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Illinois State University is located in the central part of the United States, in the State of Illinois, and in the cities of Bloomington and Normal. Bloomington-Normal is a growing and friendly community and we hope you will enjoy your stay here. Many people coming to the university arrange their flight plans so they land in our closest, big city: Chicago, Illinois. ISU is about 3 hours south of Chicago O'Hare and Midway International Airports. Once you arrive in Chicago, you will need to take a bus or another plane south to Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. (Do not hire a taxi because it is extremely expensive!)
There are two main ways that you may most conveniently reach Bloomington-Normal, Illinois:
Note: There are several cities in the United States with the name of "Bloomington." Be sure to arrange your travel plans to Bloomington, ILLINOIS!
When you first land in America and go through “Customs and Border Protection” at the airport, you will show the inspector your Immigration papers and your passport. You must also show your “I-94 Arrival/Departure Card” (which is a little white card that you will receive on the plane and fill in before your flight lands).
If you are given permission to enter the United States, the inspector will stamp your passport and your I-20 or DS-2019. Your I-94 card will also be stamped to show your “date of entry” and how long you may stay in the U.S. Your I-94 card will then be stapled into your passport, usually on the page opposite your visa.
When traveling, be sure to carry your Immigration documents on your person rather than putting them away in your checked luggage. You must be able to find and show your papers quickly at various points during your trip.
Please be sure to tell your advisor in the International Studies Office and your ISU department how and when you plan to arrive. This will allow International Studies to arrange a date for your orientation seession, and make any Immigration adjustments should you be arriving later than originally expected; and it will help your hosting department to make arrangements for meeting you at our local airport or bus station.
Should you be arriving late in the evening, and need to arrange for alternate transportation, please call any of the following TAXI companies:
Beyer Twin City Cab: (309) 829-7923
Circle City Cab: (309) 829-5342
If you will need to stay in a hotel when you first arrive, please click here for accomodations in Bloomington-Normal.
Before your flight lands in the United States, you will be asked to complete a small, white “I-94 Card.” Upon your arrival, you will be asked to present your passport with your visa, your I-94 card and your DS-2019 (if you have the J-1 visa) to the immigration inspector at the airport. Make sure these items are with you rather than in your luggage. If you are admissible to the U.S., your passport/visa will be stamped to show your “date of entry” and the length of time for which your stay is authorized. Your I-94 card may be stapled in your passport, usually on the page opposite your entry visa.
To read more about it, you may visit this helpful website:
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