. Following university policy, they will obtain the most economical fare, ideally for non-stop flights or reasonable connections.
Information you will provide as a traveller:
- Copy of passport
- Gender and date of birth (for yourself, spouse/partner, and dependents)
- Seating preferences
- Special meal or wheelchair requests
- Frequent flyer number(s)
- Cell phone number
Recommended Arrival Dates
Plan to arrive on or by the following dates:
- Fall arrivals: 1 September
- Spring arrivals: 24 January
At present, most airlines do not permit booking a June return date early in the year. Unless you prefer to wait until July, World Travel will book a preliminary early return date and later change it in coordination with you. The program covers the change fee and any applicable fare differences.
Airport Options
The nearest airport is Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), approximately one hour by car from Princeton.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) are farther away but may offer better connections or lower fares in some cases. Once you have your Princeton address, World Travel can arrange a car service from the airport.
Booking Your Own Flights
You may book your own flights if you prefer. In that case, the program must obtain a comparable fare quote at the time of booking for reimbursement purposes. Any reimbursement can only be processed after your arrival in Princeton.
What International Fellows Should Do Upon Arrival
After arriving in Princeton, fellows should:
- Check in with the Fung Global Fellows Program office
- Complete immigration and visa reporting requirements through the Davis International Center
- Activate their Princeton NetID and university accounts
- Attend program orientation sessions
- Confirm housing arrangements and collect keys if applicable
- Register for essential local services (banking, mobile phone, etc.)
The Davis International Center provides key support for visa compliance and settling-in matters. Contact them promptly after arrival.
Housing Requirements and Options
Fellows are expected to live in Princeton or the local vicinity for the entire academic year. They must demonstrate the ability to be on campus daily and on short notice to fulfil in-person program responsibilities.
Princeton is a small town with limited furnished rental opportunities. While Princeton University maintains rental units that may become available, larger apartments (with more than one bedroom) suitable for families are generally unfurnished. Units in the new Merwick-Stanworth complex, for example, are unfurnished.
You may preview both on-campus and off-campus options on Princeton’s Faculty and Staff Housing website.
On-Campus Housing
If you are interested in on-campus housing, contact Yolanda Sullivan. She will put you in touch with the Faculty and Staff Housing Office, which will then send you a link to the password-protected housing application portal. On-campus housing assignments are generally made in June.
If you wish to reside in Olden House (a university guest house suited for individual visitors and couples), apply via the Olden House interest form. You may also contact the housing office or Yolanda directly with questions.
Most Fung Fellows have received offers for on-campus housing, primarily in Olden House or the Merwick-Stanworth complex, though placement cannot be guaranteed. Others found furnished sublets from faculty on leave, or rented apartments or houses in town. Several fellows purchased furniture from IKEA or similar stores, while others rented furniture through CORT at a Princeton University rate.
Off-Campus Housing
You can view off-campus listings by logging in with your current email address as a guest user on the Off-Campus Housing Website (before receiving your Princeton NetID). Local landlords and people offering sublets list their properties there. Contact them directly if you find something suitable. More offerings typically appear later in the spring.
Current and past visitors have frequently found it difficult to obtain a 10-month lease, as many landlords prefer a 12-month lease or longer. Negotiation is sometimes possible with flexibility on both sides.
With a J-1 visa, you may arrive up to 30 days before your start date and remain for a 30-day grace period afterward.
Additional housing and living resources:
- Tiger Re-Tail (student-run second-hand marketplace for furniture, books, bicycles, sporting goods, and more)
- Craigslist (Central New Jersey)
- SabbaticalHomes (sublets offered by academics, often entire houses)
- Airbnb
- Princeton Online
- The Princeton Packet (local newspaper classifieds)
- Town Topics (Princeton’s weekly publication)
- Princeton Township website
- Local realtors (addresses or links available upon request)
- Realtor.com
While Princeton is a small town, it covers a relatively large area. Many businesses and apartment complexes include “Princeton” in their name, which can be misleading. Always check a map or confirm with the housing office or Yolanda that a location is practical and accessible by foot or public transit.
Transportation Options
Prefer housing within walking or biking distance of campus when possible. Other options include:
- Tiger Transit: Free Princeton University campus shuttle
- New Jersey Transit: Public buses and trains (closest stations are Princeton “The Dinky” and Princeton Junction)
- Car-sharing services
- Amtrak: Closest station is in Trenton, NJ
- You can apply for NJ Driver’s License
- There are“Swap a Lease” program you can apply for
If you plan to own or drive a car, review U.S. driving licence requirements on the Davis International Center website. Current fellows have found it practical to bring and use an international driving permit initially when renting a car.
Getting a New Jersey Driver’s License
If you choose to operate a motor vehicle while living in the state of New Jersey, state law requires that you obtain a valid New Jersey driver’s license within 60 days of residing in the state. International students, scholars, and their families in New Jersey may apply for a New Jersey driver’s license at any Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) office
For international students and scholars the identification documents required will include:
- Valid passport
- Most recent I-94 arrival document electronic printout that you may retrieve from www.cbp.gov/I94
- Original I-20 (F-1/F-2) or DS-2019 (J-1/J-2). The printed electronic I-20 or DS-2019 sent by Davis IC and signed by you is currently accepted.
- A Social Security card is also required unless you are not eligible to obtain one. If you are not eligible for a Social Security card, you must complete the DMV’s Affidavit of No Social Security form.
