What is Form I-20?
FAQ.
Answered by Robin Catmur-Smith, Managing Director of the International Student Resource Center
Last updated: July, 2026
What is Form I-20?
Form I-20 is the "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status." Your SEVP-certified school issues it from SEVIS once you're admitted to the school. You need it to pay the SEVIS fee, apply for your F-1 visa, enter the U.S., and prove your student status.
What's on the I-20 form?
Your program of study, start and end dates, funding information, and your SEVIS ID number can all be found on Form I-20. It will be issued either for “Initial Attendance” (you will use it to apply for the F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside the U.S.), or “Change of Status” (you will use it to apply for a change of immigration status within the U.S. from USCIS).
What you need form I-20 for:
• Paying the I-901 SEVIS fee
• Applying for an F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate or applying for a change of immigration status from USCIS
• Entering the U.S. in F-1 status at a port of entry
• Proving your lawful student status while in the U.S.
Your DSO (Designated School Official) also updates and signs your I-20 for work authorization (CPT, OPT), program extensions, and travel signatures. Keep it safe and never travel without your original, signed copy.
