Steps to prepare for your arrival

Your guide to getting ready for your journey and first days at TXST.

Packing Your Suitcase

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  • Planning ahead and packing properly can facilitate the screening process and ease your travel experience at the airport.

    What to pack? Below are some suggestions from our international students: 

    • Clothing for cold and warm weather 
    • Small quantities of toiletries for immediate use. You can always buy additional toiletries at a supermarket when you need more.
    • Your favorite non-perishable food or snacks that will not be available or hard to find in the US. This is often what international students crave most in the first few months of being away from home.
    • Sufficient amount cash in US currency for immediate use before you get to a US bank to open a bank account. Review: US Money and Banking

    Note: Electrical appliances in the US work on a 110 Volts. You may consider to purchase electrical appliances in the US, as electrical appliances from some countries may not function well in the US.

  • Please be sure to review the U.S. Customs and Border Protection “Know Before Your Visit” webpage in preparation for your travel to the U.S.

Immigration Documents

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  • F-1 International Students

    • Valid Passport (must be valid for at least 6 months at all times)
    • Valid F-1 Visa (unless you are exempt from visa requirements)
    • Signed Form I-20 - be sure to sign and date your original Form I-20
    • Evidence of financial support for tuition and fees and living expenses while you are in the US

    J-1 Exchange Visitors

    • Valid Passport (must be valid for at least 6 months at all times)
    • Valid J-1 Visa (unless you are exempt from visa requirements)
    • Signed Form DS-2019 - be sure to sign and date your original Form DS-2019
    • Evidence of financial support for tuition and fees (students) or living expenses (students and scholars)
      • This may be your department invitation letter

  • If you are being denied entry to the U.S., please call or ask the CBP agent to call International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). 

    Call ISSS at 512-245-7966 or the University Police Department after hours (5pm CST M-F and weekends) at 512-245-2805.

Do not place the following documents in your checked luggage

You may need these documents to present to the Customs and Border Protection Agent (CBP) at the Port of Entry. The CBP agent will review your documents to determine if you can be granted admissibility to enter the U.S.

Earliest Admission Date to the USA

student carrying suitcase

International students and dependents are not permitted to enter the US earlier than 30 days before the program start date listed on the Form I-20, even though the student may be issued an F-1 visa that is valid before the Program Start Date.

Be sure to make travel reservations in advance of your departure date, especially if you travel to the US during peak tourist seasons or holidays.

Expectations at Port of Entry with a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer

Upon arriving a United States port of entry, a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will determine your admissibility to the United States. 

Review: US Customs and Border Protection Guidelines

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    • Review your immigration documents
    • Scan your passport or take a photo
    • Take your fingerprints, if applicable 
    • Ask questions regarding your purpose and intent
    • Ask if you have anything to declare

    • Which school will you be attending? 
    • Why will you be attending that school?
    • Which program will you be pursuing? (F-1 and J-1 students)
    • What is your program objective? (J-1 scholars)

    • Conduct law enforcement data base queries
    • Ask questions about purpose and intent of travel to the US
    • Request additional documentation or contact ISSS for additional information
    • Search your luggage and/ or personal belongings

    Keep in mind, most secondary processing is administrative in nature.

  • Review: DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP)

    The Department of Homeland Security Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) is a single point of contact for individuals who have inquiries or seek resolution regarding difficulties they experienced during their travel screening at transportation hubs, such as airports or crossing US borders.

    This includes:

    • watch list issues
    • screening problems at ports of entry
    • situations where travelers believe they have been unfairly or incorrectly delayed, denied boarding or identified for additional screening at our nation’s transportation hubs

    When at the port of entry, to reach a DSO, ask the CBP agent to call Texas State University International Student and Scholar Services at 512-245-7966 or the University Police Department after hours (5pm CST M-F and weekends) at 512-245-2805.

If the CBP officer at the port of entry cannot verify your information, or if you do not have all of the required documentation, a CBP officer may direct you to an interview area known as secondary inspection. Carry the contact information of your Designated School Official (DSO) in case requested by the CBP officer. 

Form I-515A: Entry without the Form I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1)

F-1 international students and J-1 exchange visitors who forget their Form I-20 or DS-2019 may be granted temporary entry to the US if the CBP officer issues the Form I-515A.

The Form I-515A has a limited 30-day admission period from the date of issuance by the CBP officer. If you received this Form I-515A, please contact the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) immediately.

To learn more about this Form I-515A, visit What is a Form I-515A?

To Prepare for Entry:

Do not keep important immigration documents in your checked baggage.

  • F-1 International Students
    • Have a valid passport, a signed Form I-20, valid F-1 visa and evidence of financial support.
  • J-1 Exchange Visitors
    • Have a valid passport, a signed Form DS-2019, valid J-1 visa, evidence of financial support, and department invitation letter.
  • Review carefully all prohibited and restricted items and do not bring them
  • Remember if you are being denied entry - call ISSS at 512-245-7966 or the University Police Department after hours (5pm CST M-F and weekends) at 512-245-2805.
  • Review CBP's website for international visitors to learn more about international visitors travel resources

F-1 International Students

Student who arrive prior to 30 days before the I-20 program start date may be denied entry to the US. Student who are admitted to the US early, 30 days before the program start date, will automatically be out of status and will result in the student’s SEVIS record being terminated.

Refer to Earliest Admission Date in the Program of Study block on the Form I-20, which is a system-calculated date 30 days before the Program Start Date, derived from this regulation.

J-1 International Students/Scholars

J-1 Exchange Visitors and dependents can enter the US up to 30 days before the program State Date listed on their Form DS-2019. Entry more than 30 days before this start date is not permitted. 

J-1 exchange visitors unable to arrive to the US by the program start date must contact their program sponsor for approval for late arrival. Also, contact ISSS at internationalscholars@txstate.edu to request a new DS-2019 with a later start date.

Refer to "Form Covers Period" and "From Date" for the program start date.

DS-2019 Form

Transportation Options and Arrival Reporting for International Students

Transportation to TXST

Review the types of transportation available to incoming international students.

Getting to the United States

Review the U.S. Study in the States webpage that goes over essential information and steps for international students traveling to the U.S., including visa requirements and entry guidance.