Entering the U.S.

PRIOR TO TRAVELING, PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES FOR HELPFUL INFORMATION ABOUT IMMIGRATION AND LIVING IN THE U.S.

The United States has restrictions about who can enter, what activities are permitted, and what is required for each length of stay. You need to be aware of these rules as you prepare to enter the U.S.  U.S. Customs and Border Protection offers guidance on many of these restrictions which can be reviewed at:

The date listed as the Program Start Date on your I-20 or DS-2019 form is the date that you should plan to be on campus. You may arrive up to 30 days before the program start date listed on your I-20 or DS-2019.

Before you leave for the United States, please make sure you carry the following list of original documents with you.

  • Passport
  • Visa
  • Signed I-20 or DS-2019

These required documents will be inspected by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as you pass through a U.S. Port of Entry.  Do not put these documents in your checked baggage; always carry them with you at all times while traveling. It is a good idea to make a copy of the original documents and leave them with your family before you depart.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers will review your documents and compare the information with your SEVIS record. If the CBP officer at the port of entry cannot verify your information, or if you do not have all of the required documentation, the officer may direct you to an interview area known as secondary inspection. Secondary inspections allow CBP officers to conduct additional research to verify information without causing delays for other arriving passengers. Being prepared at the port of entry reduces the risk for a secondary inspection.

Some items are restricted by CBP and cannot be brought into the United States, while others may require a permit or be restricted from certain locations. For additional information on this topic, please review the Clearing Customs and Border Protection website.

I-94 Arrival/Departure Forms

  • Form I-94 is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) arrival record. The CBP officers at the port of entry generate the I-94 record. This record is a critical piece of your immigration documentation and is evidence of legal entry and SEVIS status while in the United States. We suggest that you keep a copy of the Form I-94 record with your passport.
  • Each time you enter the U.S., a new I-94 record will be generated. After each entry, you should go to the I-94 website to access and print your new I-94 record.

As you plan your travel itinerary, please keep in mind that the Port of Entry where you first enter the United States will unlikely be at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) or any other airport in Missouri.

Please allow at least 4-5 hours in your schedule to pass through the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) immigration checkpoint before you board your domestic flight to STL, which is the closest airport to Missouri S&T.

St. Louis, Missouri is approximately 110 miles/175 kilometers from Rolla. Here are the options for traveling from the St. Louis Airport (STL) to Rolla:

  • Van Shuttle Service: USA Express Shuttle Service is a transportation company that offers van service from the St. Louis airport to Rolla daily. THEY OFFER THIS SERVICE THROUGH RESERVATIONS ONLY.  RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED AT LEAST 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE. Please visit their website for departure times, reservations, and pricing.

  • Greyhound Bus Service: Greyhound is a commercial bus line that provides transportation to Rolla. They schedule trips from the St. Louis airport to Rolla throughout the day. When booking your ticket, be sure to select Saint Louis (Lambert Field Bus Stop), Missouri, as your starting point and the Rolla (Burger King), Missouri, as your ending point. More information about schedules and pricing is available on their website. You can call them toll-free at 1-800-872-9399.