Different port of entry for F1 student?

Question

if I have been admitted to a university from one state and granted an F1 visa, am I allowed to land in a different state to visit a friend before going to my university? Or will I be stopped at the port of entry?

Thank you!

Answer 1

Yes. I have done this myself. There is a limit to how far in advance before the beginning of your course of study you are allowed to enter the country. I think this may be 30 days.

Answer 2

Thousands of students who want to attend school in the eastern or southern part of the U.S. arrive in Los Angeles, Anchorage, or San Francisco every day. It's not always possible to get a nonstop flight to the location of a particular school.

So, you can arrive in one state and attend school in another state. You can arrive not earlier than 30 before school starts as indicated by your form I-20.

You won't be stopped at the port of entry if you are admissible. Fro example, if you want to go to school in Ohio, and you land at New York City, that's not a reason to be inadmissible.