US immigration policies?

Question

as an F-1 applicant what actually does the reporting date n the I-20 mean to the Us immigartion in arrival at any airport in the US?Can a student who is scheduled to arrive at a reporting date of probably 23rd december,when he/she arrives on the 23rd will he/she be allowed entery?What about the 24th,25th or 26th,wont the person be allowed entry?Why does the deadline mean a lot before entry into the US?Isnt the fellow an an F-1?If i have about 4 days for reporting of my I-20 can i still go for an F-1 interview?Can they issue the visa but tell me to get a new I-20 with difffernent date?Can someone enter the US with about a day or more old I-20 ?why wont the fellow be allowed entery?detailed explanation needed.

Answer 1

The reporting date is just that, the date you must show up for classes. You can go up to 30 days early, but if you show up late for class, you're taking a chance they won't let you in. The later you show the greater the chance you will be sent back. The deadline is set by the school you're going to attend. Why shouldn't it be important, if you're a real student? Can you go with 4 days left? Yes, but if your visa requires additional processing, it won't be issued. You'd have to contact your school and get a new I-20 for next semester. They won't issue you a visa if your I-20 is no longer valid for use. Why would they, it would be pointless. No valid I-20, no visa. A day or more old I-20, see above. Maybe, perhaps probably, but the older it is after your reporting date, the less likely you'll be allowed to enter. Why, because your school told you and the consular officer and the immigration officer that that date was important. That's why.

Answer 2

In addition to what George has correctly told you, it's important to remember that if you arrive in the U.S. after the start date on the I-20, it is very likely that the officers at the port-of-entry will call your school. If the school says that you're too late to start that semester, the next question they will ask you is: "Aisle or window seat?" for your trip back home.

You can't be admitted as an F-1 if the school won't accept your late arrival. If you arrive late for an ESL course, that might not matter as some schools start one every few weeks. Then all you'd need would be a new I-20, but if you're going to a school to study a normal academic program, and you're late, and the school doesn't want you to register late, you're not admissible.