What is the i-20 Form? Role in US Student Visa, the Application Process, and More

Are you a prospective student of a USA university wondering what the i-20 form is all about? This article is your simple guide to understand the importance of form i-20 and all that you will be required to know about it for pursuing higher education in the US.

What is the i-20 Form and who requires it

The i-20 Form is an important document for international students going to study in the United States. International students need to get it from the school they have been admitted to in order to get their US student visa. The i-20 form must have the signature of the designated school official who is authorized to issue the form. 

The i-20 form includes all relevant official information about the student, including the name of the school they will be attending, the duration of their course, as well as the estimated cost of tuition and living expenses. It also contains the student’s financial eligibility to bear the expenses of living and studying in the US as well as contact information of the school in the US they have been admitted to.
 

Form i-20 is thus a mandatory document for international students to pursue their higher education in the USA. It affirms that the student has been enrolled in an authorized study program in the US and has sufficient funds to sustain themselves in the country while studying the course. 

Form i-20 is a requisite for all F-1 (for academic courses) and M-1 (for non-academic/vocational courses) student visas. No international student gets a US student visa without having the requisite i-20 Form. A separate i-20 Form is also required in case there are any eligible dependents who will go with the student to the United States. 

Difference between i-20 form and student visa

Note that the i-20 form is not the same as the student visa, but it will be required for the latter. The two are separate documents and ultimately, both will be required by the student to study in the United States. 
 

A prospective international student going to the US for studies must provide the i-20 form to apply for the student visa, which must be obtained for entering the United States to study.

The i-20 form is issued by the school and it serves as proof that the student is eligible to study in the United States. It is an important part of the student’s application for a student visa. Whereas the student visa is issued by the U.S. Department of State once the student’s application for visa has been approved.

Benefits of having an i-20 form

Having an i-20 form has many benefits for international students. Upon receiving it, one becomes eligible to study in the United States and apply for student visa USA (both F-1 & M-1 categories). It also makes students eligible for several scholarships and financial aid.
 

In addition, the i-20 document will be of advantage in the following other ways as well: 

1. As academic and legal verification

2. To get social security number and driving license in the US

3. To apply for jobs and internships in the United States

4. For traveling within the United States

5. At the time of traveling to and from the United States

6. Re-applying for a US visa
 

On the other hand, not having an i-20 form means the student will not be able to apply for a student visa to study in the United States. This implies the student may also not be eligible for scholarships, financial aid programs, jobs or internships and not be able to travel to and from the United States.

What information is included on the i-20 form?

Issued by the Department of Homeland Security of the United States, the i-20 form includes important information about the student and the school they will be attending. The form includes the student’s name, date of birth, permanent address, and contact information. It also includes the name of the school, the length of the program of study, the estimated cost of tuition and living expenses, the student’s financial information, and the school’s contact information.

The form also includes a section for the student to indicate whether or not they intend to work while studying in the United States. It is important to keep in mind that international students are only allowed to work part-time on-campus and are not allowed to work off-campus without authorization.

The form has your SEVIS ID imprinted right on the top and complete description of policy guidelines for your stay in the US as an overseas student. It is highly recommended that you go through all the points mentioned in the i-20 document one by one.

Who gets the i-20 form?
 

To be eligible to receive the i-20 form, the student must meet certain criteria. They must be enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education in the United States. They must provide evidence of sufficient financial resources to cover the cost of their studies and living in the United States. 
 

The student must also confirm they have no criminal record or history of immigration violations. The school will review the student’s documents, including the financial documents, before issuing the i-20 form. 
 

Before issuing the i-20 form, a student may be required to provide the following:
 

1. A non-refundable deposit amount to secure their admission

2. A bank statement or solvency certificate to confirm their financial capability to fund their education

On receipt of this form, students must submit it along with their student visa application. Once their visa application is approved, they will be able to begin their studies in the United States.

How to receive an i-20 form?

Once a student is through with the admission process, their personal details are entered in the US government database called Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The SEVIS database processes that information and generates an i-20 form accordingly. The i-20 form thus generated is then collected by the college authority, signed and stamped by the designated school official (DSO), and sent out to the prospective student.
 

After obtaining the i-20 form, you can request any changes in the information (such as change in personal details, course details, work authorization, etc.,) to the DSO. The DSO then gets them amended through SEVIS and a new i-20 form is generated. Do keep all the old copies of i-20 forms for your record. However, for work, travel, proof of current student status, etc. always use the latest i-20.

Please make sure that you request for the i-20 document through a trusted courier service like DHL or FEDEX, even if you have to pay $30-40 more because this will ensure your i-20 form reaches you safely.

The i-20 form is a must to determine the student’s eligibility for a student visa. So, if you got this form from more than one university, please do not hold onto the ones you do not need. Because there are many deserving aspirants waiting and you may be wasting their chance by doing so.

Conclusion

As evident from above, i-20 is indispensable when it comes to your stay as a student in the United States. So, make sure to obtain your legit i-20 document and ensure every information on it is filled out correctly. With i-20 in hand, international students can finally ensure that they have all the necessary documents to fulfill their dream of studying in the United States.

The Edmissions team is here to provide you with help throughout the college application process. Before you submit your application to your desired college or university, it is recommended that you get in touch with a Edmissions specialist by registering on the website edmissions.com . 

To learn more about application processing, contact our Edmissions specialists at [email protected] . 

  
For a quick overview related to study abroad, click here