The I-20 form is a crucial document issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that certifies eligibility for nonimmigrant student status. This form indicates that an individual has been admitted to a U.S. school and is authorized to apply for a student visa in the F-1 classification. Understanding how to properly fill out and utilize this form is essential for anyone looking to study in the United States.
If you are ready to start the process of obtaining an I-20 form, click the button below to fill out the necessary information.
The I-20 form, officially known as the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, serves several critical functions for international students wishing to study in the United States. This document is issued by a designated school official and confirms that a student has been accepted into a full course of study at an accredited institution. The I-20 form includes vital information such as the student's personal details, country of citizenship, academic program, and financial details. Students must carry their I-20 at all times while in the U.S. and must present it alongside other essential documents, like a valid visa and passport, when they enter the country. The form also outlines the student's employment authorization status, indicating if they are eligible for on-campus or off-campus employment. It details the necessity of maintaining full-time status and informs students of their responsibilities regarding reporting changes in status or address. Lastly, the I-20 is crucial for identifying eligibility for various types of employment, tracking academic progress, and ensuring compliance with U.S. immigration regulations.
Department of Homeland Security
I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
OMB NO. 1653-0038
SEVIS ID: N0004720633
SURNAME/PRIMARY NAME
GIVEN NAME
Class of Admission
PREFERRED NAME
PASSPORT NAME
F-1
COUNTRY OF BIRTH
COUNTRY OF CITIZENSHIP
DATE OF BIRTH
ADMISSION NUMBER
ACADEMIC AND
FORM ISSUE REASON
LEGACY NAME
LANGUAGE
SCHOOL INFORMATION
SCHOOL NAME
SCHOOL ADDRESS
SCHOOL OFFICIAL TO CONTACT UPON ARRIVAL
SCHOOL CODE AND APPROVAL DATE
PROGRAM OF STUDY
EDUCATION LEVEL
MAJOR 1
MAJOR 2
PROGRAM ENGLISH PROFICIENCY
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY NOTES
EARLIEST ADMISSION DATE
START OF CLASSES
PROGRAM START/END DATE
FINANCIALS
ESTIMATED AVERAGE COSTS FOR: 9 MONTHS
STUDENT'S FUNDING FOR: 9 MONTHS
Tuition and Fees
Living Expenses
Expenses of Dependents (0)
Other
TOTAL
$
REMARKS
SCHOOL ATTESTATION
I certify under penalty of perjury that all information provided above was entered before I signed this form and is true and correct. I executed this form in the United States after review and evaluation in the United States by me or other officials of the school of the student's application, transcripts, or other records of courses taken and proof of financial responsibility, which were received at the school prior to the execution of this form. The school has determined that the above named student's qualifications meet all standards for admission to the school and the student will be required to pursue a full program of study as defined by 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6). I am a designated school official of the above named school and am authorized to issue this form.
X
DATE ISSUED
PLACE ISSUED
SIGNATURE OF:
STUDENT ATTESTATION
I have read and agreed to comply with the terms and conditions of my admission and those of any extension of stay. I certify that all information provided on this form refers specifically to me and is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I certify that I seek to enter or remain in the United States temporarily, and solely for the purpose of pursuing a full program of study at the school named above. I also authorize the named school to release any information from my records needed by DHS pursuant to 8 CFR 214.3(g) to determine my nonimmigrant status. Parent or guardian, and student, must sign if student is under 18.
DATE
NAME OF PARENT OR GUARDIAN
SIGNATURE
ADDRESS (city/state or province/country) DATE
ICE Form I-20 A-B (3/31/2018)
Page 1 of 3
SEVIS ID: N0004720633 (F-1)
NAME: Student Sample
EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATIONS
TYPE
FULL/PART-TIME
STATUS
START DATE
END DATE
CPT
PART TIME
APPROVED
01 JULY 2016
15 JULY 2016
EMPLOYER INFORMATION
AUTHORIZATION DATES
01 JULY 2016 - 15 JULY 2016
EMPLOYER NAME
CITY & STATE
SEVP applied labs
Arlington, VA
CHANGE OF STATUS/CAP-GAP EXTENSION
AUTHORIZED REDUCED COURSE LOAD
CURRENT SESSION DATES
CURRENT SESSION START DATE
CURRENT SESSION END DATE
01 JUNE 2016
30 JUNE 2016
TRAVEL ENDORSEMENT
This page, when properly endorsed, may be used for re-entry of the student to attend the same school after a temporary absence from the United States. Each endorsement is valid for one year.
