Students who have the Form I-20 (F-1 students) or the Form DS-2019 (J-1 students) for initial entry must pay the $100 SEVIS fee.  After paying the SEVIS fee, take the SEVIS fee receipt, 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 after August 16th for Pre-Orientation Check-in, Orientation, and to register for classes if you have not already done so. 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.