Printer Friendly- What to Expect at Customs and Immigration
- When Should I Arrive?
- How to Get to Lowell from Logan Airport
- Shuttle and Hotel Services
Before you leave home, be certain that your passport and all immigration documents are readily accessible. DO NOT PACK THESE IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE! If your financial documents were not enclosed in an envelope by the visa officer, be sure these are also available.
What to Expect at Customs and Immigration
If you are traveling to the United States by plane, you will be given a form to complete shortly before you land. If you are entering by land, the form will be given to you at the border. This multi-part form is called an Arrival/Departure Record and is also known as an I-94. On it, you must provide the following information: your name (record it EXACTLY as it appears in your passport), your date of birth, your intended destination in the United States, your reason for coming to this country and a variety of other details. The number on the Form I-94 will be recorded in SEVIS when you are permitted to enter the United States and becomes your "admission" number and an identification number on your immigration records. You also will be asked to complete a customs declaration and may, at actual entry, be asked to open your suitcases for inspection and to pay customs taxes. When you arrive in this country, you must present the immigration officer with your passport, visa documents and the completed Form I-94. The official will review your documentation and may ask questions about your plans. He/she will probably enter your name and other personal details in a computer and check for any data that may exist from other trips here.
You should be aware that the immigration officer has the right to refuse to permit you to enter the country and that there is no appeal of this decision. While this rarely happens, it can. It occurs when there is doubt about the validity of documents or purpose in coming to the United States, when someone attempts entry with an inappropriate visa status or when immigration records indicate that an individual has had immigration problems or criminal convictions during a previous trip to this country.
In most cases, entry is uneventful and relatively simple. An entry stamp will be placed in your passport, part of the form I-94 will be stapled in your passport and the Form I-20/DS-2019 will be returned to you. PLEASE BE CERTAIN THAT THESE THREE THINGS TAKE PLACE. IF THEY DO NOT, IMMEDIATELY BRING THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE IMMIGRATION OFFICER. Each time you depart the United States (except for trips to Canada/Mexico), the I-94 will be collected and your date of departure recorded.
Please note that your "visa" is useful only for entry to the United States. It has nothing to do with how long you can remain here and, if it expires during your stay, this will not be a problem if you have maintained status.
When should I arrive?
If you will be living off campus, we suggest you arrive a few weeks before the start of the semester in order to get acclimated, search for an apartment, explore on campus job opportunities, submit required documents, talk with faculty and other graduate students before registering for courses, etc. If you will be living on campus, arriving one week early will provide you with more than enough time to adjust (be sure you check when you can move into on-campus housing and plan accordingly). You should plan to arrive at the University on a weekday during business hours.
Logan International Airport in Boston is the closest international airport to Lowell. Given the large number of international students and wide range of arrival dates, UML does not provide airport pick up. If there is a graduate student organization from your country listed on the University Web site, you may contact the appropriate representative to try to arrange airport pick up or you can choose one of the options detailed in the next section. A list of international student organizations and respective contact information is listed on this Web site.
How to get to Lowell from Logan Airport
Make sure you have enough small bills in US currency ($1, $5, $10, $20) to pay for your transportation. Most van services will accept a credit card, but you will need cash for the commuter train.
There are several ways to get to Lowell from Logan International Airport in Boston.
- Take a taxi from the airport to Lowell. It will cost you around $60-$80.
- Use a private van service, such as the ones listed below. Fares may vary and reservations are recommended.
Shuttle Services
JT'S Airport Shuttle Service
John Warren, Owner
27 Royalston Avenue Lowell, MA. 01851 Phone: 978-256-1307
TWC AIRPORT LIMO John DaSilva - President 33 Nabnasset Street Westford, MA. 01886 Phone: 978-692-8880 Fax: 978-251-0353 Email John.
FLIGHT LINE
Phone: 1-800-245-2525
Take the free shuttle bus to get to the subway station. Follow the signs, or stop at the information desk to ask where to get the shuttle bus to Airport Station. From Airport Station, take the "Blue Line" inbound to Government Center. Get off the train at Government Center and transfer to the "Green Line" to get to North Station. From North station, take the "Commuter Train" to Lowell. After arriving in Lowell, take a taxi to get to your destination. This option should cost you around $15-20, including tip for the taxi driver.
Take a taxi to North Station. From North Station, take the "Commuter Train" to Lowell. After arriving in Lowell take a taxi to get to your final destination. This option should cost approximately $30.
If you choose to use the subway and/or commuter rail, please also visit the MBTA Web site. This Web site provides a map of the entire transportation system in Massachusetts and will help you become familiar with the system before you arrive.
Hotel Information
Courtyard by Marriott
30 Industrial Ave.
Lowell, MA 01852
978-458-7575
800-321-2211
Double Tree Inn
50 Warren St.
Lowell, MA 01852
978-452-1200
800-222-8733