Travel

Preparing to Enter the United States

When to Arrive

The U.S. immigration regulations allow you to enter the United States no more than 30 days prior to the start date listed on your Form I-20 or DS-2019.

U.S. Immigration Inspection

It is essential that you have the proper documents to present to the immigration officer at the U.S. port of entry. Be sure to put your visa document (Form I-20 or DS-2019) and financial documentation together with your passport and carry them with you because you will need to show them to the immigration officer when you enter the United States. It is not advised that international students and scholars try to enter the United States in tourist visa status. Tourist visas should not be used to enter the United States for purposes other than tourism. Individuals in tourist visa status are not permitted to enroll in full-time study in U.S. educational institutions. It is not possible to change from a tourist visa status to a student visa status within the United States.

Initial Expenses

You should plan to arrive with enough money to meet the substantial initial expenses of your first weeks in the United States. Until you are living in a dormitory or apartment, you should expect to spend from $20-$40 per day for meals at moderately priced restaurants and from $100-$400 per night for off-campus accommodations. You should have some U.S. currency on hand when you arrive. All U.S. paper money is the same size and color. Denominations are $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, or $100. U.S. currency is based on a decimal system, with 100 cents per dollar. The Travelex Foreign Exchange booth at Logan Airport in Boston is open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., seven days a week.

To avoid delays and cash-flow problems, you may want to open an account in a U.S. bank in your home country or in a non-U.S. bank (also in your home country) that has a branch in the United States. You would then be able to transfer funds from the bank in your country to a bank in the United States. This way, it might be possible to avoid the long delay (4-8 weeks) required to process a check issued in a foreign currency from a foreign bank. It is very important for you to be familiar with your government's regulations for transferring funds to the United States. You should also check with your bank in your country regarding fees charged for transferring funds to the United States.

Customs and Baggage

Inquire at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country for information about customs regulations for visitors to the United States or consult the CBP web site. This information may prevent unnecessary expenses. You should try to bring your belongings with you because the University cannot store baggage sent ahead. You may ask your department or school if someone is able to accept your baggage, but it is usually not possible to do so. Please do not send packages or baggage to the Harvard International Office since we do not have storage space. Once you have a U.S. residential address, personal effects and packages under a certain weight may be mailed to you by international parcel post. Consult your local parcel post regulations for details.

The simplest, but perhaps most costly, way of transporting your goods to the United States is to use a shipping agent. The shipping agent in your country should have a corresponding agent in the United States, who can check your baggage through customs. Always have the items that you ship insured.

Medical Records

All full-time students must show their complete immunization records in order to register for classes. Records of your children's immunizations are also required before they may enroll in public schools in the United States. Please review the current immunization requirements. Be sure to bring copies (translated into English) of your medical records and those of any accompanying family members if you will need follow-up medical care while in the United States.

Arriving in the United States

Upon arrival in the United States, you must complete a customs declaration form and your luggage may be examined by a customs officer. An immigration officer will also check your visa papers and will issue a small white card (Form I-94) indicating how long you may remain in the United States. The notation "D/S" means that you have been given permission to remain in the United States for the duration of your status (the length of time indicated on the Form I-20 or DS-2019). For safekeeping, the Form I-94 should be stapled into your passport. If any information related to the address you provided on the Form I-94 changes after you enter the United States, you should report the new address information within ten days to the HIO. Please report the change of address via the HIO web site.

Arriving in Boston

You may take a taxi from Logan Airport in Boston. The cost to Harvard Square or to the medical area in Boston is approximately $30. You may also take the subway from Logan Airport to many points in Boston and Cambridge, although it is difficult if you have a lot of luggage with you. The subway is commonly called the "T", and it operates from 5:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. The subway lines are called the Blue, Green, Red, Silver, and Orange Lines. Take the free airport shuttle bus to the subway station where you may buy a subway ticket for $2.00.

Getting to Harvard Square (Business, Design, Divinity, Law, and Education Schools, as well as HKS, GSAS, and Harvard College): To get to Harvard's main campus take the Silver Line inbound to the Red Line at South Station. Take the Red Line to Harvard Square Station. It is possible to change lines without going to the ground level or paying another fare.

Getting to the Medical School (Dental, Medical, and HSPH): To get to the medical area, take the Blue Line from the airport to Government Center. Get off the train at Government Center and switch to the Green Line. Take the "E" train to Longwood Avenue.

If you have problems or questions upon arrival at the airport, go to the Public Information Booths in any of the terminals at Logan Airport. You may want to view a map of the Harvard campus prior to arrival. For maps of Boston's public transit system, the MBTA, please visit their web site.