Everything you need to know about Form I-20

Form I-20 is a document issued by a U.S. educational institution to international students who are admitted to a full-time academic program. It is also known as the "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status" and is an essential document for students who wish to obtain an F-1 or M-1 student visa.

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The I-20 contains important information about the student's program of study, duration of stay in the U.S., estimated costs of tuition and living expenses, and other relevant details. The information on the I-20 is entered into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which is a web-based system that maintains information on international students and exchange visitors to the United States.

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The process of obtaining an I-20 begins when a student applies to a U.S. educational institution and is accepted for enrollment in a full-time academic program. The institution will issue an I-20 to the student, which the student can then use to apply for a student visa at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. The I-20 must be presented to the consular officer during the visa interview along with other required documents.

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Once the student arrives in the U.S., they must provide the I-20 to the designated school official (DSO) at their institution within the first few days of their program start date. The DSO will then verify the student's information in SEVIS and activate their record.It is important for international students to keep their I-20 up-to-date and valid throughout their stay in the U.S. Any changes to their program of study or personal information must be reported to the DSO, who will update the information in SEVIS and issue a new I-20 if necessary.

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In summary, the Form I-20 is a critical document for international students who wish to study in the United States. It serves as proof of the student's acceptance to a U.S. educational institution and their eligibility for a student visa. It also contains important information about the student's program of study and duration of stay in the U.S.