Although you can arrive in the United States as early as 30 days prior to the start date on your I-20, we do not recommend arriving in Cape Girardeau earlier than the recommended arrival dates (refer to your acceptance letter) because services are limited.

When you travel, make sure that you have all of the required documentation to show at the U.S. Port of Entry (POE). Carry these immigration documents with you on the plane--do not place them in checked luggage.

  • Valid passport
  • Valid F or J visa in your passport
  • Form I-20 or DS-2019
  • Proof of payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee
  • Financial documentation as evidence of ability to pay tuition and living expenses
  • Acceptance letter

U.S. immigration officials at the port of entry will make the final determination about your admissibility as a student. We recommend that you be polite and respectful with the Customs and Border Patrol officers and follow their instructions and requests. By doing so, you can expect to be treated politely and respectfully in return.

You must attend the school specified on your visa. If your visa was issued for another school, carry both I-20s with you but show your Southeast I-20 when entering. If asked, politely explain that you prefer to attend Southeast. Due to new processes, most students are referred to secondary inspection. If that occurs, remain calm and follow directions. Secondary inspection may take a while, but be patient and respectful in order to be admitted into the country via the port of entry.

Transferring from another U.S. institution If you transfer directly to Southeast without leaving the United States:

  • Inform the international student advisor at your current school of your intent to transfer to Southeast. Your advisor should make the necessary entry in SEVIS.
  • We will issue you the I-20 upon your arrival at Southeast.
If you travel outside the United States before transferring to Southeast:
  • Inform the international student advisor at your current school of your intent to transfer to Southeast. Your advisor should make the necessary entry in SEVIS.
  • Once your SEVIS record is transferred to Southeast, you can contact us to obtain an I-20.
  • Be sure that your visa is valid or obtain a new visa.
  • Present your Southeast I-20 to immigration officials at the port of entry.

To Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Plan your air and ground transportation keeping in mind the Recommended Arrival Dates.

Book your flight to Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, which is only 15 minutes away from campus, or to St. Louis Lambert International Airport, which is two hours away from the university. We recommend the direct flight options from Nashville, Tennessee (BNA) to the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport! To do this you must book your flight from your home country first to Nashville, Tennessee (BNA) then book a separate one-way flight from Nashville, Tennessee (BNA) to Cape Girardeau Regional Airport. 

The Office of International Education and Services offers pick-up services from Cape Girardeau Regional Airport during recommended arrival dates. Please fill out the required Arrival Information Form to informs us of your travel and flight information. If marked on the form, we will arrange for your pick up at the Cape Girardeau airport and have you taken to your dorm, off campus housing, or hotel if you haven't arranged for off campus or on campus housing prior to your arrival. Your student account will be charged $25 for the pick-up service. Keep in mind there is always a possibility of flights being cancelled. Please don't allow the airline to reroute you to another city if you have requested pick up in Cape Girardeau as we have no way of picking you up in St. Louis late notice. Please stay in Nashville until you can get on a flight to Cape.

Hotels may be required for St. Louis (or Cape Girardeau arrivals after 5 p.m.). You are responsible for the cost of the hotel stay, though you may qualify for a special rate.

If you are arriving at the Cape Girardeau airport, taxi service to Southeast Missouri State University costs under $20. To use this option, you should call the Cape Transit Authority at (573) 335-5535 when you arrive in Cape Girardeau. You will need to give your pickup location (Cape Girardeau airport) and the address where you want to be taken. You may have to wait for some time for the taxi to arrive. Visit the CTA website for more information. Options such as Lyft and Uber may also be available. 

If you are flying into St. Louis Lambert International Airport during the recommended arrival dates and request the Office of International Education and Services staff to pick you up, please fill out the required Arrival Information Form to informs us of your travel and flight information.  We will have a charter bus leaving from the Pear Tree Hotel – St. Louis Airport (that’s the name of the hotel) at 6 p.m. each day on January 7, 8 and 9 and this bus will take you to the Towers Dormitory complex in Cape Girardeau, which is a 2 hour drive. The cost for this is $75 per student and this will be charged to your student account. The bus only holds about 55 passengers each trip, so this is first come/first served as we can only accommodate so many students on each bus. Keep in mind we are anticipating about 400 new students, so it is still highly recommended you fly directly to Cape to ensure you don’t have issues getting from St. Louis to Cape Girardeau (especially with the chance of wintry weather causing flight delays).

If you not arriving during the recommended arrival dates or arriving at a different airport other than Cape Girardeau Airport, you will need to arrange your own transportation to Southeast Missouri State University. (Please still fill out the Arrival Information Form to let us know your arrival plans).

For additional transportation from the Saint Louis Airport please see the table below (All pricing based on information gathered in spring of 2022. Please call the company for most accurate rates):

Company Name Phone Email Price
Corporate Transportation: St. Louis Bus Shuttle Service 314.423.1516 reservations@limosstl.com Please call or email for information
Corporate Transportation: Point to Point 314.423.1516 reservations@limosstl.com Please call or email for information
Corporate Transportation: City to City 314.423.1516 reservations@limosstl.com Please call or email for information
Swoop Transportation 636.697.3403 swooptransportations@gmail.com

1 person = $200

2 people = $300

3 people = $380

Large vehicle/luggage (5-5 people) = $800

5 or more = ask for prices

Best Transportation, Inc.  314.989.1500 reservations@besttransportation.com Can provide a sedan, SUV, or sprinter vehicle costing between $477.88 to $750.00 depending on the vehicle and this includes travel time from the airport to SEMO and back to Best Transportation.
Express Car Service 314.579.9399 stlexpress@hotmail.com Please call or email for information
Jed Limousine Service, Inc. 314.429.2200 info@jedlimousine.com Sedan (2-3 passengers) = $350SUV (up to 6 passengers) = $450Van (up to 10 passengers) = $500Sprinter (up to 14 passengers) = $55022 - 28 passenger shuttle = $52529-36 passenger shuttle = $62538-56 passenger coach bus = $1000
MO-X 573.256.1991 reservations@moexpress.com Please call or email for information
USA Express 800.872.9399 info@usaxonline.com Please call or email for information
XL Transportation, LLC 314.485.1145 no email address, please see phone number Please call or email for information
Titus Transporation 314.600.8618 titus@titustransportation.com Please call or email for information

 

Location
Office
1025 N. Sprigg
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 2000
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701