Entering the U.S

1) Make Travel Arrangements and Reserve a Place to Stay in New York

Once you have completed the steps to obtain your F-1 or J-1 visa, make your personal travel arrangements and reserve a place to stay in New York. Learn more about living at NYU. Learn more about temporary housing options before you find a place to live.

2) Enter the United States No More Than 30 Days in Advance

Enter the United States no earlier than 30 days before and no later than the beginning date indicated on your I-20/ DS-2019. This is very important. While you may want to arrive sooner to find an apartment and prepare for school, U.S. law prohibits you from doing so. The only exception is for students who have transferred their SEVIS record from another school to NYU.

3) What to Do: Arriving at a U.S. Port of Entry

When you arrive at a port of entry to the U.S. you must present the following items:

• a passport valid at least six months into the future,
• your F-1 or J-1 visa (if you are Canadian you do not need an F-1 or J-1 visa),
• your I-20 or DS-2019,
• copies of your admission letter and financial documents, 
• and evidence that you have paid the SEVIS fee if you are a new student.

4) Getting from the Airport to your final NYC Destination

There are three airports in the New York area:

• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• LaGuardia Airport
• Newark Liberty International Airport

Before arriving at the airport, you should have a plan for how you will travel from there to your final destination. There are many options for ground transportation, including taxis, car services, shuttle buses, subways, and trains. If you choose to travel into the city by car, the most convenient option, yellow taxis, are usually less expensive than car services. You can check the airports' websites for more information.

5) Once You Are in the U.S., Attend a Check-In Workshop

You may sign up for this required workshop before you enter the U.S. If you don't attend this workshop you may lose your student status and hence your permission to remain in the U.S.