Prepare for Arrival in the U.S.

Once you have a valid F-1 or J-1 visa in your possession, you may confidently make travel arrangements for entry into the U.S.

International students on the F-1 or J-1 visa programs may enter the United States no earlier than 30 days before the Start Date on their I-20/DS-2019 Form.

Please consider your exact entry date carefully when making travel plans to the U.S. as immigration officers (Customs and Border Protection agents) may deny you entry into the United States at your expense if you attempt to enter more that 30 days before your program start date.

The 30-day limitation does not apply to continuing students who are returning to continue with their program after a period of travel outside the U.S.

Travel Arrangement Basics

Two important things to know regarding making travel arrangements are the following:

  1. International students on the F-1 or J-1 visa programs may enter the United States no earlier than 30 days before the Start Date on their I-20/DS-2019 Form.
  2. Do not make travel arrangements until you have secured a valid F-1 or J-1 visa affixed within your passport.

Making arrangements without a visa or earlier than the 30 day entry period could lead to any of the following negative outcomes:

  • Having to make expensive, last-minute flight changes
  • Denial of entry and subsequent self-deportation (if you lack the required entry documents)
  • Denial of boarding for your outbound flight
  • Being detained upon arrival in the U.S.

Once you have the appropriate F-1 or J-1 visa stamp in your passport, and your scheduled arrival is within 30 days of your I-20/DS-2019 start date, you can feel reasonably confident of a smooth entry at U.S. Customs.

Multiple I-20s, Different Schools?

If you are an initial student entering the U.S. for the first time, and have received multiple I-20s from different institutions in the U.S., upon entry at the U.S. border, you must:

  • Present the I-20 that matches the school listed on your F-1 or J-1 visa stamp

After entry and admission to the United States, if UNC Charlotte is not the institution listed on your visa (and you decide to attend UNC Charlotte), you must contact the institution listed on your U.S. visa and which issued the I-20 you used to enter the U.S. and request that they transfer your SEVIS record to UNC Charlotte. More on this process can be found here.

Customs and Border Protection

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or CBP for short, is the government agency responsible for determining whether someone may enter the U.S. You will most likely meet a CBP agent immediately after getting off your flight arriving into the U.S. — this is a normal part of border security.

CBP agents at your U.S. Port of Entry may:

  • Ask questions about your journey and planned activities in the U.S.
    • You may be denied entry into the United States if you refuse to answer officers’ questions.
  • Ask to see documents or inspect your bags
    • This is allowed even if there is nothing suspicious about you or your luggage.
  • Take your fingerprints (typically via scanner)
  • Subject you to further questioning (also known as “secondary inspection”)
  • Issue you a Form I-515A, “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor,” to allow you temporary entry into the United States if there are any documentary deficiencies you can fix within the United States.
Prepare for Entry

There are a few ways you can prepare for entry into the United States:

  • Make sure you have a valid passport, a signed Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” visa (if required) and evidence of financial support. Do not put these documents in checked baggage.
  • Do not bring any restricted items.
  • Carry the name and contact information for your designated school official, including a 24-hour emergency contact telephone number at your school. You can find UNC Charlotte DSOs’ information here.