Arriving in the US and at UMD + US Customs    Issue 4
Also:
Customs and Border Protection
Getting to Campus
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Customs and Border Protection
The Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for screening anyone entering the United States for admissibility.  Their website features additional information for international visitors.
Getting to Campus
Take a look at   http://www.cvs.umd.edu/visitors/maps.html for more information about getting to campus.
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You've been preparing for months.  Now it's time to get here, whether from across the globe or the next county.  Are you ready?  
Today's Tip: Arriving in the US and at UMD

DON'T ARRIVE TOO EARLY!

Remember, new F-1 and J-1 students may not enter the U.S. more than 30 days before the report date on the I-20 or DS-2019 form. Transfer students may arrive earlier.

 

PACKING FOR YOUR DEPARTURE

As you prepare to depart your home country, make sure you pack the following items in your carry-on bag:
-   Your passport, valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected stay;
-   Your Form I-20 if you are F-1 student or your Form DS-2019 if you are a J-1 student.
-   Evidence of financial resources;
-   Letter of admission;
-   Receipt for paying the SEVIS fee
-   Phone number for International Student and Scholar Services: +001 301-314-7740.
 
If you have a driver's license in your home country and are interested in obtaining a driver's license in the US, you should bring your home country license. In Maryland, your license from your home country is required if you wish to go through the process of exchanging it for a Maryland license.
 

ARRIVAL IN THE US & CUSTOMS
While on the plane, you will be given the Customs Declaration Form (CF-6059) to complete.  If you arrive by land, you will also need to complete an I-94 form where you enter your biographical information and address.  The Form I-94 should reflect the address where you will live in the U.S., not the address of the school or program.  Please be extremely careful with the I-94 form, making sure to print clearly.  Your name should be written on the I-94 EXACTLY as it is in your passport.
 
At the port-of-entry, an immigration officer will look over your documents and ask you several questions about your stay in the US.  If you have more than one visa, be sure to open your passport to the visa you will use for study when presenting it to the Customs officer. The officer will electronically enter the visa status you are admitted with (F-1, J-1) and how long your stay in the US is valid. If you arrive by plane, you may access this information by finding your arrival record at  CBP.gov/I94 using your passport and travel information.  You will also receive an entry stamp in your passport.  Exception: If you arrive by land, s/he will staple a paper I-94 card into your passport.

Your I-94 record (and entry stamp in the passport) should say   "F-1, D/S" if you are an F-1 student or "J-1, D/S" if you are a J-1 student.  Please check carefully to make sure that this is correctly noted.  It is very important!  If "F-1, D/S" or "J-1, D/S" is not indicated in your I-94 record, you will have to return to the airport to get it corrected.  If you receive a paper I-94 card at the port of entry, do not lose it! It costs $320 to replace it.   
PLANNING TRANSPORTATION FROM THE AIRPORT
   
There are three major airports that surround the Washington, DC area: Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI); Reagan National Airport (DCA); and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).  It is best to fly into one of these airports, but you can also reach the DC area by train and bus from other major cities like New York City, Newark, and Philadelphia.   

If you will be travelling from Dulles International Airport (IAD), the Graduate Student Government and Yuva have created a preliminary schedule of shuttle dates and times, but the schedule is flexible and based on demand.  See the link below to make reservations.  If you have questions, please contact [email protected].  This is available to ALL UMD students.

https://umdsurvey.umd.edu/jfe/form/SV_aWUDdJ5yWkMg3cx
  
Public Transportation (metro train or bus) is easy from Reagan National and Baltimore airports.  Please see their websites for more information ( Reagan National Public Transportation & Baltimore Public Transportation ).
 
Shared Vans are an economical alternative where public transportation is not an option or if you are traveling with lots of luggage.  Shared " Super Shuttles"   and " Supreme Airport Shuttles" can be booked in advance or directly at the airport. These services take you directly to your door but are cheaper than a taxi. If you travel in a group, you can save money by booking together.

Taxis are abundant but can be costly (at least $40 from Reagan National, $70 from Baltimore, and $90 from Dulles).  Taxis in DC are required to accept credit cards, but if you travel from Virginia or Maryland, it is best to be prepared to pay cash.  Taxis are available outside the terminal at every airport. With the Uber or Lyft app, you can also arrange a taxi alternative that is slightly cheaper.


If you do not intend to enroll at UMD and would like to stop receiving these emails, please inform the admissions office (undergraduate students) or the Graduate School and your academic department (graduate students).
Sincerely,
 

International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)