What to Expect When You Arrive

You may enter the U.S. no more than 30 days prior to the start date listed on your I-20/DS-2019. Students should plan to arrive in Buffalo in January, keeping in mind the required quarantine guidance. 

Orientation begins Monday, August 23, 2021 and classes begin on Monday, August 30, 2021. 

You will need to carry the documents below with you. Do not pack them in your luggage because you will need to show them to the immigration inspector when you enter the U.S.

• Passport
• U.S. Visa Stamp
• I-20 or DS-2019
• Proof of SEVIS Fee payment
• Financial Documents

• Marriage certificate (for spouse)
• Birth certificate(s) (for children)
• Health and immunization records

First, after deplaning you will proceed to passport control.

• An immigration officer will inspect your passport, U.S. visa stamp, I-20 or DS-2019, and financial documentation.
• You will provide ten fingerprints and be photographed.
• Finally, once admitted to the U.S., you will be issued an I-94. Paper I-94 cards are only issued at land borders (U.S. Canadian Border or U.S. Mexican Border). If you make your initial entry to the U.S. from a land border, the inspector will stamp your I-94 card, write your visa category and “D/S” on it, and return all your immigration documents to you. If arrive in the U.S. by plane, your I-94 will be electronic. To view and print your electronic I-94, visit https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home.

Second, you will proceed to the baggage claim area and go through customs.

• At your first city of arrival in the U.S., you will collect your checked baggage (even if this city is not your final destination).
• A customs inspector may examine your luggage to see what you are bringing into the U.S.
• It is important to declare certain items at the border, including plants, certain foods and large amounts of money.
• You must declare to the officer any amount of money above $10,000 that you are carrying. This includes cash, money order, certified check, travelers’ checks or letter of credit. If you don’t, it can be seized.
• After exiting the customs area, you will place your baggage on the "re-check" belt or give it to the baggage attendant (your bags will then continue to Buffalo or to your final destination).

• Buffalo Niagara International Airport is a medium-sized airport and has been recognized as the number one medium-sized airport in the U.S.
• The arrivals and baggage claim areas are on the lower level.
• A currency exchange office is available on the upper level. However, this office is open only for limited hours and only converts Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars. Therefore, we recommend that you exchange your local currency to U.S. dollars in your home country or at a U.S. bank after you arrive.

To get to UB or your temporary housing from the airport you can hire a taxi or request a ride via Uber or Lyft. 

• Airport Taxi Service (ATS) charges approximately $30 to drive one person to UB’s North Campus and $20 to UB’s South Campus. It should take 15-20 minutes to reach either campus from the airport. While not required, it is common to give the taxi driver (and any airport staff) a small tip if they help you with your bags ($1 – $2 per bag is appropriate).
• Uber and Lyft are available in Buffalo. To get to North Campus, use “University at Buffalo” as your destination for ride sharing. 
• For directions to UB by car, bus or train, visit UB’s comprehensive direction site.

Once you arrive in Buffalo you should:

• Finish your New International Student Check-in
• Submit your Immunization Records to Health Services (if you have not already done so)
• Pick-up your UB ID Card in 1Capen

On September 28th, 2020 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed an executive order reminding international travelers entering New York from Level 2 and 3 countries to quarantine and fill out the NYS Department of Health traveler health form to further prevent the spread of COVID-19.

For additional information please visit coronavirus.health.ny.gov. 

Students coming to campus should understand and follow both local town and UB campus guidelines for self-quarantining and social distancing based on where they are coming from and where they will stay. 

UB guidelines and information on these policies is available on the Student Life Gateway and UB's COVID informational pages. 

On January 12, 2021, CDC issued an Order requiring all air passengers arriving to the US from a foreign country to get tested no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to provide proof of the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight. This Order will go into effect on January 26, 2021.

For more information please refer to the CDC's website.

If you are living on campus and have made arrangements for early arrival, please refer to the UB Campus Living website for information about check-in days and times.

Otherwise, please make temporary housing arrangements prior to your arrival in Buffalo. We do not recommend arriving on campus with lots of luggage and no place to spend the night, as it is very difficult to find permanent housing in one day.

Student Life partners with local hospitality companies to offer both convenience and value to guests visiting UB. If you're looking to stay at a local hotel be sure to check out these options.

If you're on campus before the start of the semester some campus dining locations may not be open yet. 

Here's a list of nearby stores popular with international students:

• Wegmans
• Tops
• Aldi 
• Whole Foods
• Walmart

If you are living off-campus and you need access to grocery or prepared foods delivery, the following apps will connect you to resources that provide delivery services.

Grocery Services

• Instacart - Buy food from your favorite grocery stores with contactless delivery and pickup    
• Wegmans Meals 2GO - Order delicious restaurant food and catering for delivery, curbside, or carryout from this popular grocery store chain.
  • 675 Alberta Dr, Amherst, NY 14226 is the store location that is the closest to both North campus and South campus 

Restaurant Delivery

• Appétit- This new and user-friendly app created by Buffalo locals is dedicated to social responsibility. Unlike other food-delivery apps, this one prioritizes local business and provides detail-rich recommendations. Check out their website by clicking here.
• Uber Eats- American online food ordering and delivery platform 
• Door Dash- Restaurant delivery service with a wide range of culinary options
• Grubhub- Offers delivery and pick-up choices from various local eateries

All of these apps are available on Google Play and the App Store. They are free to download.

There are plenty of shopping options near campus if you're looking for clothing, bedding, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and more.

• Walmart
• Target
• Boulevard Mall
• Walden Galleria Mall