Transportation and Visa
Transportation
East lansing is a lively city near the Lansing city. There are mutiple ways for you to get there:
LAN: The closest airport to MSU is Lansing Capital Region International Airport (LAN). If you want to fly directly into Lansing, you will have to fly through another city in the U.S., usually Detroit or Chicago. Taxi service is available from the Lansing Capital Region International Airport to take you to your residence or Marriott. Taxi fee by Uber or Lyft from LAN to Marriott is around $20 (fee may change based on the circumstance).
DTW-Michigan Flyer: Many international visitors would prefer to choose fly to Detroit Metro Airport (DTW), where the Michigan Flyer bus company offers comfortable and inexpensive coach bus rides from Detroit to East Lansing. The Michigan Flyer bus stop in East Lansing is at the Marriott hotel, the final stop of each trip, which is very convenient for conference participants. The Michigan Flyer bus runs several times a day and each trip takes about two hours. You can choose to buy your bus ticket online before flying to Detroit: Michigan Flyer to save some money. If you choose to pay your fee in cash right on the spot, the corresponding fee will be slightly higher, you will need to pay the exact amount since usually the driver may not make change.
There are two Michigan Airport shuttle stations in Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) : McNamara Terminal and North Terminal. Please note that you need to know which station you schedule to board at and find out the correct pick-up time of that station. You can find the schedule and route here: Michigan-flyer-schedules. Also you can find which station you will arrive from you airline ticket, different airline has different choice. (For example, If you choose Delta Air Lines, you will arrive at McNamara Terminal. If you are flying with United Airlines Long Haul, you will disembark at the North Terminal.)
ORD-AmTrak: Another way to access East Lansing is to fly to Chicago O 'Hare International Airport (ORD) and then catch an AmTrak train from downtown Chicago Union Station (CHI) to East Lansing, Michigan (LNS). The trip takes about 4 hours. After getting to east lansing station, you can choose to walk to Marriott which takes around 40 minutes from Amtrak East Lansing to Marriott. Taxi might also be a good choice, through Uber or Lyft it may take around $15 to get to Marriott (fee may change based on the circumstance).
Driving: If you choose to drive to Marriott, the GPS destination address is: 300 M. A. C. Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823. Marriott has its own parking lots with many parking positions. There are also some parking lots nearby.
Visa
Prepare for Visa:
For every international participants, you need to pay attention and prepare your visa in advance. The United States has updated its visa policy for increased security. As a result, it now takes longer to obtain a visa. Advance planning by travelers is essential to avoid frustration and disappointment.
Normally, a international visitor should apply for a US visa at a US Consulate or Embassy in his/her country of residence following these simple steps:
Check if you need a visa (or renew a visa).
Choose the type of US visa you will apply for (such as J-1 Visa).
Fill in the Non-immigrant visa Application Form DS-160.
Pay your application fee.
Schedule visa interview.
Compile the document file.
Attend the visa interview.
Wait for processing.
Visa Letters
A visa support letter can be provided for authors and registered attendees upon request. To allow sufficient time for processing, please submit your requests for letters of support well in advance of your interview dates, to isem2025@egr.msu.edu All requests should include complete name (as in your passport) and current mailing address, email address, phone number as this information is to be included in the letter for submission to the US Consulate. Also please contact isem2025@egr.msu.edu for additional visa assistance queries.
Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP), administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in consultation with the State Department, permits citizens of some countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa. Since its inception in 1986, the VWP has evolved into a comprehensive security partnership with many of America’s closest allies. The VWP utilizes a risk-based, multi-layered approach to detect and prevent terrorists, serious criminals, and other mala fide actors from traveling to the United States. This approach incorporates regular, national-level risk assessments concerning the impact of each program country’s participation in the VWP on U.S. national security and law enforcement interests. It also includes comprehensive vetting of individual VWP travelers prior to their departure for the United States, upon arrival at U.S. ports of entry, and during any subsequent air travel within the United States.
Check the Waiver list on the official website with more information: Visa Waiver Program Requirements
Passports
Visitors traveling to the United States are required to be in possession of passports that are valid for six months beyond the period of their intended stay in the United States. You can check with the website, https:/www.cbp.gov, to confirm that your passport is compliant. Temporary Passports will likely merit special scrutiny. To avoid complications, check with your local US consular offices, well ahead of your intended departure dates.
Citizens of some countries may be exempt from the six-month rule and need only to have a passport valid for their intended period of stay. You can find more information here: https://www.cbp.gov/document/bulletins/six-month-validity-update
Custom and Border Protection:
When you attempt to enter U.S. through the land border or international airport, you always need to pass through the Custom, which has many regulations and identity check for safety. Valid photo ID such as a passport, driver’s license, military ID card or other state or federally issued form of ID is usually needed to confirm your identity.
There are many reference information on the official website of Custom and Border Protection, you can use these two websites as references: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/know-before-you-visit, https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors.
