With an F-1 visa, you can enter the U.S. up to 30 days before your program start date indicated on your immigration documents.
AREA AIRPORTS
There are three airports located in the Metro D.C. area. Please be aware that upon arrival in the United States you will go through U.S. Customs and Immigration. The Customs and Immigration Official will check your travel documents as well as take your fingerprints and photo.
Washington Dulles International (IAD) located 20 miles from Washington, D.C. Dulles offers:
- Traveler’s Aid Society – (703) 572-8296, located on the lower level at the west end of the main terminal
- Foreign Visitors Greeting Service – (703) 572-2536, located on the east end of the terminal opposite claim area #2. Multilingual volunteers assist with hotel accommodations, connecting flights and other types of travelers’ needs
- Foreign Currency Exchange, located at the east end of the terminal.
Baltimore-Washington International/Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) located in Maryland, 33 miles from Washington, D.C. BWI offers:
- Two Information Desks, both are on the upper level. One is at the entrance of Pier C and the other is located near the entrance to Pier D;
- Foreign Currency Exchange Offices, located on the upper and lower level – open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Travelers Aid (PATH) – 410-859-7207.
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) handles only domestic flights, but it is the closest and most convenient airport to AU. It is the only airport on a Metro subway line. DCA offers:
- Customer Services Centers – (703) 417-3200/ (703) 417-3201, located in Terminals A, B, and C
- Foreign Currency Exchange, located at all Customer Services Centers. Open between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily.
For information about how to travel around DC, including how to get to American University from the Airport, see: Getting to Campus