Arriving from your home country into the United States

Transcription

1 Arriving from your home country into the United States Have all of your important documents ready to present at the Customs & Border Patrol at the airport. These include: Original I-20 (if you have any previous I-20s, you should bring those as well) Passport (valid for at least 6 months into the future) F-1 Student Visa (for Canadians: you will receive your F-1 Student Visa stamp upon entry into the U.S.) Declaration of finances and supporting bank statements (the documents that you took to your visa interview) Acceptance letter to RISD You will complete a form with the airline that will be given to the Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) Officer. This form will be entered into the automated I-94 system and will become your arrival/departure record. Any other forms of identification Going through Immigration 1. Have all of your documents ready to provide to the Customs & Border Patrol Officer **If you are coming from Canada, this is where you will obtain your F-1 Student Visa stamp in your passport.** Your I-20 and your F-1 Student Visa will be reviewed, your I-94 form will be entered in the database and your passport will be stamped by the officer. Make sure to enter the U.S. using your F-1 Student Visa!! Make sure Customs & Border Patrol DOES NOT enter you as a tourist!! 2. Be polite and answer any questions they ask you. 3. On occasion you may be asked further questions. It is important to have all required documents in order to provide supporting evidence of your F-1 status. 4. If you have any trouble going through immigration, contact RISD Public Safety at (401) and they will be able to put you in touch with the Office of International Student Services. 1

2 After you arrive in the United States Once you arrive in the U.S. the Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) will enter your arrival information electronically and this becomes your I-94 record. You will be able to retrieve your I-94 record electronically. * You will receive a paper I-94 card only if you enter the U.S. by car or by boat. Please follow instructions to print out your I-94 card: 1. In your internet browser, go to: 2. Fill out your information in the fields provided 3. Check the correct name spelling, all personal information, the visa category and expiration date of your authorized stay. The name on your I-94 should match your passport 4. If errors are found, CBP should be contacted as soon as possible. There is a CBP Office outside of 5. If there are NO errors you must print out the I-94 record and keep it with your passport and I When you arrive on campus, bring all immigration documents to RISD s Office of International Student Services, located on the second floor of Carr House, 210 Benefit Street, Providence. Arriving to Providence and to RISD There are many ways that you can get to Providence based on your personal preference and your budget! Below you will find a few of the ways that many RISD students travel to Providence and to RISD. Most students arrive in Providence by either first coming through Boston s Logan Airport or through JFK Airport in New York and then taking a bus to Kennedy Plaza in Providence, which is only a 5 minute walk away from RISD s main campus. For other locations at RISD, you can find directions via Google Maps using RISD's mailing address, 2 College Street or find directions below via air, train, bus or car. 2

3 T.F. Green Airport (PVD) T. F. Green Airport is located about ten miles south of Providence. The most convenient mode of transportation to the campus is by shuttle (see below), which leaves the airport on the hour and arrives on campus about 25 minutes later. The airport is also served by the MBTA, which runs commuter trains to Providence and Boston, RIPTA (see below) bus routes and taxis. Getting to RISD from the Providence Airport RIPTA (Rhode Island Public Transit Authority) Buses: These are free with the use of a RISD ID or $2.00 cash without an ID. There are 2 buses that run to the Providence Airport: # 14 WestBay (stop D in Downtown Providence at Kennedy Plaza), or #20 Elmwood Ave. (stop A in Kennedy Plaza). Airport Shuttle: The shuttle runs daily from 5:00 am to 8:00 pm The shuttle stops at 30 Waterman (in front of RISD Public Safety and Freshman Dormitories), as well as a few hotels in the area (Marriott, Renaissance Hotel, Biltmore and Westin) and the Providence Train Station. Please visit for information about shuttle service Logan International Airport (BOS) LOGAN Logan International Airport is approximately fifty miles north of Providence, and is served by Peter Pan Bus Company. The ride to Providence takes about ninety minutes. Train The train terminal is located in downtown Providence. From there, you can either walk up College Hill to RISD s Main Campus (about 10 to 15 minutes) or take a cab. Please note that the walk may be difficult if you are bringing luggage with you. 3

