Start date on I-20

[rahul.goel20 0]

Hello

I am joining PhD this Fall at University of Houston (visa interview on Jul 2). The first day of classes is 27th Aug. The I-20 that I have got states that I should report no later than 16th Aug. But because of my current contract, I can not reach US before 21st Aug.

I am little anxious if I would be able to enter US after 16th Aug?

When I asked this question to the International Students Office at UH, they send this response

"Yes. Our ISSSO did not process the I-20 for you to enter, however you must show them that you are admitted to the University of Houston for school to start 08/27/2012 and I sure they will allow you in the USA. They may ask questions, but I am sure that you can explain to the port of entry and the visa officer what you want to do before entering the USA."

Does anyone in this forum knows if it should be okay for me to travel to US 4-5 days after the reporting date on I-20.

Thanks

Rahul

[canadian_wife 1,829]

The school is requesting you to be there by Aug 16, not the United States. If asked, simply tell the truth - in fact, I would mention it at your interview

Good luck

[rahul.goel20 0]

Actually the school required me to be there 10 days before classes as Texas laws require on to have one particular vaccination at least 10 days before school starts. I already have taken that vaccination 4 years back and sent the proof for it and I learnt from the Immunization office of UH that they do not have any "hold" on my record. My interpretation of that is that now I need not have to travel by 16th Aug.

If I have a choice, I would rather travel by 20-21 Aug (given my current contract etc). I also have the housing almost fixed.

The school is requesting you to be there by Aug 16, not the United States. If asked, simply tell the truth - in fact, I would mention it at your interview

Good luck

[canadian_wife 1,829]

So if the school does not require you to travel before the 16th, what is the problem?

Good luck

[rahul.goel20 0]

That I do not know how the immigration officer at the "Port of Entry" look at things.

If I am entering US on 21 Aug and my I-20 says "arrive no later than" 16th Aug, will the immigration officer have any problem?

I-20 does not say that classes start only on 27th. That is there in schedule etc..

Rahul

So if the school does not require you to travel before the 16th, what is the problem?

Good luck

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Then my post in #2 still stands. Mention it at your student visa interview and simply tell them the truth

Good luck

[rahul.goel20 0]

I am really sorry if I have not been able to make myself clear.

My question is unrelated to my post regarding my visa interview next week.

Say I have the new visa and am going to US and then at the port of entry in the US if I land say on 21st Aug, will the immigration office have any issues, considering the I-20 will say "arrive no later than" 16th Aug

Thanks

Then my post in #2 still stands. Mention it at your student visa interview and simply tell them the truth

Good luck

[canadian_wife 1,829]

Maybe I wasn't making myself clear, if you mention it at the interview, maybe they can make a notation and the POE will understand your up to date vaccines and thus you are not required to be in the US by August 16

Good luck

[rahul.goel20 0]

Ok. Thanks a lot.

I think my case is already little complicated. I would avoid bringing in more complication by requesting at visa interview if I can arrive few days after "arrive no later than" date. Why invite more questions / suspicion?

What I was interested to know on this forum is, if there is any strict rule or sort that a F1 visa holder should strictly arrive by the date mentioned on I-20 or is the date only indicative as when it will be good to arrive before the school starts.

Rahul

[canadian_wife 1,829]

When I arrived on my F-1 I was 10 days earlier than the earliest possible date I could arrive. They let me through with no issues. Not sure how it works with being late

Try calling the border and see if it will be an issue, have you thought of calling the POE?

Good luck

[rahul.goel20 0]

Ya one can arrive up to 30 days before the start date mentioned on I-20. Thats what I did last time too.

But this time my circumstances are different and I want to arrive 4-5 days later (which is still 4-5 days before classes start).

I will inquire with POE once my visa is done (interview date is July 2). Till then I thought I will ask around on forums if someone have had experienced something similar.

When I inquired with the International Students Office of UH, they said:

"Yes. Our ISSSO did not process the I-20 for you to enter, however you must show them that you are admitted to the University of Houston for school to start 08/27/2012 and I sure they will allow you in the USA. They may ask questions, but I am sure that you can explain to the port of entry and the visa officer what you want to do before entering the USA."

But frankly, the lady who sent this reply does not deal with I-20 and all. The one who does, did not reply (yet).

Rahul

When I arrived on my F-1 I was 10 days earlier than the earliest possible date I could arrive. They let me through with no issues. Not sure how it works with being late

Try calling the border and see if it will be an issue, have you thought of calling the POE?

Good luck

[Harsh_77 718]

You need to check with your school and make sure they would let you enroll in the class if you are not here by Aug 16 as mentioned.

It is not just the vaccination, normally they do is the TB test, also there is normally an orientation and in most cases it is mandatory specially the first time F1.

School’s international office goes over the things what you can do, what you cannot do and complete your F1 Paperwork during the Orientation.

I believe it was a whole day event when I joined and at end of the day you are release to enroll in the class.

If you are not released to enroll in the class by international office and you cannot enroll in the class would make you out of status.

[rahul.goel20 0]

Ya I know..there are those orientations on different days..and the last one is on 22nd Aug which I can easily attend if I reach by 20-21 Aug.

Also, I already have friends in Houston with whom I will be staying, so not really have to spend time in house hunting

That is why I am curious if I can go 4-5 days after the date written on I-20

You need to check with your school and make sure they would let you enroll in the class if you are not here by Aug 16 as mentioned.

It is not just the vaccination, normally they do is the TB test, also there is normally an orientation and in most cases it is mandatory specially the first time F1.

School’s international office goes over the things what you can do, what you cannot do and complete your F1 Paperwork during the Orientation.

I believe it was a whole day event when I joined and at end of the day you are release to enroll in the class.

If you are not released to enroll in the class by international office and you cannot enroll in the class would make you out of status.

[Harsh_77 718]

Ya I know..there are those orientations on different days..and the last one is on 22nd Aug which I can easily attend if I reach by 20-21 Aug.

Also, I already have friends in Houston with whom I will be staying, so not really have to spend time in house hunting

That is why I am curious if I can go 4-5 days after the date written on I-20

Yes you can, you can enter anytime before your school is starting officer at POE does not care about that.

[rahul.goel20 0]

Ok. Thanks