Understanding Your I-20 and Visa
What is an I-20?
The I-20 is a vital document issued by government-approved educational institutions in the United States. It serves as a certification that you have been accepted into a full-time program of study and have demonstrated adequate financial resources to support yourself while studying in the U.S. Officially known as the “Certificate of Eligibility,” the I-20 makes you eligible to apply for an F-1 student visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Each dependent, such as a spouse or children, will also require their own I-20 to obtain F-2 dependent status if they intend to accompany you. However, it’s important to note that obtaining the I-20 alone does not guarantee legal F-1 student status; entry into the U.S. as an F-1 student or approval for a change of status from another nonimmigrant visa is also necessary.
How the I-20 is created ?
After completing their admissions process, schools enter the names and biographic information of admitted students into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a U.S. government database. SEVIS processes this data and generates a PDF file of the I-20, which is then transmitted back to the school electronically. The designated school official (DSO), responsible for handling immigration-related matters, prints and signs the I-20 before delivering it to the student. If there are any necessary updates or changes to the information on the I-20, the DSO can make these requests through SEVIS, enabling the document to be easily updated or reproduced as needed. This streamlined process ensures accuracy and efficiency in managing students’ immigration documents.
How the I-20 is used by the student outside the U.S. ?
Outside the U.S.:
- Visa Application: After receiving the I-20 from their school, international students must schedule an appointment to apply for the F-1 visa at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. This visa is essential for entry into the U.S., and both the F-1 visa and the I-20 must be presented to a U.S. immigration inspector upon arrival at the port-of-entry.
Inside the U.S.:
- Identification and Legal Status: Upon arrival in the U.S. and passing through border inspections, the I-20 serves as identification and proof of legal status. When obtaining employment, whether on or off-campus, students are required to present the I-20 to their employers during the hiring process. Information regarding off-campus employment is printed on page 2 of the I-20.
- Traveling with the I-20: If a student plans to travel abroad and then return to the U.S. for studies, they must carry their I-20 with them. The I-20 is necessary for reapplying for a visa (if required) and for re-entering the U.S. Before departing the U.S., students must ensure they have an unexpired travel endorsement from an advisor on page 2 of their I-20.
- Page 2 of the I-20 = F-1 Regulations: Immigration regulations pertaining to F-1 status are listed on page 2 of the I-20. It’s imperative for F-1 students to thoroughly read and understand these rules.
- Completion Date and Grace Period: The completion date on the I-20 is an estimate of the time it may take to fulfill all degree requirements. Students must request an extension from the International Student Services Advisor office if they cannot finish their program by the completion date. After completing their program, students are granted a 60-day grace period to depart the U.S., request a school transfer, or change their status.
- Not Everyone Needs an I-20: Some international students do not require I-20s. Those maintaining other nonimmigrant statuses in the U.S. may attend school full- or part-time.
Understanding U.S. Entry Visa:
- Obtaining a Visa: All nonimmigrant international visitors (except Canadians) must possess the appropriate visa stamp in their passports to enter the U.S. Visas are obtained at U.S. embassies or consulates abroad.
- Purpose of Visa: Visa types correspond to the purpose of the visit. For instance, a student may be given an “F-1” or “J-1” visa classification, while a tourist may receive a “B-2” visa.
- Visa Expiration and Length of Stay: Visa expiration does not determine the length of stay in the U.S. Once in the U.S., other factors dictate the duration of stay, typically aligned with academic program lengths for F-1 or J-1 students.
Understanding the usage of the I-20 both inside and outside the U.S. is crucial for international students to navigate their academic journey smoothly and ensure compliance with immigration regulations.
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