SCHOOL OFFICIAL
TITLE
Page 2 of 3
INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENTS
STUDENT ATTESTATION. You should read everything on this page carefully. Be sure that you understand the terms and conditions concerning your admission and stay in the United States as a nonimmigrant student before signing the student attestation on page 1 of the Form I-20 A-B. The law provides severe penalties for knowingly and willfully falsifying or concealing a material fact, or using any false document in the submission of this form.
FORM I-20. The Form I-20 (this form) is the primary document to show that you have been admitted to school in the United States and that you are authorized to apply for admission to the United States in F-1 class of admission. You must have your Form I-20 with you at all times. If you lose your Form I-20, you must request a new one from your designated school official (DSO) at the school named on your Form I-20.
VISA APPLICATION. You must give this Form I-20 to the U.S. consular officer at the time you apply for a visa (unless you are exempt from visa requirements). If you have a Form I-20 from more than one school, be sure to present the Form I-20 for the school you plan to attend. Your visa will include the name of that school, and you must attend that school upon entering the United States. You must also provide evidence of support for tuition and fees and living expenses while you are in the United States.
ADMISSION. When you enter the United States, you must present the following documents to the officer at the port of entry: 1) a Form I-20; 2) a valid F-1 visa(unless you are exempt from visa requirements); 3) a valid passport; and
4)evidence of support for tuition and fees and living expenses while you are in the United States. The agent should return all documents to you before you leave the inspection area.
REPORT TO SCHOOL NAMED ON YOUR FORM I-20 AND VISA. Upon your first entry to the United States, you must report to the DSO at the school named on your Form I-20 and your F-1 visa (unless you are exempt from visa requirements). If you decide to attend another school before you enter the United States, you must present a Form I-20 from the new school to a U.S. consular officer for a new F-1 visa that names the new school. Failure to enroll in the school, by the program start date on your Form I-20 may result in the loss of your student status and subject you to deportation.
EMPLOYMENT. Unlawful employment in the United States is a reason for terminating your F-1 status and deporting you from the United States. You may be employed on campus at your school. You may be employed off-campus in curricular practical training (CPT) if you have written permission from your DSO. You may apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for off-campus employment authorization in three circumstances: 1) employment with an international organization; 2) severe and unexpected economic hardship; and 3) optional practical training (OPT) related to your degree. You must have written authorization from USCIS before you begin work. Contact your DSO for details. Your spouse or child (F-2 classification) may not work in the United States
PERIOD OF STAY. You may remain in the United States while taking a full course of study or during authorized employment after your program. F-1 status ends and you are required to leave the United States on the earliest of the following dates: 1) the program end date on your Form I-20 plus 60 days; 2) the end date of your OPT plus 60 days; or 3) the termination of your program for any other reason. Contact your DSO for details.
EXTENSION OF PROGRAM. If you cannot complete the education program by the program end date on page 1 of your Form I-20, you should contact your DSO at least 15 days before the program end date to request an extension.
SCHOOL TRANSFER. To transfer schools, first notify the DSO at the school you are attending of your plan to transfer, then obtain a Form I-20 from the DSO at the school you plan to attend. Return the Form I-20 for the new school to the DSO at that school within 15 days after beginning attendance at the new school. The DSO will then report the transfer to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). You must enroll in the new school at the next session start date. The DSO at the new school must update your registration in SEVIS.
NOTICE OF ADDRESS. When you arrive in the United States, you must report your U.S. address to your DSO. If you move, you must notify your DSO of your new address within 10 days of the change of address. The DSO will update SEVIS with your new address.
REENTRY. F-1 students may leave the United States and return within a period of five months.To return, you must have: 1) a valid passport; 2) a valid F- 1 student visa (unless you are exempt from visa requirements); and 3) your Form I-20, page 2, properly endorsed for reentry by your DSO. If you have been out of the United States for more than five months, contact your DSO
AUTHORIZATION TO RELEASE INFORMATION BY SCHOOL. DHS requires your school to provide DHS with your name, country of birth, current address, immigration status, and certain other information on a regular basis or upon request. Your signature on the Form I-20 authorizes the named school to release such information from your records.
PENALTY. To maintain your nonimmigrant student status, you must: 1) remain a full-time student at your authorized school; 2) engage only in authorized employment; and 3) keep your passport valid. Failure to comply with these regulations will result in the loss of your student status and subject you to deportation.
INSTRUCTIONS TO SCHOOLS
Failure to comply with 8 CFR 214.3(k) and 8 CFR 214.4 when issuing Forms I- 20 will subject you and your school to criminal prosecution. If you issue this form improperly, provide false information, or fail to submit required reports, DHS may withdraw its certification of your school for attendance by nonimmigrant students.
