Form I-20

Official Definition

The Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) a SEVP-certified school issues once it has accepted the student and entered them in SEVIS, signed by the student and the school's designated school official.

What Consular Officers Look For

Every F and M student needs a Form I-20, issued by the school's designated school official (DSO) once the student is accepted by a SEVP-certified school. The student and the DSO both sign it, and parents sign for a student under 18. The I-20 shows the SEVIS ID, the school code, the program dates and the estimated costs and funding. The DSO must collect evidence of your financial ability before issuing it.

The original I-20 is expected at the visa interview and must be carried, not packed, when you enter the United States. An I-20 with the older barcode version is no longer valid. The program start date also matters: an F-1 visa can be issued up to 365 days before it, and you can enter up to 30 days before it.

Evidence Strength

Common Refusal / Processing Triggers

Tips for Strengthening Your Evidence

Relevant Document Types

Typical uploads: the Form I-20 showing the SEVIS ID, school and school code, program, dates, estimated expenses and funding, and the school's admission letter.