Arriving in the U.S. - What to Expect

Traveling to the U.S. for the first time can be one of the most exciting and most stressful parts about becoming an international student. Knowing what to expect during the arrival process can make your trip a whole lot smoother. Below you'll find a quick guide to help you through.

As an international student at Iowa State, you will more than likely arrive at your Port of Entry first, prior to boarding a connecting flight to Des Moines. Common connection hubs for students coming to Iowa State include Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, but can be any major Port of Entry depending on where you are flying from and what airline you take.

Be sure to carry all necessary documents in your carry on bag.

Step 1 - Immigration and Customs

  • Passport Control: A CBP officer will check your passport and visa, and they’ll also look at your Form I-20 (for F-1 students) or DS-2019 (for J-1 students). They might ask a few questions about your plans in the U.S.—this is normal. ISSO also recommends having the following documents on hand just in case:
    • SEVIS Fee Receipt: Proof you’ve paid the SEVIS fee (Form I-901).
    • Admissions Letter: Have your Admissions letter on hand. If you've already registered for classes, it can be helpful to have a print out of your class schedule as well.
    • Financial Documents: Proof of funds, like bank statements or scholarship letters.
  • Biometrics: You’ll likely have your fingerprints taken and a quick photo snapped.
  • Customs Declaration: After immigration, grab your luggage and head through customs.

Step 2 - Secondary Inspection (if needed)

Sometimes, students are asked to go through a secondary inspection for more questions. Don’t stress—this is pretty routine. Just be honest and answer their questions.

Step 3 - Re-check Your Luggage and Go Through TSA

If you are boarding a connecting domestic flight at your Port of Entry, you will likely need to re-check your luggage with your airline and go back through security prior to boarding.

If CBP has any questions about your immigration record, I-20/DS-2019, or plans to study at Iowa State, they may contact ISSO. They already have our contact information, so you shouldn't need to provided it to them.

If you do need to contact us, you can contact us during business hours at 515-294-1120 or after hours by calling the ISU Police Department at 515-294-4428 to be connected to our emergency line.

Arriving in Des Moines

ISSO recommends that international students coming to study at Iowa State plan to arrive at the Des Moines International Airport, located in Des Moines, Iowa. 

Ames, Iowa, where the Iowa State University campus is located, is about 45 minutes north of Des Moines.

By the time you arrive in Des Moines, you should have already gone through immigration and cleared customs, so no further inspections are needed. Just follow signs for security, exit down the escalators, and head right toward baggage claim and transportation pick up.

ISSO Airport Shuttle

More information on the ISSO Airport Shuttle coming soon.

Airport Shuttle through UTS

You can book through UTS on your own. They offer both individual shuttles and group shuttles.

Information on booking and rates can be found on the UTS website.

Other Transportation Options

Private car options from the Des Moines International Airport are also available.

Here is a list of private car options that operate in the Des Moines/Ames area:

  • Executive Express
  • Uber
  • Lyft

August 3rd to August 20th

For graduate students arriving for Fall 2025, ISSO recommends that you arrive no earlier than August 3rd, as this is when early arrival housing options become open to you.

You must arrive by your program start date, which is August 20th.

If you are unable to arrive by August 20th, please reach out to the Office of Admissions at admissions@iastate.edu to request late arrival approval.