ISSUANCE OF FORM I-20. DSOs may issue a Form I-20 for any nonimmigrant your school has accepted for a full course of study if that person:
1)plans to apply to enter the United States in F-1 status; 2) is in the United States as an F-1 nonimmigrant and plans to transfer to your school; or 3) is in the United States and will apply to change nonimmigrant status to F-1. DSOs may also issue the Form I-20 to the spouse or child (under the age of 21) of an F-1 student to use to enter or remain in the United States as an F-2 dependent. DSOs must sign where indicated at the bottom of page 1 of the Form I-20 to attest that the form is completed and issued in accordance with regulations.
ENDORSEMENT OF PAGE 2 FOR REENTRY. If there have been no substantive changes in information, DSOs may endorse page 2 of the Form I-20 for the student and/or the F-2 dependents to reenter the United States. If there have been substantive changes, the DSO should issue and sign a new Form I-20 that includes those changes.
RECORDKEEPING. DHS may request information concerning the student's immigration status for various reasons. DSOs should retain all evidence of academic ability and financial resources on which admission was based, until SEVIS shows the student's record completed or terminated.
AUTHORITY FOR COLLECTING INFORMATION. Authority for collecting the information on this and related student forms is contained in 8 U.S.C. 1101 and 1184. The Department of State and DHS use this information to determine eligibility for the benefits requested.The law provides severe penalties for knowingly and willfully falsifying or concealing a material fact, or using any false document in the submission of this form.
REPORTING BURDEN. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement collects this information as part of its agency mission under the Department of Homeland Security. The estimated average time to review the instructions, search existing data sources, gather and maintain the needed data, and complete and review the collection of information is 30 minutes (.50 hours) per response. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to an information collection unless a form displays a currently valid OMB Control number. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Office of the Chief Information Officer/Forms Management Branch, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 801 I Street NW Stop 5800, Washington, DC 20536- 5800. Do not send the form to this address.
Page 3 of 3
The Form I-20 is essential for international students entering the United States. Completing it accurately ensures a smooth application process and compliance with immigration regulations.
Once you've filled out the Form I-20, you will need to submit it to the U.S. consulate to apply for your visa. Ensure you carry the form at all times when traveling, as it is crucial for your legal status as a student in the U.S.
What is the I-20 form?
The I-20 form, also known as the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, is a document provided by a U.S. school to international students who have been accepted for admission. It allows students to apply for an F-1 visa and demonstrates their eligibility to study in the United States.
Why do I need the I-20 form?
The I-20 form is crucial for obtaining your F-1 student visa. It is also required upon your arrival in the U.S. to prove your admission to a designated school. You must keep this document with you at all times during your stay in the country.
How do I obtain an I-20 form?
Once you are accepted into a U.S. school, the school's designated school official (DSO) will issue an I-20 form for you. You will need to provide necessary documentation including proof of financial support and your personal details for the school to issue it.
What should I do if I lose my I-20 form?
If you lose your I-20, you must immediately contact your DSO at your school to obtain a replacement. It’s important to do this to maintain your student status.
What documents do I need at the U.S. port of entry?
When entering the U.S., show the following documents to the immigration officer: 1) your I-20 form; 2) a valid F-1 visa; 3) a valid passport; and 4) evidence of financial support for tuition and living expenses.
Can I work while on an F-1 visa?
As an F-1 student, you can work on campus without special permission. Off-campus work is only allowed under specific circumstances such as curricular practical training (CPT) or optional practical training (OPT), and requires prior authorization.
What if I need to extend my program of study?
If you cannot finish your program by the end date on your I-20, contact your DSO at least 15 days before that date to request an extension. It is essential to do this timely to keep your student status valid.
What happens if I want to transfer to another school?
To transfer schools, notify your current DSO about your intention. After obtaining a new I-20 from the new school, you must return it to the DSO at that school within 15 days of starting there. Prompt action is important to maintain your status.
How do I report a change of address?
Upon your arrival in the U.S., report your address to your DSO. If you move, notify your DSO within 10 days so they can update your information in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
What should I do before traveling outside the U.S.?
Before traveling, ensure you have a valid passport, a valid F-1 visa, and have your I-20 form properly endorsed for reentry by your DSO. If you’ve been outside the U.S. for more than five months, contact your DSO for guidance.
Filling out the Form I-20, which is crucial for nonimmigrant students, can be daunting. Many individuals make mistakes that can complicate their study plans in the United States. Recognizing these common pitfalls may help ensure a smoother application process.
