Entering the US: up to 30 days early, with passport, visa and I-20 in hand

You may enter up to 30 days before the program start date on your I-20, carrying the originals of three documents on you: passport, visa and signed I-20. The CBP officer checks them at the desk.

The date that counts is the one in SEVIS, so if you cannot make it, tell your DSO straight away and the school will change it. Beyond the three originals, SEVP also suggests carrying your DSO's contact details, the admission letter, the I-901 SEVIS fee receipt and your financial documents, all in hand luggage, since a checked bag is out of reach at the desk. Missing paperwork or an unverifiable record means secondary inspection, possibly with a Form I-515A that gives you 30 days to file the missing documents with your DSO.

On admission CBP creates an electronic I-94, and from then on your permitted stay is governed by the I-94, not the I-20. The rule that would have put a fixed end date on it from 15 September 2026 is blocked in court (see "Court blocks the F-1 fixed admission period"), so an F-1 I-94 still reads D/S. Either way, look yours up on the CBP site once you are through. Make two sets of copies of everything before you leave, one for family at home and one for the school, and contact the school as soon as you arrive so the DSO can register you in SEVIS.