30 days clarification

[johnsmith007]

My program start date is August 15, 2016. I'm well aware that I can enter no more than 30 days before the program start date.

However, I'd like to clarify the definition of 30 days - does that include August 15 as well? If so, then the earliest date I can enter would be July 17 - leaving 28 full days in between my arrival date and program start date, exclusive. However, if 30 days excludes August 15, then I should be able to enter on July 16 - meaning I have 29 days between my arrival date and program start date, exclusive.

Clarification would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[TakeruK]

According to the University of Chicago international office, you should be able to enter on July 16. On their website (https://internationalaffairs.uchicago.edu/page/arriving-us-airport-or-port-entry#30days), they suggest students use this calculator (http://www.timeanddate.com/date/dateadd.html) to determine the 30 days before.

In addition, in standard North American English, the phrase "X days before Y" does not include Y. For example, if it was "1 day before August 15", that should clearly be August 14. 

Note that the 30 days before is not a strict rule. This means that the border officer can choose to let you enter more than 30 days before if they want to. But you should not count on that. I would recommend planning to arrive on July 16. However, if you are very worried about being turned away, then arrive on July 17. For most cases, arriving one day later won't make a big difference so if you are worried then this is the safest way.

[johnsmith007]

2 hours ago, TakeruK said:

According to the University of Chicago international office, you should be able to enter on July 16. On their website (https://internationalaffairs.uchicago.edu/page/arriving-us-airport-or-port-entry#30days), they suggest students use this calculator (http://www.timeanddate.com/date/dateadd.html) to determine the 30 days before.

In addition, in standard North American English, the phrase "X days before Y" does not include Y. For example, if it was "1 day before August 15", that should clearly be August 14. 

Note that the 30 days before is not a strict rule. This means that the border officer can choose to let you enter more than 30 days before if they want to. But you should not count on that. I would recommend planning to arrive on July 16. However, if you are very worried about being turned away, then arrive on July 17. For most cases, arriving one day later won't make a big difference so if you are worried then this is the safest way.

Thank you! I will be entering on July 16 in that case.