Traveling to the U.S. (Your Arrival)
Guide
Your first U.S. entry as a student has two parts: preparing the right documents, and clearing Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Port of Entry. Here's what to know.
Written by Jennifer Glass, Immigration Coordinator at the International Student Resource Center
Last updated: July, 2026
An overview to traveling to the U.S. to study
Before you travel
In planning your travel dates, know that the earliest a new student can enter the U.S. is 30 days before the program start date on the I-20 or DS-2019. Note that if you enter the U.S. earlier than that with another visa (for example, a tourist visa), you would need to later depart the U.S. and then reenter again in order to be in ‘student’ immigration status and start your studies
Check with your school and on our Immigration News page for any U.S. policy updates impacting international travel
Review the latest on electronic device searches at the border
Pack your documents, passport, valid F-1/J-1 visa, and printed I-20/DS-2019, in your hand luggage.
Collect emergency contact information for the international office at your school
At the Port of Entry
A CBP officer reviews your documents, asks a few questions about the purpose of your travel to the U.S., admits you into the U.S. in F-1/J-1 status, and issues an electronic I-94 (arrival record).
An I-94 is an electronic record of your entry, and a new one is created each time you depart and re-enter the U.S. Your I-94 should be accessible by following the ‘Get Most Recent I-94’ link on the I-94 website. Review your I-94 right away and report any mistakes to your school so they can assist with requesting a correction from CBP.
If the CBP officer has questions, you may be sent to secondary inspection — common and usually routine.
If you enter the U.S. prior to September 15th, 2026, you will be admitted with a D/S notation on your I-94 information sheet. Confirm this with your DSO or ARO.
If you enter the U.S. on or after September 15th, 2026, your I-94 will be issued with a date-certain end date - the shorter of the end date on your I-20 or DS-2019 form, or 4 years. Be sure to confirm this date with your DSO or ARO.
If questioned or delayed, stay calm and answer honestly; possible outcomes include approved entry, conditional admission (Form I-515A, 30 days to fix paperwork), or — rarely — denial.
Carry your school's international office contact info in case CBP needs to verify details.
