top of page

About the Form I-20


About the Form I-20

F-1 Visa students must have a valid I-20 in order to study in the US. The I-20 proves that you are legally enrolled at an education program in the US (e.g., an ESL program). An approved US school can issue I-20s. It shows that you have sufficient financial resources to stay in the US and allows you to apply for an F-1 Student Visa at a US embassy abroad. Once you receive your Form I-20 from a Designated School Official (“DSO”), you can pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System Fee. You have to pay this before you enter the US.

Your I-20 will list your program start date and you can enter the US 30 days before the start date. You need to bring the original I-20 when you enter the US and a Customs and Border Protection officer will review it when you arrive at the airport (or other port of entry).

The consular officer might deny your student visa if they think there are errors in it. You must check if your name is spelled correctly, it has the correct program of study, it is signed by a DSO, etc. A common issue with I-20s is when the date on your I-20 has a date listed when you are supposed to report to school, but it already past. If this happens, you will likely be denied to study. You should talk with your DSO and an immigration attorney if you have questions about your I-20.

---------------------------------------------

No Attorney-Client Relationship Created by Use of this Website: Neither your receipt of information from this website, nor your use of this website to contact Santamaria Law Firm, PC or one of its lawyers creates an attorney-client relationship between you and the Firm.

No Legal Advice is Intended: This website includes general information about legal issues and developments in the law. Such materials are for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal developments.

#f1visa #studentvisa #visainterview #studyintheus #i20 #ds160

33 views

Recent Posts

See All
​NEW CASE/CONSULTATION:

info@usimmigrationplan.com

+ 1 (415) 745 - 3650

100 Pine Street, Suite 1250

San Francisco, CA 94111, USA

Member Logo_2019.jpg
PRACTICE AREAS

Non Immigrant Visa

H-1B Visa

L-1 Visa

E Visa

R-1 Visa

​O-1 Visa

​P Visa

​B1/B2 Visa

Employment Based Immigrant Visa

EB-1: Priority Workers

EB-2: Advanced Degree or NIW

EB-3: Skilled/Unskilled Workers

EB-4: Religious Workers & Special Immigrants

EB-5: Investor Visa

Deportation/Removal Proceedings

Immigration Court Defense

Waivers of Unlawful Presence Bar

Motion to Reopen/Reconsider

Family Petition

Fiancée Visa

Marriage Visas

​Adjustment of Status through Marriage

Petition for Family Members

Petition for Adopted Child

Humanitarian

Asylum & Refugee

​Temporary Protected Status

​VAWA

U Visa

T Visa

​And Others

Santamaria Law Firm
bottom of page