The I-20 serves as proof of your acceptance into a SEVP-certified institution for full-time academic pursuits. It is essential for paying the SEVIS I-901 fee and initiating the application process for an F-1 student visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Furthermore, it is imperative to carry your signed I-20 with you when traveling to the U.S.

Once your completed application is submitted and payment is received, it will take us no more than 2 weeks for you to receive Form I-20. Usually this process does not take more than 3 days.

It is very important that you first obtain your I-20 before making a visa appointment and that you refrain from making travel plans until you have your I-20 and have received your passport and visa.

The I-20, also called a “Certificate of Eligibility”, confirms that the student has been admitted to a school that is approved by the US government to enrol non-immigrants. The I-20 is issued by the Designated School Official (DSO) at the school where the student intends to study and is required by the US Embassy/Consulate to obtain the F-1 visa. In addition, F-1 students must maintain their status while studying.

Your I-20 is valid for as long as you are enrolled at a SEVIS-certified school in the US and are maintaining your F-1 status.
If you wish to extend your course, you must request this before your last day of study; if approved for the extension, your I-20 will be extended as well. After your last day of study you may be permitted a grace period of up to 60 calendar days to transfer to another school or depart the US; the length of your Grace Period will depend on whether you have maintained your status.

If you believe you need to continue studies after your current program end date, you must speak to your DSO to see if you qualify for an extension. It is important that you pace yourself during your studies to ensure you meet your academic goals in a timely manner and hence complete your studies by the end date listed on your I-20.
Please note, all requests for I-20 extensions must be made to your DSO before your last day of study. I-20 extensions will not be granted if requested after your last day of study.

You may receive your I-20 by online, regular mail or by courier.
If you choose courier service then there is a courier fee.

If you have not received your F-1 Student Visa yet, you can change your school location. You must contact us to confirm the new location and to obtain a new I-20 for your new school; note, a change in school location requires a new I-20 with a new SEVIS ID number. If you have already paid the I-901 fee, you must transfer the SEVIS I-901 fee to the new I-20. Your original I-20 will be cancelled which means you cannot use it to obtain a visa or enter the US.

If your visa has already been issued, you can change locations but you will need to consult with the US Embassy/Consulate to find out if you will need a new visa. (US law requires that the name of the school on your I-20 match the name of the school on your visa for successful entry to the US. If the school names do not match, you may be denied entry to the US)

You can find a list of documents required for enrollment and issuance of Form I-20 on the page of the educational institution or program of study.

You can change your start date any time before entering the US; however, you must contact with us to confirm your new start date and there must be time for us to send you a revised I-20. It is required by US law that you enter the US with an accurate I-20 for your studies, failure to abide by this can result in problems at the US Port of Entry and/or US Embassy/Consulate and may result in denial of entry to the US.
Once you enter the US you cannot postpone your start date, there are no exceptions to this rule; however, if you want to begin studies before your start date, this may be acceptable. Please note, US law does NOT permit entry to the US more than 30 days before your I-20 start date.

An F-1 student visa is a travel document that permits a student to travel to a port of entry and request permission to enter the U.S. for the purposes of full-time study for a temporary period of time.