Post-Arrival
Post-Arrival
Travel to
the United States
This section includes suggestions for
making travel plans and reservations. It discusses immigration procedures
you must follow at your point of entry into the US. It suggests how you
might obtain travel assistance when you arrive in the country and continue
on to Laredo, your final destination. The information is categorized under
the following headings:
Before deciding how
you will travel to the U.S., consider different carriers, fares, flight
schedules and routes, services, conditions of travel, etc. It doesn't
really matter whether you choose the Atlantic or the Pacific route. You
will go through customs & immigration at your port of entry which
is the first airport in the US that you arrive at. The Laredo airport
is officially known as the Laredo International Airport (code: LRD).This
is about 5 miles from the university.
Timing
Plan to arrive at the university at least 3-4 days before the International
Student Orientation (mentioned in the "New Student Arrival Packet"
sent by the University). This will give you an opportunity to settle in
and to rest from your trip before participating in required student activities.
It will also provide time for you to become familiar with the campus and
the community and to make friends before the pressure of coursework begins.
Travel Reservations
Make reservations well in advance of your departure date. This is especially
important if you travel during peak or tourist seasons (summer and Christmas/New
Year's holiday season).
Please note that it will not be possible for the University to pick you
up from the Houston or Dallas airports since they are a minimum 7-8 hours
drive from Laredo.
Luggage
Remember that if you are coming from outside the U.S., you are allowed
only 2 pieces of luggage of specified weight and dimensions.
Buying U.S. Dollars
We suggest that you purchase $25 to $50 in U.S. money before you leave
home in case you need U.S. money before you arrive at the currency exchange
counter at the U.S. port of entry.
Port of Entry Procedures
Customs Declaration
Forms and Immigration Forms
Sometime before your arrival, the flight attendant will distribute customs
declaration forms and immigration forms. Fill these out on the plane.
You will submit them to the appropriate U.S. Customs authorities after
you land. If you do not understand a form, ask the flight attendant for
assistance.
Correct Time
As you approach the airport where you will land in the U.S., the pilot
will announce the correct time. The U.S. follows a 12-hour system of time,
rather the 24-hour system followed by most of the countries. Also, set
your watch to the correct U.S. time before you disembark. Keep in mind
that the U.S. has four different time zones. Texas is in the Central Time
Zone.
Review of Immigration Documents
Upon entering the U.S. you will pass through the U.S. immigration area.
Your passport, visa and other documents will be officially reviewed. The
following documents should be carried with you, never checked with baggage:
Passport
Visa
Form I-20 A-B.
Evidence of financial resources (if not included in Form I-20 A-B)
Form I-94 ("Arrival-Departure Record" or "Permit to Stay")
This form will be given to you on the airplane, and you will be asked
to complete it before you leave the airplane. After reviewing your documents,
the immigration officer will indicate on this form the length of time
you will be permitted to stay in the U.S. and the name of the university.
The officer will attach this form to your passport. Protect this I-94
Form. There will be times when you must show it. Be sure you know the
expiration date, and plan to renew it for your stay in the U.S. necessary.
Customs
Even if your luggage is booked through to your final destination, it will
be off-loaded at your port of entry. After passing through the immigration
area, you will collect your baggage and then, with your baggage, pass
through customs. A customs Inspector will ask you to declare what you
have brought into the country. He will inspect your bags and review the
customs form you filled out on the airplane. Penalties for concealing
declarable items can be severe, so be honest and make a full declaration.
Certain articles are forbidden or restricted. These include plants, fruits,
meats, vegetables; clothing made from the skins of endangered species
and switchblade knives. Pickles, spices, etc. will be allowed as long
as they are packed properly and sealed. Spices are usually classified
as non-perishable and dehydrated and you may declare them as such.
Travel Assistance and Services
Help with baggage
At many airports, you can rent a cart to transport your baggage. The fee
is nominal, usually $1-$2 per bag. If you engage a porter, you must pay
him a small fee called tips.
Currency Exchange
Point-of-Entry airports have banking services for the exchange of foreign
currency and traveler’s checks. However, airport banking services
usually have specified hours and may not be open late at night or early
in the morning. When changing currency, it is advisable to ask for $3
to $4 in U.S. currency that you can use at public telephone to make local
or long distance calls.
Connecting
Flights
If you continue your journey by air, check in at the airline counter as
soon as you are through customs. In most airports, you might have to change
terminals to board your connecting flight. Ask the airline representative
at the counter about changing terminals. You might have to use the Airport
Transport System to do so. These counters are usually right outside the
customs area. Remember, it is your responsibility to collect your baggage
after passing through immigration, clear it through customs, and get it
checked in again for the onward connection. In case your baggage does
not arrive on the same flight as you, do not waste too much time hunting
for it. Mention it to the airline representative and give them a forwarding
address and phone number where you can be reached. In any event, do not
miss your connecting flight. In case your flight came in late, or the
onward flight is canceled, it is the responsibility of the airline on
which you flew into the country, to make arrangements for another flight.
If the delay involves an overnight stay, then the airline has to put you
up for the night and also pay for your meals. Do not let the airline representative
convince you otherwise.
Note: Please don't panic if your flight arrives late and the time for
the connecting flight is too near (say, within the next 10-15 minutes)
for you to make it due to Immigration and Customs delays. Simply follow
the same actions outlined above and get your airline to arrange things
for you. Don't be rude, but be firm while dealing with the airline representatives.
If a representative from the airline on which you will be traveling is
outside the customs area, tell him/her that you are taking the plane to
Laredo. (Many times he/she will telephone ahead and the plane will be
held for a few minutes for you.)
Traveling by Bus
We strongly urge you to purchase or extend your air ticket right up to
Laredo. Though bus (Greyhound) services are available, they are tiring
and long drive from Houston and Dallas. Check the Greyhound site for the
latest information www.greyhound.com
The toll free number (no charge) for Greyhound Bus service is 1-800-231-2222.
Please inform the University of the time, date and other details of your
arrival well in advance.
top
Important Identification Cards
Social Security Card:
A Social Securitu Number(SSN) is the most important form of identification in the USA. However, a student can not apply for one from his/her home country.For more information, check the link below:
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/
Toll-free phone number: 1-800-772-1213.
Texas Identification
Card:
Students can get a Texas ID from the Department of Public Safety. It can
be used as a picture identification card, which most grocery stores and
shopping centers may ask for.
Driver’s
License:
International students can get an International Driving License from their
respective countries. This license can be used for a short time until
they get a Texas Driver’s License. This can be obtained from the
Department of Public Safety. There is a written test first; a temporary
learning permit is issued after successfully passing the test which can
be used until a permanent license is obtained.
The Department also provides a handbook for the written test.
Address of Department of Public Safety:
1901 Bob Bullock Loop
Laredo, TX 78043
Ph: 728-2304