Coming to RISD

• Clothing: You should bring clothing for all weather. Temperatures in RI range from 18–37 degrees celsius in summer (June–September) to -3–6 degrees celsius with snow in winter (December–March). To help prepare, you can view monthly weather projections on weather.com.
• Art supplies: Wait until you arrive to buy art materials. You will receive very specific supply lists for each class you take here.
• Housing supplies and bedding: Buy these when you arrive or order ahead and schedule delivery to RISD.

Upon landing in the US, be ready to present all important documents to Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These include:

• original I-20 (bring any previous I-20s you have as well)
• passport (must be valid for at least six months after arrival)
• F-1 student visa (Canadian citizens do not require a visa before entry)
• declaration of finances form and supporting bank statements (same as those that you brought to your visa interview)
• RISD acceptance letter
• any other official forms of personal identification

Your airline will give you a form to complete and then give to the CBP officer as you go through Customs. The information you provide will be entered into the automated I-94 system and become your arrival/departure document.

• Provide all necessary documents to the CBP officer (see “Arriving in the US” above) for the CBP inspection process.
• Upon review, the CBP officer will stamp your I-20 and F-1 student visa. Make sure to enter the US with the F-1 student visa and that the CBP does not record you as a tourist.
• If the officer determines that they need to search your electronic device(s)—these are subject to search—you may need to complete a supplemental questions for visa applicants form.
• If you experience trouble making it through Customs, call RISD Public Safety at +1 401 454–6376. They will put you in touch with us for advice.
• Direct any complaints you have about CBP to either a CBP supervisor or commander. If you need to discuss your complaint further, speak with your international student advisor when you arrive on campus.

Once you arrive, CBP records your information electronically. This will become your I-94 record. To retrieve your electronic I-94*, do as follows:

• Get your most recent I-94 from the Department of Homeland Security’s official I-94 website. (You will read the notification and select “Consent and Continue” to proceed.)
• Provide the required information and select “Next” to access to your current I-94.
• Check your I-94 to confirm your name, all personal information, visa category and expiration date of authorized stay. Your expiration date should read “D/S” (Duration of Stay). The name on your I-94 should match that on your passport.
• If you find errors, contact CBP as soon as possible. You can contact us for help reaching CBP.
• If you don’t find errors, print your I-94. Keep it with your I-20 and passport.
• When you arrive at RISD, bring all your immigration documents to our office in Carr House (210 Benefit Street, room 303, Providence, RI 02903).
• You will not receive a paper I-94 unless you enter the US by car or boat.

Bank of America
215 Atwells Avenue
Providence, RI 02903
401 228-0172
Hours: Mon–Fri, 9 am–5 pm; Sat 9 am–2 pm

Chase
234 Thayer Street
Providence, RI 02906
401 824-0706
Hours: Mon–Fri, 9 am–5 pm; Sat 10 am–2 pm

Citizens Bank
30 Kennedy Plaza, Suite 101
Providence, RI 02903
401 456-7010
Hours: Mon–Fri, 9 am–4 pm

Santander
One Financial Plaza
Providence, RI 02903
401 752-1900
Hours: Mon–Thurs, 9 am–5 pm; Fri 9 am–6 pm

TD Bank
180 Westminster Street, Suite 7
Providence, RI 02903
401 455-2900
Hours: Mon–Thurs, 8:30 am–6 pm; Fri 8:30 am–7 pm; Sat 9:30 am–1 pm

The following phone and service providers are located in the Providence Place Mall at 1 Providence Place, Providence, RI 02903

AT&T (passport required)
401 270-4903
Schedule an appointment

T-Mobile (ID required for postpaid accounts; no documents required for prepaid services)
401 383-3112

Verizon
401 270-4330
Schedule an appointment (schedule before going to the store)