Yes—you should add your valid passport and verify the signed I-20, arrival date, and matching SEVIS-fee record before you fly.

(f)(1)(i)(A)-(C)

The student presents a Form I-20 or successor form issued in the student's name by a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) for attendance by F-1 foreign students; The student has documentary evidence of financial support in the amount indicated on the Form I-20 or successor form; For students seeking initial admission only, the student intends to attend the school specified in the student's visa (or, where the student is exempt from the requirement for a visa, the school indicated on the Form I-20 or successor form);

(f)(1)

An F-1 student may be admitted for a period up to 30 days before the indicated report date or program start date listed on the Form I-20 or successor form.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). After you present your passport, visa, and Form I-20 at the port-of-entry, a CBP official will make this decision.

You and your DSO must both sign the Form I-20. You are expected to have the signed Form I-20 on hand as you enter the country. Do not pack it away in your suitcase.

The SEVIS ID on the payment confirmation receipt must always match the SEVIS ID on the student’s most current Form I-20 or DS-2019, unless the F or M student is considered a border commuter student. Students who are issued a new Form I-20 with a different SEVIS ID and are not commuter students must pay the I-901 fee on the new record.

Deferring Program Start Dates

DSOs may need to defer a student’s Program Start Date to a later date to avoid SEVIS auto-cancellation for certain records in Initial Status. For example: Student cannot arrive in time to begin the program as scheduled. Deferring the Program Start and Initial Session Start Dates allows the student to continue to use the same SEVIS ID and I-901 SEVIS Fee payment.

(f)(1)

Each alien seeking admission at a United States port-of-entry must present whatever documents are required and must establish to the satisfaction of the inspecting officer that the alien is not subject to removal under the immigration laws, Executive Orders, or Presidential Proclamations, and is entitled, under all of the applicable provisions of the immigration laws and this chapter, to enter the United States.

The Form I-515A allows foreign students temporary admission into the United States for 30 days while you and your DSO address your documentation issues. Email your required documents to the SEVP Form I-515A Processing Team at SEVIS.I-515@ice.dhs.gov within 30 days of your entry date. If you fail to complete any of these required actions, your SEVIS status may be terminated.

Initial F-1 and M-1 students

All initial F-1 and M-1 students should report to a DSO as soon as possible upon admission into the United States but no later than the Initial Session Start Date (start of classes) as listed in SEVIS.

The final rule will take effect on Sept. 15, 2026. F students will continue to be admitted for duration of status until this date. After Sept. 15, 2026, new and continuing students who enter the United States will be admitted with a fixed period of admission. Beginning on Sept. 15, 2026, F students will be admitted to the United States for a fixed period of time, up to the length of the program of study listed on their Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” not to exceed four years, plus a 30-day period for arrival and an additional 30-day period for departure. This fixed period of time will be indicated by a specific AUD on their Form I-94.

If a traveler would like a paper Form I-94, the traveler can print their own I-94 Form from the I-94 website using ‘Get Most Recent I-94’ or by using the same option on the CBP Link mobile application.