{"id":6626,"date":"2024-07-08T14:42:56","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T18:42:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/iso\/?page_id=6626"},"modified":"2025-09-17T14:12:35","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T18:12:35","slug":"arrival","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/iso\/visas\/arrival\/","title":{"rendered":"Traveling to and Arriving in the US"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":46,"featured_media":0,"parent":4636,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"class_list":["post-6626","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"lead_in":"","display_title":"","subtitle":"","call_to_action":"","hero_image_placement":"no_image","hero_media":"images","hero_pattern_option":"","hero_video":"","hero_image_landing":"","hero_image_landing_two":"","hero_image_landing_three":"","content_modules":[{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion_new","anchor_id":"","classes":"mt-0 pt-0","title":"","description":"There\u2019s a lot to do and think about when planning for your trip to Rochester. We've put together a handy guide to help with your travel plans, including financial considerations, packing essentials, and what to do when you\u2019ve arrived.\r\n\r\nReport your arrival to the University<\/a>","background":"plain","background_color":"#ffffff","style":"row_blank","expand":"no","accordions":[{"acf_fc_layout":"title","sub_heading":"Booking and coordinating your travel plans"},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Coordinate your travel plans with your department","icon":"","row_content":"Once your visa is approved, you\u2019ll need to coordinate your trip to the US, keeping in mind the date your department expects you to arrive. This date is set to align with orientation programs or housing access restrictions, or other University activities. You may also have travel restrictions based on your specific visa status<\/a>.\r\n\r\nNote:<\/strong> F-1 and J-1 visa holders are expected to arrive no later than the start date listed on your initial I-20 or DS-2019. If your travel is delayed for any reason, you may need a new document to enter the country.\r\n\r\nReference our Visa Categories page<\/a>\u00a0for more information.","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Book flights directly into Rochester, New York (ROC)","icon":"","row_content":"While you may find cheaper flights to other airports in New York State, getting to Rochester from there can be time-consuming and expensive. Though most international flights arrive at a different initial Port of Entry, you can schedule a domestic flight to Rochester on the same day.","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Avoid the New York City misconception","icon":"","row_content":"Rochester is more than 300 miles away from New York City, which means either an additional 50-minute flight, six hours of driving, or a seven-hour train or bus ride. We recommend traveling directly to Rochester if possible.","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"title","sub_heading":"Gathering your things"},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Have money on-hand","icon":"","row_content":"You\u2019ll likely need immediate access to money as you get settled in Rochester. The exact amount you\u2019ll need depends on various factors, such as whether you\u2019re living in campus housing<\/a>, have a University dining plan, are bringing family members, or plan to buy furniture or a vehicle.\r\n\r\nEven if you open a US bank account<\/a>\u00a0when you arrive, there might be some delay in having access to that money while the account is being set up. Please plan ahead and bring some money with you.\r\n\r\nWhen you arrive, you must declare all money to the US Customs and Border Patrol Agent at the Port of Entry.","accordion_anchor":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Prepare for Rochester weather","icon":"","row_content":"Rochester\u2019s weather varies substantially throughout the year.\r\n\r\nSummer months (June\u2013September) are often very warm and breezy, with daytime temperatures between 70\u00b0F and 85\u00b0F (21\u00b0\u201330\u00b0C). During the winter months (November\u2013March), temperatures can drop below 10\u00b0F (-12\u00b0 C), with even lower wind chills and frequent snow accumulations. Other months are more moderate in temperature.\r\n\r\nCheck out current weather information in Rochester from The Weather Channel<\/a>.\r\n\r\nDuring the coldest months, you will need:\r\n