Students planning to study in US Universities will require an I-20 form for their student visas. I-20 form is a very important document. The I-20 is issued by the (SEVP) Student and Exchange Visitor Program to the universities that are recognized in the US. The I-20 form helps authorities to confirm that the student looking for student visa is admitted to a recognized university in the US and is a legitimate student.
What is the I-20 Visa Form?
It is a certificate of eligibility for nonimmigrant student status, which helps students in getting the F1 or M1 status. The I-20 Visa for USA helps the authorities ascertain that the student who is applying for the student visa has the means to study in the US and the financial capacity to finance the cost of education and cost of living for the duration of stay in the US. The I-20 Form is provided by the Designated School Official or the DSO to international students.
It certifies the student’s eligibility to get a visa as they are admitted to a recognized educational institution in the US.
Officially it is termed as ‘Certificate of Eligibility’, which confirm that the student is eligible to contact the US consulate or embassy in the native country to apply for the student visa.
Role of I-20 form in a US Visa
Having an I-20 USA Form only helps to make visa process easy in the issuance of a visa. However, the students have a misconception about the I-20 Form that it is a ticket to the US visa, while this isn’t the case. The I-20 Form doesn’t give any guarantee for a US visa.
The university verifies all the details then sends the required documents about the confirmation of admission and the I-20 Form. All the documents required for a student visa, including the I-20 USA Form, are sent via email by the DSO of the university where the student is admitted for pursuing a course.
Types Of I-20 Form
There are two types of I-20 Form issued by the universities to international students. The type of I-20 Form depends on the type of visa that will be issued to the student.
- The first type of I-20 Form is a certificate of eligibility for nonimmigrant students in the Academic and Language courses, and it is called an F1 visa.
- The first type of I-20 Form is a certificate of eligibility for nonimmigrant students in the ocational courses, and it is called an M1 visa.Students needs to give all the necessary details for the I-20 Form, and the information is automatically uploaded to the SEVIS or Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.
The following information is contained in the SEVIS:
- The source of all the finances related to tuition fees and cost of living.
- The universities issue the SEVIS ID number.
- The program on which the student has enrolled.
- The visa officials can use relevant personal information for verification and other purposes.
- The start and end date of the program.
- The tuition fee of the course for which the student has secured admission.
What are the Requirements for I-20 USA Form?
To get the I-20 Form from the university’s DSO, one has to ensure that the below-mentioned I-20 visa USA requirements are met:
- The university or the educational institution in the US must accept the application for admission. The educational institution must be SEVP Certified.
- The university must confirm that the student has the financial capacity to pay the tuition fee and also bear the cost of living for the duration of studies in the US. It should also confirm that all the personal information given by the student is correct.
- Bank Statement:Students have to send a copy of the bank statement for the issuance of the I-20 Form.
- Loan Sanction Letter from the Lenders:Students should have the loan sanction letter from an authentic lender. It should contain the loan amount, the date of issuance of the loan letter, and all the information must be clearly visible.
- Evidence to Substantiate that the Student Will Return to the Native Country:It is an important aspect of getting the I-20 Form as the US visa officials require solid reasons to believe that the student will return to the home country. To substantiate the intent of returning, the students need to give property documents; parents job details, social proof, or anything substantial that can convince the authorities that the student has sufficient reasons to return to the home country.
- Payment of I-901 SEVIS Fee:To pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee, which is $200, the student should have the I-20 Form with them, without which it is impossible to complete the payment. Students seeking both F1 and M1 visas are required to pay for the I-901 SEVIS Fee, and one needs to provide the following information:
- Name, Date of Birth, and Address of the student visa applicant. All the information must be the same as that in the mark sheet and certificates.
- The place of birth (i.e. the nationality of the visa applicant), and the status of present citizenship.
- School Code as listed on the Form I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.”
- The I-20 Form also includes the SEVIS Identification number, which has to be provided at the time of payment of the SEVIS fee.
Use of I-20 Form After Entering the US
I-20 Form can be used to take the driver’s license and open a bank account.. The I-20 Form is also used when students wish to re-enter the US. There are several occasions when students leave the US due to projects, research work, seminars, vacations, etc., each time students must show the I-20 Form.
What is the Cost of the I-20 Form?
- Although there are no direct US I-20 fees, which the university itself provides, students should be aware of many connected I-20 visa cost, mentioned below.
- Application Cost to Educational Institutions:The majority of universities and colleges charge an application fee ranging from $50 to $100 or higher. The student will not receive the I-20 form until the application procedure is finished and admission is approved.
- SEVIS Charge:Currently, applicants for F-1 visas must pay a $350 SEVIS fee. This cost needs to be paid in order to attend the visa interview at the US Embassy.
- Application Fee for Visas:Students must pay the visa application charge or the Machine-Readable Visa cost, or MRV fee in addition to the SEVIS fee. Most nonimmigrant visas, such as the F-1 student visa, have a $160 application fee.
Students can also ask for a new I-20 form in case it is lost , destroyed or any other reason.