Arriving in the U.S.

Arriving to the United States

Welcome! You've Arrived! Please review the following information to guide you through the arrival process.

Unites States Port of Entry

All international passengers are processed at the U.S. Port of Entry (your first airport in the United States) and will need to go through Customs and Immigration before connecting to another flight or exiting the airport. 

Depending on the number of arrivals at the time, the lines can be long, and the process may take anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour. Please be patient and allow ample time for this procedure. 

Declaration Forms

During the flight to your Port of Entry or upon arrival, you will be asked to complete a customs declaration form. Filling out this form before you travel or during the flight can save you time after landing. 

Common restricted items that must be declared on the customs form include fruits and vegetables, plants, seeds and flowers, and meat and animal products. If you are unsure about an item you are traveling with, it's best to declare the item and ask a customs officer. 

Immigration Check

After de-boarding the plane, follow the signs to the immigration area. Have your passport, visa, and customs declaration form ready. Be prepared to answer questions about your trip, such as the purpose of your visit and where you will be staying. You may undergo biometric screening, including fingerprinting and a photo. 

Customs Inspection

After passing through immigration, all passengers need to collect their luggage and proceed to customs. Follow the signs to the baggage collection area and retrieve your luggage, ensuring you take the correct bag.

Once you have your luggage, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent may direct you to a secondary area for further inspection. If selected for this secondary inspection, an officer may ask additional questions about your declared items and may conduct a visual inspection of your luggage to check for items not allowed into the United States. 

There will be a final checkpoint before exiting the customs area. You will leave your completed customs declaration form with the officer at this checkpoint. 

Connecting Flights After Entry

If you have a connecting flight after going through immigration and customs, you may need to go through the security screening process again before proceeding. Some airports offer dedicated checkpoints for connecting passengers.  

If your luggage was checked through to your final destination, there may be a designated place to drop it. In some cases, your luggage may need to be re-screened and checked again.  

As always, pay attention to all signs and instructions and if you are confused at any point, ask an airport official.   

Reaching Your Final Destination

Baggage Claim. Once you reach your final airport, you will need to collect your checked luggage. Larger airports may have multiple luggage carousels. If this is the case, please refer to the monitors to ensure you are waiting at the correct carousel for your flight. Many bags and suitcases look alike. Make sure to identify your luggage by checking tags to ensure you don’t accidentally take somebody else’s bag. 

Missing or Damaged Luggage. Once you have retrieved your luggage, it’s a good idea to give it a brief inspection to ensure no unreasonable damage (broken wheels, handles, etc.) has occurred during transit. Take photos of the damage and proceed to the baggage help desk to file a report. 

If your bag doesn’t appear after a reasonable wait, inform your Host Institute right away and do not leave the airport. Proceed to the baggage help desk immediately and file a missing baggage report. Bring the airline’s luggage tag stub and be prepared to describe your luggage in detail. A photo may be helpful.  

Save any tracking or case numbers, as well as your luggage tickets. If it is necessary for you to make any purchases to replace lost items before your luggage is returned to you, save those receipts. 

Leaving the Airport. Upon your arrival, staff from your Host Institution will be at the airport to welcome you and transport you to your accommodation, which will be either at or near the host institution. 

Important: If your arrival time to the U.S. changes for any reason, promptly notify both the Mansfield Center Travel Team at mansfieldtravelassist@mso.umt.edu and your host institution with your updated travel schedule. 

If your Host Institution has specific instructions or arrangements for your airport pickup (such as meeting at a designated spot), these details will be communicated to you via email before your flight. 

Changes Affecting Arrival and Airport Pickup. Program staff will be at the airport to pick you up upon arrival. If your arrival time to the U.S. changes, notify both the Mansfield Center Travel Team at mansfieldtravelassist@mso.umt.edu and your host institution right away with your new travel schedule.  

Lost & Broken Baggage. If your baggage is lost or broken during travel, inform your Host Institute right away and do not leave the airport. Find a baggage help desk and file a report immediately. Take photos of the damage, and save any tracking or case numbers. Keep your luggage tickets and any receipts for items you buy to replace lost belongings.