Form I-20 is an official document issued by U.S. schools that international students need to fill out to apply for an F-1 or M-1 visa.
The form can only be obtained from your designated school officer (DSO) once you’re accepted into a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school. However, our printable Form I-20 sample can show you what to expect.
Form I-20 is an official document issued by U.S. schools that international students need to fill out to apply for an F-1 or M-1 visa.
The form can only be obtained from your designated school officer (DSO) once you’re accepted into a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school. However, our printable Form I-20 sample can show you what to expect.
Form I-20, or the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, is used to apply for an M-1 or F-1 visa. International students must prove that they have been admitted to a full-time program at a SEVP-certified school, and this document demonstrates that they have the right to be in the U.S.
All international students accepted into an institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) should use Form I-20. They should always keep this document on hand, as losing it may result in complications with proving their student status.
There is no specific due date for Form I-20, but you need to have it on time to pay your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee, apply for a visa, and enter the country. Without it, none of this is possible.
If your school doesn’t issue you a Form I-20, you can’t obtain the student visa you need for your stay during the studies. In other words, you can’t enter the country and attend the program. However, if you’ve lost or destroyed Form I-20 while in the U.S. and have not received a replacement, you may face immigration complications or loss of status.
You don’t file Form I-20; instead, your DSO issues it to you upon request, after you get accepted by a SEVP-certified school and provide proof of sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses. Once you have the form, keep it with you at all times.
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You can get a blank Form I-20 from your designated school official once you’re accepted into the U.S. educational institution you applied for. Each school issues a personalized Form I-20 through SEVIS, so it’s important to obtain the correct one. Here on pdf.net, we only offer an example of a Form I-20.
No, you can’t submit Form I-20 electronically when applying for a visa; even if your DSO sent you an electronic copy, you must print it for your interview. Furthermore, you should bring this physical copy when entering the U.S. and for all other official purposes.
If your Form I-20 is missing information, immediately contact your DSO and request a new copy. Don’t try to apply for a visa or enter the country with an incomplete Form I-20, as you’ll surely be denied.
Yes, you can fill out your Form I-20 online with our PDF editor. There isn’t much to fill out, though; only the short student attestation section. However, keep in mind that the student's signature must be handwritten.
This form is free to view and edit, but if you want to download Form I-20, you need to purchase one of the subscription plans available on our pricing page.
Yes, you can correct mistakes on Form I-20, and you should do so as soon as you notice them. Contact your DSO and request a new, corrected form to avoid potential complications, and never try to change anything by yourself.
Form I-20 is typically processed approximately 1–3 weeks, after which it is issued to the student who requested it. The exact processing time depends on the number of applications and the completeness of the provided documentation.
Fees associated with the I-20 USA are SEVIS fees, which are $350 for F-1 students. This fee must be paid before you enter the country with your visa and Form I-20.
An I-20 is valid for the time required to complete the academic program you were admitted to. If you cannot complete the program by the deadline, contact your DSO and ask them for an extension. You must do this at least 15 days before the expiration date.
If your I-20 expires and you don’t have an extension, you lose your legal F-1 status and begin an unlawful stay in the U.S. As a result, you may face deportation.