NOTE: You are encouraged to make an appointment. Please see https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/locations/liccenters.htm for the latest information on closures, capacity limits, and if an appointment is needed.
Schools and Education for Families
If you are traveling with your family, you will be needing the educational opportunities for your wife and children. This includes preschool, public and private schools. There are different Day and Boarding High Schools in USA for Boys & Girls you can choose from too.
Public and Charter Schools
- Princeton Public Schools – Kindergarten (age 5 by 1 October) through Grade 12 for Princeton residents
- Princeton Charter School – Kindergarten through Grade 8
Preschool
- Princeton Free Public Preschool – for children aged 3 or 4 by 1 October (lottery system)
Private Schools
- A range of private school options exists in the Princeton area.
Banking in Princeton, USA – Guide for International Fellows/Students
Opening a U.S. bank account is one of the first practical steps after arriving in Princeton. Many international scholars open an account within the first week of arrival. Some banks offer special accounts for university affiliates. Mobile banking apps make it easy to manage your account once opened. Ask about fee-free student/scholar accounts and ATM fee reimbursements.
Banks Near Campus
- Chase Bank – Multiple branches and ATMs near campus; widely used by international students and scholars.
- Bank of America – Convenient locations and good online banking.
- Wells Fargo – Available in the Princeton area.
- PNC Bank – Another common option with local branches.
What You Usually Need to Open an Account
- Passport
- DS-2019 (or other immigration document)
- Princeton University ID or appointment letter
- U.S. address (campus or temporary housing)
- Social Security Number (SSN) – if you already have one (many banks can open accounts without it initially)
Visit a bank branch in person shortly after completing your immigration check-in. Staff are generally familiar with assisting international visitors from Princeton University.
Recreation and Family Activities
Things to do in Princeton, NJ: Simply step out of the Nassau Inn, and you will find yourself across the street from Princeton University and walking distance from the upscale boutiques, galleries, theaters and restaurants of vibrant Palmer Square. You can visit the following places:
- Princeton Recreation Department – youth sports programs, summer pool memberships, and camps
- Princeton Youth Sports Leagues
- YMCA of Princeton
- YWCA of Princeton
- Nassau Swim Club
- Broadmead Swim Club
- Quarry Swim Club
Additional University Programs and Community Resources
- Princeton University Transportation and Parking Services
- Davis International Center transportation guidelines
- Prison Teaching Initiative
- Princeton Teaching Transcript Program
- Princeton University’s Community Auditing Program (CAP)
- Princeton’s Program in Continuing Education
- Princeton Online courses
- Postdoctoral Council
- Princeton Visits walking tour app
- Local attractions and things to do in and around Princeton
Advice for Settling In
- Confirm exact locations on a map before committing to housing.
- Budget for initial furniture or rental costs if needed.
- Keep copies of all travel and housing documents for reimbursement and visa purposes.
- Reach out early to Yolanda Sullivan or the housing office with any questions.
Career and Living Guides
- Career Opportunities: Build Your Career and Financial Future After University Graduation
- Visa Application Channels for Foreigners, Diplomatic Posts Abroad and Appointment Guide
- The Truth About Asylum in Foreign Countries You Escape to When in Danger in Your Home Country
Source of Information
These requirements are based on the following:
1. Fung Global Fellows Program – Official Pages
- Information for Current Fellows (includes visa overview and link to Davis IC):
https://funggfp.princeton.edu/current-fellows - Living in Princeton (explicitly mentions the J-1 30-day arrival window and 30-day grace period):
https://funggfp.princeton.edu/current-fellows/living-princeton
2. Princeton University Davis International Center (Main Authority on J-1 Rules)
- J-1 Exchange Visitors (arrival window, check-in requirements, grace period, address reporting):
https://davisic.princeton.edu/immigration/current-scholars-and-faculty/j-1-exchange-visitors - New Scholars and Faculty (mandatory check-in process via TigerNav):
https://davisic.princeton.edu/new-students-scholars/new-scholars-and-faculty - Maintaining Status (general J-1 compliance rules, including the 30-day grace period):
https://davisic.princeton.edu/immigration/current-students/maintaining-status
These are the official Princeton University pages. For the most accurate and up-to-date personal advice, fellows should always contact the Davis International Center directly after receiving their DS-2019.
- Official guidance from Princeton University’s Davis International Center
- The original Fung Global Fellows Program materials (which note the 30-day pre- and post-program windows for J-1 visa holders)
- Standard U.S. Department of State J-1 Exchange Visitor regulations
For the most current and personalised advice, always consult the Davis International Center directly after receiving your DS-2019.
3. Points Confirmed from These Sources
- 30-day pre-program arrival window
- Mandatory immigration check-in with Davis International Center (via TigerNav)
- 30-day post-program grace period
- Address change reporting within 10 days
- Health insurance requirements for J-1 and J-2 dependents
Conclusion
Successful preparation for the Fung Global Fellows Program involves careful coordination of travel, housing, and arrival procedures. By working with Princeton’s designated travel agent, exploring both on-campus and off-campus housing options early, and completing required check-in steps through the Davis International Center, international fellows can begin their academic year with confidence.
Princeton offers a supportive environment with strong institutional resources for scholars and their families. Early planning and clear communication with program staff will help ensure a productive and enjoyable stay.