4 Amtrak USA-RAIL ( ) Amtrak is a private company that runs train service nationwide. MBTA Commuter Rail Service (from Boston to Providence via the Attleboro/Stoughton Line) MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) is a Massachusetts based service that runs throughout the state of Massachusetts and extends to Providence, Rhode Island. Bus The Peter Pan bus terminal is located just north of downtown Providence, and provides free shuttle service (with a RISD ID) to Kennedy Plaza, the downtown bus terminal. From there, you can either walk up to RISD s Main Campus (about 10 to 15 minutes) or take a cab to campus. You can purchase bus tickets online and you should arrive at the stop at least 30 minutes before the bus departs. Private Bus Companies Peter Pan (toll-free ) Greyhound (international areas without toll-free access) (assistance for passengers with disabilities) (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf TDD) MegaBus MegaBus provides a lower cost express service between Providence and New York City us.megabus.com 877 GO2-MEGA ( ) 4

5 RIPTA Rhode Island Public Transportation Authority (RIPTA) For information on public transportation within Rhode Island, including buses, trolleys and the Providence/Newport water ferry service, visit RIPTA buses are free to RISD ID holders. Car From the north or south: From either I-95 South or I-95 North, take Exit 22A, Downtown, Memorial Boulevard. Proceed straight through the first three sets of traffic lights and enter the left-hand turn lane as you approach the fourth set of lights. Take a left over the bridge and proceed up the hill along Waterman Street to the third intersection. Turn left onto Prospect Street and proceed through the intersection with Angell Street. Woods-Gerry House is the next block, on the left. From the east: Follow I-195 West to exit 2, South Main Street. Travel down South Main Street to the first light. Turn right onto College Street. At the next stop sign, go straight up the hill. Turn left onto Prospect Street and proceed through the intersections with Waterman and Angell streets. Woods-Gerry House is the next block, on the left. From the northwest: Follow Route 146 to I-95 South. Once on I-95 South, follow the directions above (from the North and South). Rental Cars If you need a Rental Car here is a list of providers in the area. Alamo: ; Avis: ; Budget: ; CarRentals.com: Car Rental Express: Dollar Car Rental: ; Hertz: ; National: ; Thrifty: ; 5

6 Zipcar Zipcar is the world s largest car sharing and car club service. It is an alternative to traditional car rental and car ownership. RISD students (18+) have the opportunity to join Zipcar s car sharing program and get a car when they need one. More information can be found at ** If you do not currently have a U.S. or international driver s license and want to drive in the U.S., please contact RISD s Office of International Student Services (oiss@risd.edu). Where to Stay in Providence If you need a place to stay in Providence before you move into your campus residence hall, here are some options: Hotels and Bed and Bed & Breakfast Hostels near RISD Annie Brownell House Angell Street Christopher Dodge House Bed and Breakfast Hotel 11 West Park Street Comfort Inn/Pawtucket Two George Street Pawtucket, RI Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Crossings Greenwich Avenue Warwick, RI

7 Hampton Inn & Suites 58 Weybosset Street Providence RI Hilton Providence 21 Atwells Avenue Hotel Providence Westminster Street Johnson & Wales Inn Taunton Avenue Seekonk, MA , ext 1535 Marriott/Providence One Orms Street Old Court Bed & Breakfast Benefit Street Providence Biltmore Hotel 11 Dorrance Street at Kennedy Plaza 7

8 Providence Courtyard by Marriott 32 Exchange Terrace Radisson Hotel/Providence Harbor India Street Renaissance Providence 5 Avenue of the Arts Residence Inn/Warwick Kilvert Street Warwick, RI Westin/Providence 1 West Exchange Street Wyndham Garden Providence India Street In summary Know your travel plans in advance and double check in case of schedule changes (because of 8

9 inclement weather etc.) If you are unexpectedly delayed during move-in day or orientation, especially international student orientation, contact OISS to let us know. 9