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The I-20 form, officially known as the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, is a crucial document for international students wishing to study in the United States. This form is issued by a U.S. school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and serves as proof that a student has been accepted into a full-time educational program. It includes essential details such as the student's personal information, academic program, school information, and financial requirements. The I-20 form also plays a significant role in the visa application process, as it must be presented to a U.S. consular officer when applying for an F-1 visa. Additionally, students must carry their I-20 at all times while in the U.S. and present it upon entry into the country. The form outlines the terms of the student’s admission, including the start and end dates of their program, the estimated costs for tuition and living expenses, and the conditions under which they may work. Understanding the I-20 form is essential for maintaining legal student status and ensuring compliance with U.S. immigration regulations.

Key takeaways

Understanding the I-20 form is essential for international students in the United States. Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind:

  • Primary Document: The I-20 form serves as the main document proving your eligibility as a nonimmigrant student.
  • Always Carry It: Keep your I-20 with you at all times while in the United States. Losing it may require you to request a new one from your school.
  • Visa Application Requirement: Present the I-20 to the U.S. consular officer when applying for your F-1 visa.
  • Report to Your School: Upon entering the U.S., report to the designated school official (DSO) at the school listed on your I-20.
  • Employment Regulations: Employment without authorization can jeopardize your status. On-campus work is allowed, while off-campus work requires prior approval.
  • Program Duration: You may remain in the U.S. as long as you maintain full-time enrollment or authorized employment, but be aware of the expiration dates on your I-20.
  • Address Updates: Notify your DSO of any change in your U.S. address within 10 days to keep your records accurate.
  • Reentry Endorsement: If you leave the U.S., ensure your I-20 is endorsed for reentry by your DSO to avoid complications when returning.
  • Compliance is Key: Adhering to the terms of your I-20 is crucial. Noncompliance can lead to the loss of your student status.

By keeping these points in mind, you can navigate the complexities of your status as a nonimmigrant student more effectively.

Documents used along the form

The Form I-20 is a crucial document for nonimmigrant students in the United States. It certifies that the student has been accepted into an academic program and is eligible to apply for an F-1 visa. Along with the I-20, several other forms and documents are often required to ensure compliance with immigration regulations. Below are four common documents associated with the I-20.

  • F-1 Visa: This visa is essential for international students wishing to study in the United States. It allows students to enter the U.S. for the duration of their academic program as outlined in the Form I-20.
  • Texas Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale: This essential document records the transfer of vehicle ownership and is crucial for both buyers and sellers in ensuring all legal requirements are met, as outlined by Formaid Org.
  • Passport: A valid passport is required for entry into the United States. It should be valid for the duration of the student's stay and must be presented along with the I-20 and visa at the port of entry.
  • Financial Support Documents: Students must provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition, fees, and living expenses while studying in the U.S. This can include bank statements, scholarship letters, or affidavits of support.
  • Travel Endorsement: This endorsement on the Form I-20 is necessary for re-entry into the U.S. after temporary travel abroad. It must be signed by a designated school official and is valid for one year.

Understanding these documents is vital for maintaining legal status while studying in the United States. Ensuring that all forms are completed and submitted correctly can help avoid complications with immigration authorities.

Dos and Don'ts

When filling out the I-20 form, it's essential to ensure accuracy and compliance with the requirements set by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Here are seven important dos and don’ts to keep in mind:

  • Do read all instructions carefully before starting to fill out the form.
  • Do provide accurate and complete information. Double-check your details to avoid mistakes.
  • Do keep a copy of the completed form for your records.
  • Do ensure that your designated school official (DSO) reviews the form before submission.
  • Don't leave any required fields blank. Fill in all necessary sections.
  • Don't provide false information or omit critical details, as this can lead to severe penalties.
  • Don't forget to sign and date the form, along with your parent or guardian if you are under 18.

Common mistakes

Filling out the I-20 form can be a crucial step for international students seeking to study in the United States. However, many make mistakes that can lead to delays or complications in their application process. Here are eight common errors to avoid.

One frequent mistake is failing to provide accurate personal information. This includes your surname, given name, and country of citizenship. Even small typos can cause significant issues, as the information on the I-20 must match your passport and other official documents. Double-checking this section can save you time and stress later on.

Another common error involves not signing the form. Both the student and the designated school official must provide their signatures. If the form is not signed, it will be considered incomplete, leading to potential delays in processing.

Some individuals neglect to fill out the financial information accurately. The I-20 requires you to demonstrate your ability to cover tuition and living expenses for at least nine months. Providing incorrect figures or failing to include all necessary documentation can result in your application being denied.

Students often overlook the importance of reporting their U.S. address to their designated school official (DSO) upon arrival. This is not just a formality; it is a legal requirement. If you move, you must update your DSO within 10 days to ensure that your records remain current.

Additionally, many applicants forget to include their program of study and major. This information is essential for the I-20 to be valid. If the program listed does not match what you are actually studying, it could lead to complications with your visa status.

Another mistake is not keeping a copy of the I-20 form. This document is vital for your visa application and must be presented at various points during your stay in the U.S. Losing it can complicate your immigration status.

Some students fail to understand the importance of maintaining their full-time student status. The I-20 form stipulates that you must pursue a full course of study. Falling below this requirement can jeopardize your visa status, so it’s crucial to stay informed about your enrollment status.

Finally, many applicants do not seek help when they are unsure about any part of the form. It’s always better to ask questions and clarify doubts with your DSO rather than risk making a mistake that could affect your ability to study in the U.S.

File Characteristics

Fact Name Description
Purpose of the I-20 Form The I-20 form is used to confirm that a student has been accepted into a U.S. educational institution and is eligible for nonimmigrant student status.
SEVIS ID Each I-20 form includes a SEVIS ID, which is a unique identifier for the student in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.
Employment Authorization The I-20 form outlines conditions under which students may work, including on-campus employment and Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
Program Duration The form specifies the program start and end dates, which are critical for maintaining lawful student status in the U.S.
Legal Authority The issuance of the I-20 form is governed by U.S. immigration laws, specifically 8 CFR 214.2(f) and 8 U.S.C. 1101.

Form Sample

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.

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE OF:

 

 

 

DATE

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

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

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 (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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TYPE

 

AUTHORIZATION DATES

 

CPT

 

01 JULY 2016 - 15 JULY 2016

 

EMPLOYER NAME

START DATE

END DATE

CITY & STATE

 

SEVP applied labs

01 JULY 2016

15 JULY 2016

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

 

SIGNATURE

 

DATE ISSUED

 

PLACE ISSUED

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ICE Form I-20 A-B (3/31/2018)

Page 2 of 3

Department of Homeland Security

I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

OMB NO. 1653-0038

 

 

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.

ICE Form I-20 A-B (3/31/2018)

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