International Student Forum/ Message Board

Greetings,
I have finished both undergraduate and graduate degrees at US universities and will continue my studies for a medical degree starting this fall in the US as well. I have returned back to my home country and have been issued a new student visa. The start date for the visa is May 18 2010, however the start date on my I20 is August 20th 2010. My dilemma is that I have also been accepted as a summer research fellow in the same university I will be attending and I am expected to be there mid June. The regulations I have read online state that I can not enter the US more than 30 days prior to the start date on the I20...or does the US Visa start date over ride that? Also can my university issue a new I20 with a different start date?

Thank You

You should probably contact your school and ask about that. Doesn't the embassy official sign your I-20 when you apply for a visa? Mine did. So if you got a new I-20, that signature won't be there. That's why I suggest you call/email your school and ask them about this.

However, I believe continuing students are excepted from the 30 day rule - so you could probably come in anytime.

The international office told me that I can only come in 30 days prior to school starting.
The embassy official actually did not sign my I-20.
As for being a continuing student I completed my master's degree, came back home, and will start a new doctorate degree at a different university thus, I am considered a new incoming student. I've asked my school to attempt to reissue my I20, but they haven't responded yet.

Thanks!

Ok, I thought you'd be considered a continuing student. Did you ask your school about that as well? I guess you just have to wait and hear from your school concerning that.

If the worst happens, you'd have to forfeit the research fellow job

Yeah...I thought about hopping on a plane and seeing what happens, but I don't want to jeopardize my chances of going to school. I've been told of a CPT option...does anyone know more about that??

I believe the CPT is when you get a job after you've completed college. It usually lasts for a year. Google something up.

Here is the dilema... If the school re-issues the I-20 for you to enter in the summer, you must be enrolled full-time this summer. If you were already here and had been in school for the last year then you could easily do this research as it would be considered on-campsu emplyment which is permissible while in F-1 status. CPT may be granted when the practicum or internship is a requirement of the degree. It usually happens prior to completion of the degree, but it could happen at the end as long as it is prior to and a requirement for graduation.

Jim Crawley