Students who have the Form I-20 (F-1 students) or the Form DS-2019 (J-1 students) must pay the $100 SEVIS fee. After paying the SEVIS fee, take the Form I-20 or Form DS-2019, your valid passport, and evidence of financial support to the U.S. embassy or consulate closest to you to apply for an F-1 visa (with Form I-20) or a J-1 visa (with Form DS-2019.) Bring all of these documents with you when you come to Purdue. You should also carry original financial documents as proof to support the funding listed on your Form I-20 or Form DS-2019. A United States immigration officer will review them when you enter the U.S.

New immigration law limits arrival into the U.S. to no more than 30 days prior to the report date listed on Form I-20 or Form DS-2019.

Plan your trip so that you will arrive on or before June 6th for Orientation and to register for classes. Be certain your travel arrangements are made to Lafayette, Indiana, U.S.A. There are several cities in the United States named Lafayette. Be certain you are routed to Indiana.

If you fly to Indianapolis, we recommend that you take the Lafayette Limo, a mini-van service to Purdue University. The Limo leaves the Indianapolis airport every 2 hours beginning at 6:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. Travel time from the airport to the Purdue Memorial Union (inform your driver that this is your destination) is about 1 ½ hours. You may phone: 765-497-3828, or e-mail: laflimo@tctc.com or use their website http://www.lafayettelimo.com/ to make a reservation.

If you plan to travel through Chicago, you should plan on either obtaining a connecting flight to Indianapolis, Indiana, or reserving a seat on the Express Air Coach mini-van service between Chicago O'Hare airport and the Purdue Campus. The Express Air Coach webpage for making reservations is: http://www.expressaircoach.com/

There is currently no direct bus, train, or mini-van service from Detroit to the Purdue campus.

Students who accept housing contracts may move in anytime after 9AM on the beginning date printed on the contract, for the Summer Session that begins on Monday, June 9th. If you plan to arrive earlier than this date, please contact the Housing Secretary at (Tel: 765-494-1000) or (FAX: 765-496-0718) to see if your room can be ready prior to the beginning date. Do not assume it will be ready early without confirming!

You may contact one of the International Student groups to see if they can meet you on arrival (click here for list). You can also take a taxi to your place of residence. The two local taxi services are Four Star Taxi (Tel.: 765-742-8400) and Twin City Taxi (Tel.: 765-447-1234).