Landing on F-1 Visa and date on I-20 - .. confusion ....!
 

This is to clear a doubt regarding the formality at the US port-of-entry. For a student who is travelling to USA on a student (F-1) visa, in his I-20, the date he is supposed to report at the University is August 18, 2002 (for the Orientation Program). The classes begin only ten days later, i.e, Wednesday, Aug-28.

Due to the difficulty in getting flight bookings, the student will be able to reach US only on August 20. Will this create any problems at the port-of-entry? Will the student be denied entry as he did not land in USA before the date mentioned in the I-20?

Would it be required that the student must carry a letter from the University where he is admitted stating that the University is aware that the student arrives a couple of days later than the date mentioned in the I-20? This is to prevent the possible risk of being denied an entry to US and a deportation while landing. The student already has with him copies of e-mails from his Professor stating that arriving a couple of days late would be fine and not an issue at the University/Department.

Experts in this field, kindly clear this doubt at your earliest convenience.

Avinash Desai.