I-20 for international students

I-20 for international student

Most international students will need an F-1 (student) visa to study in the USA.

Once an international student receives his or her acceptance letter from Bluedata, an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility may be obtained with the assistance of our Designated School Official (DSO). The I-20 can be used to apply for an F-1 visa as a U.S. embassy or consulate. Of course, you as an individual are responsible for obtaining and maintaining a valid passport from your home country. Here are some of frequently asked questions about I-20.

What Is I-20 For International Students?

The I-20 form for a student visa in the USA is a Certificate of Eligibility issued by accredited schools in the US for international students on an F-1 student visa or M-1 student visa. The I-20 form proves that you are a legitimate student studying in the US and is an important step in getting your student F1 visa. Once an international student is accepted, our school's designated school official (DSO) issues a Form I-20. It is an important document that you should keep safe, as you will need it throughout the international student life cycle. Along with your passport, visa, and arrival/departure record (form I-94), I-20 form should be kept current and up-to-date at all times. Students must report any changes to the information contained on the form to our office as soon as the change occurs.

As of October 12, 2021, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security(link is external) allows I-20s to be signed and distributed electronically by Designated School Officials (DSOs).

There are two types of I-20 forms issued to international students, depending on the type of visa:

Form I-20 for international students, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status – For Academic and Language Students
Form I-20 for international students, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status – For Vocational (occupational) Students

How Can I Get an I-20?

In order to apply for an I-20,

first determine whether you are an Initial (from outside of the USA), Transfer (in the USA), or Change of Status student. A Transfer student is someone who already has an I-20 and an F-1 student visa. A Change of Status student is someone who has a different visa.)
Once you have filled out the registration form, Bluedata will email you a Student Application Form, a CELSA Entrance Test and request the necessary documents. The necessary documents are different depending on your status.
Bluedata will send you an I-20 Form
After all documents are collected and once you’ve paid the fee, the form I-20, I-901 SEVIS Fee receipt and an Acceptance Letter from Bluedata will be sent to you!

In order to apply for I-20 for international students, you will need to provide proof that you or your sponsor (which is probably your parents) have enough funds to cover the costs of your stay in the United States. This typically means that you will need to get an official bank statement from your bank.

For the students who will have to submit the bank statement of your sponsor, you will be given an Affidavit of Support (Sponsor Statement.) form to fill out.

After submitting the Affidavit of Support form, the school will review it. If you are approved, Bluedata will give you a form I-20 for international students.

When Do I Need the I-20 Form?

The I-20 form is very important and you will need it for various things, including:

At your visa application interview
When entering the United States for the first time
If you travel abroad (you need it to re-enter the US!)
When applying for a driver’s license in the US
When paying your I-901 SEVIS fee

How Long Is My I-20 Valid?

Your I-20 form will list the date when your studies are to begin. You may enter the United States up to 30 days before this date.

The expiration date will be the date your I-20 form indicates that the program will end. At this point, you will lose your student visa status and must leave the United States within 60 days.

Can I Extend My I-20?

Yes! The completion date on your I-20 or DS-2019 is an estimate. If you will not complete your program objective by that date, you must request an extension. The U.S. Immigration regulations require that I-20s and DS-2019s remain valid during the course of study.

How Many Times Can I Extend I-20?

You must request I-20 extension if you need to continue your studies past your program end date. Extension requests can be made for minimum of one semester and maximum of one year at a time. If you need an additional two years to complete your coursework, you will need to extend two times (one year at a time)