WHEN YOU ARRIVE TOPICS DISCUSSED

•  U.S. Customs 
• Transportation from Dallas/Fort Worth Airport 
• Temporary Housing
  • Dallas/Fort Worth Airport area
  • UT Southwestern Medical Center area
• Check-In Visit to the International Office

U.S. CUSTOMS

Upon arriving at the airport in the U.S., a customs inspector will ask you to declare what you have brought into the country. Items brought into the U.S. fall into two general categories:

1. Items that you will use.

These may be brought into the U.S. without paying duty/import taxes. They include: clothing, jewelry, toilet articles, sports and photographic equipment, one liter of alcoholic beverages (must be over 21 years of age), 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 3 pounds of smoking tobacco; and a car for your personal use, if imported in connection with your arrival.

2. Gifts.

You may bring gifts worth up to $100 into the country every six (6) months without paying duty. Up to 100 cigars may be included in the gift allowance. Duty must be paid on gifts worth more than $100.

Money (U.S. or foreign currency), travelers checks, money orders, or negotiable instruments in bearer form in any amount may be brought into or taken out of the U.S. However, a report must be filed with U.S. Customs at the time you arrive or depart with an amount exceeding $10,000, or the equivalent in foreign currency. A customs inspector can provide you with the required form. Certain articles are prohibited or restricted, including fruits, plants, meats, vegetables, clothing made from the skins of endangered species, lottery tickets, obscene articles and publications, switchblade knives, and drugs without a doctor's prescription.

 TRANSPORTATION FROM D/FW AIRPORT

Your department at UTSW may be willing to assist you with arrangements for transportation from the airport. You can obtain this service by using an airport courtesy telephone located in the baggage claim area. The DFW airport website has a comprehensive listing of various transportation options available at www.dfwairport.com/transport/.

A shuttle (van) will take you to most locations within the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex (which includes both cities and surrounding communities). The cost for a one-way fare from DFW Airport to the UT Southwestern campus is approximately $20 to the downtown area plus $8 for each additional passenger travelling with you. For a listing of samples fares, you can goto the website, www.supershuttle.com.

Taxi service is also available, but is considerably more expensive (approximately $35 from the airport to the UT Southwestern campus).

You may rent a sub-compact car for $25-50 per day (rates depend on availability). Lower rates, sometimes 10-20%, may be available through a travel agency or airline in your home country. Although reservations are recommended, you may rent a car at the airport when you arrive. Most rental companies accept an international driver's license. You will need a major credit card, such as Visa or MasterCard, to rent a car. In addition, some rental companies require that you be at least 25 years of age. Most car rental companies will provide a map of the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex upon request and will also give you directions to your destination.

Major car rental companies in the D/FW area include:

Advantage Rent-A-Car (972)458-2886 or (800)777-5500

Alamo Car Rental (800)327-9633

Avis Rent-A-Car (972)574-4130 or (800)331-1212

Budget Car Rental (800)527-0700

Dollar Car Rental (866)434-2226

Enterprise Rent-A-Car (972)586-1100

E-Z Rent-A-Car (972)574-3360

Hertz Rent-A-Car (972)453-4759 or (800)654-3131

National Car Rental (972)615-5400 or (800)227-3876

Thrifty Car Rental (972)453-5555

 TEMPORARY HOUSING

Your department at UTSW may be willing to assist you with arrangements for temporary housing. The University does not have any on or off-campus temporary housing. However, there are a number of hotels/motels in the area.

Be sure to ask for the UTSW special contract rate at any of the hotels listed near UTSW.

Hotel and motel rates range from $40 to $150 per day. Some of the more reasonably priced are:

TEMPORARY HOUSING NEAR D/FW AIRPORT 

The Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has a unique layout. The primary access road, International Parkway, splits the airport running north-south giving equal access from either north or south ends. Grapevine is adjacent to the north and Euless to the south. Irving, where most of the hotels near DFW are actually located, is about 4 miles east and southeast(toward Dallas) of DFW.

Hampton Inn & Suites, D/FW Airport, 1750 State Hwy 121 North, Grapevine, TX 76051

Hyatt Regency DFW, International Parkway, DFW Airport, TX 75261

La Quinta Inn, - D/FW Airport, 1001 W. Airport Freeway Euless, TX

Microtel Inn & Suites, 901 Airport Freeway Euless, TX 76040

Paramount Inn & Suites, 13954 Trinity Blvd. Euless, TX 76040

Ramada Limited, 2050 State Hwy. 121 North, Grapevine, TX 76051

 TEMPORARY HOUSING NEAR UT SOUTHWESTERN

Candlewood Suites, 7930 N. Stemmons Dallas, TX (214) 631-3333

Crowne Plaza Dallas Market Center, 7050 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX (214) 630-8500 ($55/night Medical Rate)

Courtyard by Marriott-Market Center, 2150 Market Center Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207. (214) 653-1166

Courtyard by Marriott-Dallas Stemmons, 2383 Stemmons Trail, Dallas, TX 75220. (214) 352-7676

Days Inn - Market Center Downtown, 4500 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX (214) 522-6650

Embassy Suites-Dallas Love Field, 3880 W. Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX 75220, (214) 357-4500

Fairfield Inn - Market Center, 2110 Market Center Blvd, Dallas, TX 75207. (214)760-8800 

Hawthorn Suites, 7900 Brookriver Dallas, TX (214) 688-1010

Hilton - Dallas/Park Cities, 5954 Luther Lane, Dallas TX 75225 (214) 368-0400

Holiday Inn, 1955 Market Center Blvd, Dallas, TX (214) 747-9551

Homewood Suites, 2747 N. Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX (214)819-9700

Magnolia Hotel, 1401 Commerce Street, Dallas TX (214) 915-6500

Radisson Dallas, 2330 W. Northwest Highway, Dallas, TX (214) 351-4477

Residence Inn - Dallas Market Center, 6950 N. Stemmons, Dallas, TX 75247, (214)631-2472

Sheraton - Brookhollow, 1241 Mockingbird, Dallas, TX (214) 630-7000

Doubletree Hotel Dallas - Campbell Centre, 8250 N. Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75206, (214)706-0187

For a comprehensive listing of hotels in Dallas, Forth Worth and surrounding areas, click here.

YOUR CHECK- IN APPOINTMENT AT THE INTERNATIONAL OFFICE

Before you can begin working at UT Southwestern, you must visit the International Office. During the check-in visit, we will assist you in completing several documents, discuss your visa status, and answer any questions you may have. You will also be provided with important information regarding health insurance and other requirements for maintaining compliance with the regulations. Please call (214) 648-2780 after you arrive in Dallas to schedule an appointment. Please bring your passport, immigration documents, and your social security card, if you have one from a previous stay in the U.S. While you are always welcome to call or visit our office, we appreciate your courtesy in making an appointment.