Entering the US on a student visa early, how can I minimise financial loss?
score:3
Accepted answer
A bunch of options:
- You could try to get your F1 Visa time shifted. You need to call the consulate and ask if this is possible. Visa appointments for student Visas in Sydney only have a 1-2 day wait time, so that feels worth trying
- Change your flights. Call the airline and ask or try online. In most cases, you will have to pay a change fee plus/minus any difference in actual ticket prices. If this is a single booking with a single ticket number (even if it's two separate airlines), you have to pay change fee once. For two different tickets/bookings you have to pay it twice. Rough estimated would be US$300 for an international and US$200 for a domestic flight
- You can scrap the tickets and buy a new one. One way ticket from SYD to BOS (example) on Jul 22, will cost you about US$1000. DON'T do this if your original tickets are return tickets and you are planning to use the return legs. If you don't take the first flight, the remaining flights will be cancelled unless you pay a change fee.
- Talk to the school and see if there is a way around being physically present during the "head start" program. Attend remotely, make it up during some night shifts, waive it, do some substitute work, etc.
Upvote:2
Talk to the international students office at your school first. If you're required to be present on July 23, they may be able to update the program start date accordingly.
As explained in Understanding SEVIS Program and Session Dates, you're allowed to enter the US 30 days before your program start date ("Date orientation or required activities start"), and that can be up to 30 days before classes start (the "Initial Session Start" date). If they're able to set your program start date to July 23rd, the date your mandatory orientation begins, you could enter the US on July 13th as planned, which will give you a little bit of time to get settled first.
Upvote:3
In addition to Hilmar's suggestions, you could also consider coming to the US in mid-July, and entering as a tourist. On July 20 or 21, leave the US and cross the border into Canada or Mexico. Spend at least one night outside the US. On July 22, enter the US on your F1 student visa.
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