What Is Form I-20?
Form I-20, formally the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, is the document that a US college or university issues to an international student who has been admitted and meets the school's requirements. It lets the student apply for an F-1 or M-1 student visa and enter the United States, and it is the central record of the student's program.
What it contains
The form lists the student's name, date of birth and country, the school, the program of study and level, the start and end dates of the program, an estimate of costs for the year, and the funding sources the student has shown. It carries a SEVIS identification number, which ties the student to the government's student tracking system, and the signature of a designated school official.
How you get one
- Apply and be admitted to a school that is approved to enroll international students.
- Submit financial documents that show you can pay tuition and living costs.
- Receive the I-20 from the school's international office, as a PDF or on paper.
- Pay the SEVIS fee and attend a visa interview at a US embassy or consulate, bringing the I-20.
- Enter the US and report to your school by the start date.
Rules, fees and processes change, so check the official US government and school guidance.
Keeping it valid
- Sign it where required, and keep it with your passport when you travel.
- Do not let the program end date pass without an extension.
- Tell your designated school official about changes in your address, major, funding or enrollment.
- Maintain full-time enrollment unless you have approval for a reduced load.
- Ask for a travel signature before leaving the US, since reentry usually needs a recent endorsement.
- Request a new I-20 if you transfer schools or change levels.
Work and training
Employment authorization such as on-campus work, optional practical training and curricular practical training is recorded on the I-20. Do not start work without approval.
Why it matters
Your legal status in the US depends on following the rules linked to the I-20. Problems with enrollment or paperwork can put your status at risk, so talk to the international office early if anything changes.
Related terms
See SEVIS, designated school official, curricular practical training, blocked account and letter of acceptance.
Frequently asked questions
Who issues the I-20?
The international student office of the school you plan to attend, after you are admitted and show enough funds. It is issued through the SEVIS system.
Do I need to keep my I-20 after arriving?
Yes. Keep it safe, since you will need it for travel, work authorization and other requests. Ask your designated school official to update it when your program, funding or other details change.
What happens if my I-20 expires?
You need to apply for an extension before the program end date shown on it, through your school official. Do not let it lapse, since your status depends on it.