Get Attach Your Current I-20 Or DS2019 With This Form When Requesting A Travel Signature

All F and M students that study in the United States need a Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.” Once accepted into a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school, international students will receive a Form I-20 from their designated school official (DSO).

The first step is to apply to a SEVP-approved school in the United States. After the SEVP-approved school accepts your enrollment, you will be registered for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. The SEVP-approved school will issue you a Form I-20.

The U.S. Government database SEVIS (Student Exchange Visitor Information System), has generated your I-20. In the upper right hand corner of your I-20 you will see your unique SEVIS number, which begins with the letter “N”. All students receiving a new initial I-20 must pay the SEVIS fee of $350 online.

Once an international student is accepted into a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school, their designated school official (DSO) will issue them a Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”

If you will be traveling within the United States—driving on major highways, or riding on buses, trains, or planes—you should carry your passport, I-94 card, and I-20 or DS-2019. You are not required to have a valid travel signature when traveling within the United States, but we do recommend it.

Once all the required documents have been received and processed, the I-20 can be available within 7 business days. What information does the school need? What if I receive my I-20 and it is incorrect?

What is an I-20 or DS-2019? The I-20 is the document F-1 students need from The New School in order to apply for the F-1 student visa; the DS-2019 is the document J-1 students need in order to apply for the J-1 student visa.

If you did not receive a travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019 before traveling, please request Form I-515A at the immigration port of entry. It is most likely the Customs and Border Protection officer at the U.S. Port of Entry will issue you an I-515 form.