Office of International
Students & Scholars
International Center
421 Temple Street
New Haven, CT 06511
USA

Phone: 203.432.2305
Fax: 203.432.7166
email: oiss@yale.edu

Your Arrival in New Haven

On this page:


How to Get to New Haven

There are no direct international flights to the Greater New Haven area. Most students arrive at JFK Airport in New York. There are three additional airports convenient to New Haven: Newark Airport in Newark, New Jersey; LaGuardia Airport in Queens, New York; Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut.

Shuttle bus and train services are available from each airport, generally a two to three hour ride from New York or Newark, or a one hour ride from Hartford. See our Living at Yale: Transportation & Travel section for more information.

When to Arrive in New Haven

You can arrive in the U.S. no earlier than 30 days before the start date on your I-20 or DS-2019. You should arrive in time to arrange your housing and attend any orientation programs held before the beginning of classes. Check with your school to see when you are required to be on campus. Be sure to check this Web site for information about orientation programs. When arranging your flight arrival time and ground transportation, remember that most off-campus landlords and Yale dorms do not have 24-hour check-in.

Reporting to OISS

When you arrive in New Haven, visit your accommodations and then report to OISS and to your school. U.S. immigration regulations require that you report to OISS, and failure to do so could result in loss of your legal status in the U.S. Bring your passport, I-20 or DS-2019 and I-94 card documents with you, along with those of any accompanying family members. When you check in with OISS, we will provide you with information and assistance to help you settle into your new surroundings.

International Center (IC)

The IC offers events and programs of interest to the Yale international community. In addition to the administrative services of OISS, you are encouraged to make use of the Center’s many resources. Drop in, study, enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, tea or coffee, play a game of chess, surf the Internet, and simply enjoy the welcoming space. Check the calendar of events regularly, and enjoy taking part in the life of the community.

Financial Information

The cost of university education in the U.S. is very high. It is very important that you carefully plan your budget to meet all of your expenses. If you have been awarded a University fellowship or assistantship, you will not receive your first living allowance until the middle of your first month at Yale, usually September 15. If you have any questions or concerns, see the information in your admission letter, and contact the financial aid office of your school prior to your arrival.

You must arrive fully prepared to meet all of the expenses you will incur. We recommend that you have enough money available on arrival for temporary accommodations, clothing, books, household expenses, insurance payments, etc. If you will live off-campus, you will need to include additional expenses such as rental deposits, start-up service fees for electric, gas, phone, etc. Do not carry this amount in cash. You may wish to exchange a small amount of money into U.S. dollars before leaving home to cover expenses for your first few days ($100-200). Note that some shops in the U.S. are reluctant or will refuse to accept any denominations higher than a $20 bill. Your other options:

  • Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are located at airports and throughout New Haven. You may be able to use your home bank card in these ATMs but we recommend that you check with your home bank, including the possibility of additional charges or fees.
  • Traveler’s checks in U.S. dollars can be purchased at most banks around the world.
  • Wire Transfers from your home bank to a bank in New Haven can be accessed immediately after opening an account. Ask about international wire transfer fees before you agree to open an account (generally $10-40).
  • Bank Drafts from your home bank can be used to open a local bank account in New Haven, but you may not withdraw funds from the account until the check has been approved for collection. The process generally takes 10-15 days, so do not rely upon a bank draft for immediate cash. A list of local New Haven banks can be found in the Living at Yale section of this Web site.


Housing

Undergraduate students will be automatically assigned on -campus housing and will receive information from Yale College. For Graduate Students, the Living at Yale section of this Web site contains information about oncampus housing, living off-campus in New Haven, housing resources, and detailed information on leases, security deposits, subletting, and related matters.

With the exception of Yale University Properties, do not sign a lease for any property that you have not seen in person. A lease is a legally binding agreement and there is no simple way to break it. Even if you were to find the conditions to be uninhabitable, you would still be responsible for the rent payment for the terms of the lease. You are also responsible for the rental costs of the remaining months if you leave before your lease expires. You can expect to pay at least $700/month for a one bedroom apartment, $1,000/month for a two bedroom apartment and a minimum of $400/month for a room in a shared apartment. Most apartments are rented unfurnished. Students looking for short term leases can use the resources found on the Housing page of the Living at Yale section of this Web site and the YaleInternational Listserv to search for sublets. Temporary housing, such as a hotel or bed-and-breakfast, is expensive, so students with spouses or families may want to come alone to find housing.

Mailing/Shipping Baggage

OISS cannot accept or store packages or luggage. Please do not send baggage to this office. If you plan to live oncampus, check with your residence hall about package delivery instructions. Information about packing will be available on this Web site by the middle of the summer.

Climate and Clothing

The weather in New Haven is quite variable. From November to April the temperature can drop as low as 5° F (-15°C) with both rain and snow. In the summer, temperatures can rise as high as 95° F (35°C) with high humidity. You will need both lightweight clothing and warm winter clothes in addition to an umbrella and raincoat.

Driving in Connecticut

Refer to Living at Yale for information on driving in Connecticut. Be sure to obtain an International Driver Permit (IDP) before leaving for the U.S. if you plan to drive on the license from your country. An IDP is only obtainable outside the U.S. and can be purchased through a local travel agent or driver’s club. It is a booklet which translates your valid foreign license into many languages, including English. You are only permitted to drive in the U.S. for up to one year with a valid foreign license and an IDP. The IDP is advised as the best option for DSR and VAR students, as Connecticut will not issue a driver’s license to students in the U.S. for less than 6 months.

Spouses and Children

International Spouses and Partners at Yale (ISPY) was created to help address the needs of the international spouses and partners community. ISPY has become a truly international group by having active international as well as American members. This social and informative network organizes events, groups, and meetings throughout the year. To be in touch with this group, send an email to: I_SPY-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

If you have school age children, remember to bring their vaccination and medical records, as well as birth certificates and all school records. You will be required to present these documents before your child can enter school or daycare. Also keep in mind that it is advisable to consider the options for schools before you make a decision about where you will live. Information about public and private schools in New Haven and the surrounding communities can be found on the Living at Yale section of this Web site. If you have specific questions about daycare and/or education options for your children, please contact OISS at oiss@yale.edu.

Personal Safety

While it is unlikely that you will encounter problems when you arrive in any U.S. city, you should follow "common sense" safety practices while traveling. New Haven is an urban environment. Stay aware of your surroundings and follow your instincts as you would in any large city. For important details on staying safe, please consult our Web page on Personal Safety. You can also familiarize yourself with Yale Security Services by visiting their Web site.

Students with Disabilities

Yale University provides assistance to students with disabilities through university programs, activities, and special services. If you have a disability and need more information or access to these services, contact the Yale Resource Office on Disabilities.