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 it to the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) official along with your passport, J-1 entry visa stamp, 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 and 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 each time you arrive in the U.S. and keep a copy for your records. This will be one of the documents you must submit through MyISSS as part of your Scholar Check-In.
- When you arrive, your I-94 will be recorded electronically. You can access and save your "Most Recent I-94" arrival record after inspection.
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
There are a variety of transportation options from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
- Light Rail Transit: The Blue Line leaves the airport every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 10 to 15 minutes at other times of the day. Tickets are sold at ticket machines at the rail station.
- A quick, easy way to get from the airport to campus (est. 35 minutes): Take the Blue Line to U.S. Bank Stadium station in downtown Minneapolis. Transfer to the Green Line toward St. Paul. Get off at East Bank station.
- Buses: City bus service is provided by Metro Transit. For bus fare and route information, call the 24-hour automated system at 612-341-4287.
- Shuttles: It costs approximately $20 per person to take a shared shuttle from the airport. If you have more than 3 pieces of luggage you will be charged an extra fee. Bus, van, and limousine service can also be scheduled.
- Taxis: Taxi service is available for approximately $40-$50. A $6.25 fare will be displayed on the Taxicab meter when you start your trip. This fee includes a $2.50 "flag drop" fee and a $3.75 airport access fee. Use taxis and shuttle services that have the name of the company clearly marked.
- App-based Ride Services: Uber, Lyft, or other app-based ride services pick up on Level 2 of the Green Parking Ramp, above the Ground Transportation Center.