One common mistake is providing incorrect personal information. This includes errors in spelling names or incorrect dates of birth, which can lead to significant delays in processing. It's vital to double-check the spelling of both the surname and given names, as any slight discrepancy could raise issues with immigration records.
Another frequent error is misunderstanding the financial information section. Students must ensure they provide accurate information about their funding for the duration of their studies. If the estimated average costs for tuition and living expenses are not well represented, it could suggest to immigration officials that the student lacks adequate financial support. This could jeopardize their visa application.
In addition, failing to sign the form or missing signature dates can lead to the rejection of the application. The student attestation section requires the user's signature, which confirms that all the provided information is true and complete. An unsigned document is not considered valid, thus preventing students from moving forward in the application process.
Lastly, another misstep involves neglecting to follow up with the school’s designated school official (DSO). It’s essential for students to maintain communication with the DSO to ensure that their Form I-20 is processed correctly. This includes clarifying any queries about the form and understanding the implications of any changes in personal information or intended study plans. Engaging actively with the DSO can significantly ease potential issues down the line.
The Form I-20, known as the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, is a crucial document for students aiming to study in the United States. In conjunction with the Form I-20, there are several other important documents that may be required to facilitate the student visa process and maintain status while studying. Below is a list of these documents along with a brief description of each.
Having these documents ready can help streamline the process of obtaining a student visa and maintaining compliance with U.S. immigration requirements. It is vital to ensure all forms are accurate and up to date to avoid complications in your educational journey.
Form DS-160: This is the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form. It serves a similar purpose in that it is used by individuals applying for nonimmigrant visas to enter the U.S. Like the I-20, it requires personal information, including details about the purpose of the visit, and serves as a critical step in obtaining visa approval.
Form I-94: The Arrival/Departure Record is issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to track nonimmigrant visitors in the U.S. Similar to the I-20, the I-94 records information about the visa holder’s status, length of stay, and compliance with the terms of their admission.
Form I-765: This form is used to apply for Employment Authorization Document (EAD). It is similar to the I-20 since both forms relate to the individual's legal status and educational or employment opportunities while in the United States. Both forms require proper documentation of the individual's situation.
Form I-539: This application is used for extending or changing nonimmigrant status. It is akin to the I-20 because both documents involve maintaining legal status within the United States. An individual may need to file I-539 if they want to stay longer for educational purposes beyond their original I-20.
Form SEVIS: The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) includes information on nonimmigrant students in the U.S. Similar to the I-20, it tracks student status, enrollment, and compliance with immigration regulations. Both forms serve to ensure that educational institutions maintain their responsibilities towards international students.
When filling out the I-20 form, it’s vital to proceed cautiously. Here’s a list of 5 dos and don’ts to guide you through the process:
Misconception 1: The I-20 form is only for students who want to study in the United States.
Many people believe that an I-20 is solely a document for students intending to enroll in educational programs. In reality, it also applies to individuals planning to pursue various types of training or research programs. This form acts as proof of acceptance into a full course of study as outlined by U.S. immigration law.
Misconception 2: Losing my I-20 means I can't study in the U.S. anymore.
While losing the I-20 form poses challenges, it doesn’t permanently prevent you from studying in the U.S. Students can request a replacement from their designated school official (DSO). It’s crucial to act quickly and notify the DSO for a smooth transition back to compliance.
Misconception 3: I can work anywhere while on an I-20.
Some students think having an I-20 grants them unrestricted work opportunities. However, that’s not the case. Employment is generally limited to on-campus jobs unless authorization for off-campus work is obtained. Unauthorized work can jeopardize student status.
Misconception 4: The I-20 form is a visa.
The I-20 is often confused with a visa. The I-20 is not a visa; it's a certificate that allows you to apply for a visa. To enter the U.S., students must present a valid I-20 form along with an F-1 visa at the port of entry.
Misconception 5: I can change schools anytime with my current I-20.
Many believe that they can switch institutions freely if they have an I-20. However, transferring schools requires following specific procedures, including notifying your current school and obtaining a new I-20 from the school you wish to attend. Compliance with these steps is essential for maintaining valid status.
Understanding how to properly fill out and utilize the I-20 form is essential for any nonimmigrant student in the United States. Here are key takeaways to keep in mind.
4 Point Inspection Form - Images of the water heater, plumbing under cabinets, and exposed valves illustrate the plumbing system status.
Act of Donation Form - Clear identification of both parties involved is crucial on the donation form.