What is i20 visa form: Solve the mystery

Being accepted by the school of your choice in the USA is always wonderful. I also wanted to pursue my dreams of studying in the US however, I was unable to. My younger brother, however, achieved it due to my guidance. To study in the US, you must finish additional paperwork after being chosen if you want to pursue your dream of attending your preferred institution. At this point in time, I-20 Form is very important and necessary. Here I have explained what is i20 visa form and how to get it.

What is i20 visa Form?

The I-20 form is a certificate of eligibility for nonimmigrant student status provided by a SEVP-certified school, stating that a student has been admitted to a full-time study program and has demonstrated financial ability to remain in the United States. Students are given a Form I-20 by their Designated School Official (DSO). 

The proper I-20 Form is given depending on whether the institution you intend to attend is in F-1 or M-1 status. After you pay the money, each institution that accepts you will give you an I-20 form. You must, however, complete the I-20 Form for the school you wish to attend. The I-20 form, which is given to international students, is properly called the ‘Certificate of Eligibility,’ since it allows the student to apply for an F-1 student visa at a US embassy or consulate in his home country.

From the above discussion, now you know what is i20 visa form. Now you will know why a student needs it.

Why do you need an I-20 Form?

“The Form I-20 is a vital document that you should keep secure since you will need it throughout the international student life cycle,” according to the Department of Homeland Security.

The immigration procedure may appear long and exhausting, but once you get the I-20 form, the rest of the process will be much easier. If you have any questions, you can contact the authority who provided you with the form. However, a candidate cannot apply for a US Student Visa without I-20 paperwork.

The I-20 does not ensure you will be granted a visa. To obtain it, you must meet all of the standards established by US authorities. You must also bring the I-20 Form to your visa interview.

The US embassy seeks evidence that the applicant has been accepted into a US institution. This certificate is mailed to candidates with their offer letter/admission letter. To apply for a student visa, you must submit an I-20 form.

This form contains all of your information, including your full name, DOB, school information, and your SEVIS ID. The I-20 is required for every step of a student’s graduate school path, from obtaining a student visa to pursuing an internship. To complete the US immigration procedure, an I-20 document is also necessary.

What is i20 visa form and its uses?

Above we explained what is i20 visa form. Here you will know about its uses.

After receiving the I-20 form, you must pay the I-1901 SEVIS charge. You must pay this charge before entering the United States. This payment requires information from the I-20 form.

The I-20 is a critical component of the visa application process. During the visa interview, the Visa Officers at the embassy might seek an original copy. This form contains information on the program’s financing and cost, as well as how the student intends to pay for it. Aside from that, the form contains information on the program that the aspirant intends to follow. Make certain that the visa type for which you are applying and the one specified on the form are the same.

Advantages of I-20 Form

When you arrive in the United States, the customs officer may request the I-20 form, so keep it available and protected.

Aside from the information listed above, this form can be used to get extra advantages for which an overseas student is eligible. You may require it if you apply for an internship or job, a driver’s license, or a social security number.

When do you need the i20 form?

Students may obtain a fresh Form i20 from their DSO after receiving the first Form I-20 for program approval in the following circumstances-

• If the physical copy of the form is lost or destroyed,
• For travel authorization
• In the event that a student’s SEVIS status changes (e.g., from Initial to Active)
• If any modifications to student information, such as the curriculum of study, optional practical training, or student personal information, are required.

How to Apply for I-20 Form?

It is essential to know how to apply for the I-20 form after knowing What is i20 visa form?

It is a 5 steps process to get the I-20 form. These 5 steps will be discussed below properly.

Step 1 – Once when the admission process is completed then, the institute you selected to enroll in collects all the financial and identity information.

Step 2 – A student’s all personal details are added to the US government’s database, called SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), when a student has done with his or her admission process.

Step 3 – After the details are added to SEVIS, it generates an I-20 form for the candidate.

Step 4 – The collected form from the US government database is signed and stamped by the DSO (designated school official). After signing, they sent that to the applicant.

Step 5 – If you want, you can ask the designated school official (DSO) to change your detail after getting the I-20 form. The official will contact SEVIS then, and they will generate a new I-20 form.

Before you apply for an F-1 or M-1 Visa, make sure that all of the information on your I-20 document is correct. This includes the start date of your course, the program, and sponsorship information.

Contact to the university adviser immediately and ask for a change if there is any mismatch with the information provided on your I-20 form.

Can Changes Be Made in Form I-20?

After knowing, “What is i20 visa form?” It is the first question that comes to an applicant’s mind whether it is possible to make any change to the I20 form. 

So the answer is yes, it is possible to update any information in the I-20 form. Every time you demand any change in the I-20 form, a new I-20 form will be generated by SEVIS. 

A new I-20 will be generated if you want any changes in the following details:

• Changes in the personal details that you mentioned on the form.
• Change in program dates.
• Change in college or university Major.
• Addition of work authorization
• Update on visa status

Paying the I-901 Fee After Receiving Form I-20

After knowing what is i20 visa form and receiving it, the next step is to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee. This fee is compulsory to pay every international student before entering the US.

For all F & M visa applicants, the I-901 SEVIS fee is $350.

Refer to the official PDF to get the answer to your query if your payment gets stuck, or you experience other problems with it.

You need to make sure that you requested your I-20 form from a reputed and trusted courier service, no matter if you have to pay some extra charges for that. This is the essential document for giving the interview at the American Embassy. Without this document, it won’t be possible for you to give an interview at Embassy. So for the security of your I-20 form, choose a trusted courier service.

Conclusion (What is i20 visa form)

The procedure is quite technical. Now you know what is i20 visa form from the above discussion. If you have any questions regarding your I-20 form, you may always contact the university official who provided it to you. It should be emphasized that the I-20 form is only necessary if you want to study in the United States and not in any other nation. Simply follow the procedures attentively to avoid making errors.

FAQs (What is i20 visa form)