What is the I-20?

All F students studying in the United States need a Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.” Once accepted by a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), international students will receive a Form I-20 from their Designated School Official (DSO). This document carries a fee (the SEVIS Fee) that must be paid directly to the DHS in the amount of $350. This fee is not included in school tuition and is not paid by the school on behalf of the prospective student. The applicant is responsible for paying the fee directly on the DHS website. (At Prospect Visa, we include this service in our package for you!)

You must also obtain a Form I-20 for any qualified dependents you plan to bring with you to the United States. Both you and your DSO must sign the Form I-20. The prospective student must also sign the forms for any dependents, as dependents do not sign, regardless of age. If you are under 18, your parents must sign the Form I-20 for you. The Form I-20 is an important document that you should keep safe, as you will need it throughout your international student journey.