Applying to US Universities

An I-20 form is an official US government document which certifies eligibility to be an F-1 non-immigrant student at a US University. I-20 is generated when a student is accepted by a US University and shows that he or she has enough financial resources to cover the studies. It is then sent to the student in order to be used to apply for an F-1 visa at a United States Embassy or Consulate in their home country. Getting an I-20 does not make you eligible to enter the United States unless you get a student visa stamped at a US Embassy or Consulate.

Once you have been issued an I-20 form, you should only sign the I-20 for the school that you will be attending in the United States. You should read carefully the regulations listed on the back of the I-20 before you sign it. If there are any errors on the I-20, you should promptly request the University to correct it. Do not apply for a US visa with an I-20 that has errors.

Once you get your student visa and enter the US, I-20 remains a very important document. You will need your I-20 endorsed by the International Students office (or its equivalent) each time you plan to travel abroad or need the duration of your studies extended.