Entering the U.S.
During your flight to the U.S., flight attendants will give you an “I-94 Arrival and Departure Card” to complete. Make sure to write your name exactly as it appears in your passport and on your DS-2019. You must present to the U.S. immigration inspector your passport with entry visa stamp, your I-94 card, and your DS-2019. You may be asked to show additional documents such as proof of financial support, so make sure to carry these documents with you, not in your checked baggage.
Get Your Most Recent I-94 Record
An I-94 is a record of your travel to the United States. You should check the accuracy of your I-94 after you arrive in the USA, and you should keep a copy for your records. This will be one of the documents you must submit through MyISSS.
- If you arrive via air or sea, your I-94 will be recorded electronically. You can access and print your "Most Recent I-94" arrival record after inspection.
- If you arrive via a land border, you may be given a paper Form I-94 record. To save time at the border, apply for a land border I-94 arrival record seven (or fewer) days before your arrival.
Carrying Cash Into the U.S.
If you choose to bring large amounts of money with you, we recommend that you carry traveler's checks rather than cash. Do not carry money in your luggage. You should keep it with you at all times.
Bringing $10,000 or More?
If you will bring $10,000 (USD or foreign equivalent) or more in cash or travelers checks with you to the U.S., you will be required to file a report with U.S. Customs when you enter the country. The U.S. government allows you to carry any amount of currency or other monetary instruments into the United States, but the funds may be confiscated by the U.S. government if you fail to report amounts of above $10,000 or more.
If traveling with family members, including your parents, your family must file a family declaration if you, collectively, bring $10,000 or more into the U.S. This declaration will list all of the funds being brought into the U.S.
Transportation from the Airport
Visitors can find public transportation at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport’s Ground Transportation Center. Use taxis and shuttle services that have the name of the company clearly marked, and whose drivers are willing to give you an estimate of the cost to take you to your destination.
Super Shuttle service is available from the airport to the Twin Cities campus for approximately $40. Taxi service is also available for approximately $40–50 to campus.
After claiming your luggage, you can find both the shuttle and taxi service by following the signs for "taxis." The signs will take you through the tram tunnel one floor below the baggage claim. When you reach the transportation center an airport agent will be there to assist you.
The Shuttle operates 24 hours a day every day of the week. You will be charged an extra fee if you have more than 3 pieces of luggage.
Light Rail service and city buses are also available from the airport to downtown Minneapolis. Learn more on the Metro Transit website.
International student organizations are also helpful and may offer to assist you with transportation from the airport. Another organization you can contact is the Minnesota International Student Association (MISA). You may send them an email at [email protected] or visit their website.
