• A valid passport from your own government
• A letter of acceptance from the University of St. Thomas
• A "Certificate of Eligibility" for a temporary stay in the U.S. (SEVIS I-20 form issued by the University).
• Financial documents to prove you have the funds required for at least a year's stay in the U.S. (as indicated on the SEVIS I-20)
• The International Student Advisor's letter to the visa issuing officer at the U.S. Consular Office

You may also need to provide proof of ties to your home country, such as job offers, evidence of ownership of a residence or property in your home country, or copies of bank statements from a bank in your home country.

Entry Procedures

At the airport where you enter the U.S., Immigration officials will inspect your passport, visa, documents from the University of St. Thomas, and letters indicating how you will be financed while living in the U.S. Keep these items easily available. Do not pack them away in your luggage! 

The official should stamp your I-20 and the I-94 card (white card) you filled out on the plane. The I-94 card is very important because it shows your admission status. The number on this card, I-94 admission number, will be used for several purposes while you are in the U.S.

Getting to UST from the Airports

The University of St. Thomas is located at 3800 Montrose Boulevard in the Museum District of Houston. If you arrive on a Saturday or Sunday, you will find that the University, and most businesses, are closed.  If you arrive on a weekday, we invite you to visit the Admissions & International Student Offices between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm.  Unfortunately, we are unable to make arrangements to meet you at the airport.  Several transportation options are given below.

If you arrive at Houston Intercontinental Airport, you can use the Express Shuttle USA, 713/523-8888 or http://www.supershuttle.com/htm/cities/hou.htm, for the trip from the airport to the city of Houston. This will cost about $20.00. Ticket desks are located at the south side baggage claim area of each terminal. Buses are scheduled every thirty minutes from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. The shuttle drop-off closest to the University of St. Thomas is the Greenway Travel Center/Renaissance Hotel (about 3 miles away from the University of St. Thomas). After you arrive there, the most convenient way to travel to the campus is by taxi. It will cost about $15. The attendant at the terminal can give you directions.

Should you arrive to the airport after the last bus has left, you may wish to take a taxi for $44-$50 to your destination if you already have a place to stay on or near the UST campus (Yellow Cab: 713-236-1111, Liberty Cab: 713-695-6700, Taxi Fiesta: 713-236-9400). The drive into downtown Houston from Intercontinental Airport takes about 45 minutes. Alternatively, you may stay overnight at a hotel in the airport area. Some hotels in the airport vicinity provide free transportation from the airport to the hotel. It is not advisable to arrive in Houston late at night without an arranged place to stay.
 

If you arrive at Hobby Airport, you can use Express Shuttle USA from Hobby Airport to the Holiday Inn Hotel in the Medical Center (about 1 and 1/2 miles away from the University of St. Thomas) at a cost of $15. Buses are scheduled every thirty minutes from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.  After you arrive there, the most convenient way to travel to the campus is by taxi. It will cost about $10. The concierge at the hotel can give you directions.

A taxi from Hobby Airport to the UST area costs $25 (flat rate). Taxi fare is registered on a meter, and fares are fixed according to distance traveled. An additional charge may apply for heavy luggage such as trunks. There is no charge for a regular suitcase. Taxi drivers are customarily tipped about 15% of the fare.

Short-term Housing Needs

Students will be allowed to move into University housing on Saturday, August 21, 2004. If you have not already made housing arrangements please contact the Office of Residence Life to check availability.  Here are some suggestions for temporary housing until move-in day:

Hotels

Holiday Inn-Medical Center
6800 S. Main St.
Houston, TX 77030
Tel.: 713-528-7744
Rooms - single or double, (ask for the special University of St. Thomas rate)

Extended StayAmerica-Greenway Plaza
2330 Southwest Freeway
Houston, TX 77098
Tel.: 713-521-0063
Rooms -suites, rates starting at $309.00 per week or $69.00 per night plus tax

Residence Inn by Marriot - Downtown
904 Dallas Street
Houston, TX 77002
Tel.: 832-366-1000

Courtyard by Marriot - Downtown
916 Dallas Street
Houston, TX 77002
Tel.: 832-366-1000

Robin's Nest Bed and Breakfast
4104 Greeley Street
Houston, TX 77006
Tel: 713-528-5821

Please note that hotel rates include your room only and not your meals. All prices are subject to change. 15% tax is added to all hotel rates. If you would like the hotel discount for university students and personnel, please be sure to state this when making a reservation. Most hotels require paid reservations in advance or a major credit card account number. Unpaid reservations are usually lost after 6:00 p.m. unless the hotel is notified in advance of your late arrival plans. Once in your hotel room, you will notice a sign giving a check-out time. You will be charged an additional day's rate if you do not vacate your room by this time.

Youth Hostel and International Dormitory
In addition, there is a youth hostel and an international dormitory within a few miles of the University of St. Thomas, which offer low-cost, short-term accommodations:

Houston International Hostel
5302 Crawford at Oakdale
Tel.: 713/523-1009
http://www.houstonhostel.com/

Youth hostel members pay $14.95 per person plus $1.50 for the first night's linen rental. The hostel has dormitory-style rooms, with 6 people per room. It also has a kitchen with all utensils, a living room, laundry, free bicycle use, and lockers. Registration is between 8-10 a.m. or 5-11 p.m., or by arrangement. Reservations are available, but not required.

International House Dormitory
2719 Capitol Ave.
Houston, Texas 77003
Tel.: 713/237-8443

This is a low cost dormitory-style student residence located in downtown Houston, several miles from the University of St. Thomas, accessible to public transportation routes. Space is limited; please call in advance.