F-1Document Guide

Form I-20

The Certificate of Eligibility your SEVP-certified school issues after it accepts you

Last updated Oct 28, 2026

Educational only — not legal advice.

Criteria this document supports

Form I-20

What it shows

The Form I-20 is the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. A SEVP-certified school issues it, through its designated school official (DSO), once it has accepted you and entered you in SEVIS. It shows your SEVIS ID, the school code, the program dates and the estimated costs and funding. You and the DSO both sign it, and parents sign for a student under 18.

Strong vs. weak

Strong

Shows the SEVIS ID, school and school code, program and level
Shows program start and end dates, estimated expenses and funding
Signed by the DSO and by the student
School, program and dates match the DS-160 and the rest of the case

Weak

An unsigned or old-barcode form
A program start date that has already passed
A school, program or dates that differ from what the case records

How to prepare it

Check the SEVIS ID, school code, dates, estimated costs and both signatures when the I-20 arrives
Keep the original for the visa interview, and carry it when you enter the United States
Use the SEVIS ID and school code from the I-20 to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee
Keep the school, program and dates identical across every document

Common mistake

Arriving at the interview with a copy or an old-barcode I-20, or one that does not match the school and program on the DS-160.

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