Is it recommended I enter the US only in the city where my university is situated?
I'm an Indian student who will be beginning graduate school in the US. Before the start of my program, I want to visit my relatives who live in Atlanta, Georgia. Is it recommended that I enter US in the state my university is located in (Tucson) and then fly to visit my relatives, or is it okay to enter Atlanta? I ask the question with the current political climate in the US in mind.
Is it enough if I have a ticket to Tucson as proof that I am only planning a brief stay in Atlanta?
EDIT: I updated the question to include the cities I'm referring to. Both these cities have international airports.
Best Answer
Is it recommended that I enter US in the city my university is located and then fly to visit my relatives, or is it okay to enter a different state?
Do not worry about it if you are a bonafide student. It is okay to enter in a different state, just have a coherent and logical reason with evidence why you are doing so. You will probably be asked a cursory question about it at the airport. Also you are allowed to enter up to thirty days before your program starts.
Per the Department of State,
New Students
F-1 and M-1 student visas can be issued up to 120 days in advance of your course of study start date. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States in F-1 or M-1 status earlier than 30 days before your start date.
How would I know? Among other more recent examples I know of, twenty years ago when my classmate and I were coming to start graduate school here, he and his mother were beside themselves with worry for booking their flight to Denver, Colorado to see relatives before proceeding to Berkeley. I told them not to worry, it would not be a problem if he could prove he is a bonafide visitor. I flew into New York took a bus to Maryland and spent a few days before proceeding to school in North Carolina without a problem. He also had no problem.
CONCLUSION
Ultimately however peace of mind is invaluable. If you still remain uncomfortable with flying into a different state because of possible questions, fly into your school state and then subsequently travel to visit your family. It will cost you a few hundred dollars or less extra, but then sometimes peace of mind trumps saving a couple of bucks.
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Which place is best for international students in USA?
The 7 best cities for international students in the USA- Boston.
- Chicago.
- Los Angeles.
- Miami.
- New York.
- San Francisco.
- Washington DC.
How do international students stay in USA?
Most international students studying in the US have been granted entry into the country on an F-1 visa. This visa allows students to attend college, university, conservatory, high school, elementary school, and seminary or language school in the US.Where do international students come from in USA?
In first place is California, with 161,000 international students in 2019/2020 and 14.9% of the total. In second place is New York, with 11.8%, and in third place is Texas with 7.2% and 77 thousand international students.Can I land in a different state F1 visa?
No. An F1 visa holder is admitted only for the duration of student status. That means you may stay only as long as you are a full time student.Why Did You Choose This University? BEST ANSWER to this University Admissions Interview Question!
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