Current requirements for entry to the USA:
- Visa/immigration: In general, Simula visitors to the USA will either be able to take advantage of the ESTA visa waiver program (subject to citizenship requirements), or the B visa program. The ESTA program permits stays of up to 90 days, and the B-1 visa permits stays of up to 180 days. Please be aware that both must be approved prior to departure and you should begin this process as soon as you have fixed your dates. The B visa process is more involved and you should allow more time for processing. We only recommend this path for those wanting to stay longer than 6 months, or who do not meet the citizenship requirements for ESTA.
- Insurance: Travel less than 90 days is covered for Simula employees by our group Europeiske travel insurance (please ensure you take your insurance cards). For longer stays, please contact Maria Benterud to arrange NAV internasjonale insurance.
- COVID special requirements: COVID-19 travel requirements have been recently changed in the USA (12 June, 2022). Up-to-date information can be found here (travel.state.gov) and here (CDC.gov). Please ensure you have read and prepared for all requirements prior to departure. Of note, while testing is not required for entry to the US, proof of complete vaccination is still required for all non-US citizens.
Getting there
- Airports
- The closest international airports are Oakland (OAK), and San Francisco (SFO)
- Travel to and from airports
Lodging
- Short-term stays: there are many local Berkeley hotels for shorter-term stays, and we generally recommend the vacation rental market via AirBnB.com or vrbo.com for lodging longer than 1 week.
- Long-term stays: please contact Andy for assistance with long-term options (over 60 days).
- Hotels
- airbnb.com
- vrbo.com
Getting around
- Transport in California, as for the USA in general, is most often by car. Rideshare options (see links above) are usually the most efficient means for moving around, but for specific purposes and events SIMBER will fund car rental, and will generally reimburse all recorded (with receipts) travel while in the USA. The BART system is also efficient in the Berkeley area and for travel to downtown San Francisco.
- BART and other local public transit options
- Rental car (with constraints)
Local contact
- For questions in Berkeley, please contact Andy
Reimbursement and policies for Simula employees
- SIMBER will adhere to the general financial model developed for the SUURPh program to support your travel to Berkeley. Please see the details of this policy on the Simula intranet, and contact Andy with any questions.
Need to get in touch?
Feel free to reach out to Andy Edwards <andy@simula.no> or Nick Forsch <nick@simula.no> with any questions.
SIMBER 