Official name:
Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status – For Academic and Language Students Official Website Link
What it actually is:
A three-page document issued by your U.S. college that proves:
✅ You've been accepted to a real, legitimate school
✅ Your school is certified by the U.S. government to accept international students
✅ You're enrolled full-time in an academic program
✅ You have enough money to pay for school
✅ The U.S. government knows you're coming to study
Who issues it:
Your school's DSO (Designated School Official). Typically, it's someone in the international student office.
When you get it:
After you're officially accepted AND after you prove you can afford to attend.
Why you need it:
To pay the SEVIS fee (required before visa application)
To apply for your F-1 student visa at the U.S. embassy
To enter the United States
To prove you're a legal student while you're here
To travel in and out of the U.S. during school
To maintain your legal status
Important truth: This document controls your entire life as an international student in the U.S. Lose it, ignore it, or let it expire, and you're in serious trouble.
🆚 I-20 vs. F-1 Visa: What's the Difference?
This confuses almost everyone, so let's break it down:
Form I-20 | F-1 Visa |
Document from your school | Stamp in your passport from U.S. government |
Proves you're accepted to study | Permission to enter the U.S. |
Valid for your entire program | Has an expiration date |
You get this FIRST | You get this SECOND (after I-20) |
Free from your school | Costs $185 + $350 SEVIS fee |
Keeps you legal while in the U.S. | Only needed to enter the U.S. |
📄 What Information Is On Your I-20?
Your I-20 has three pages packed with important information. Here's what's on it:
Page 1: The Main Information
Your Personal Details:
Full name (must match your passport EXACTLY)
Date of birth
Country of birth
Country of citizenship
Passport number
Your SEVIS Information:
SEVIS ID number - Super important. Starts with N followed by 10 digits (like N0012345678). You'll use this number for EVERYTHING.
Class of admission: F-1 (for academic students)
Your School's Information:
School name
School address
School's SEVIS code
DSO's name and signature
Your Program Details:
Degree level (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, etc.)
Major/field of study
Program start date - You can enter the U.S. up to 30 days before this date
Program end date - When your studies should finish (can be extended)
Financial Information:
Total cost for your first year (tuition, fees, room, board, books, personal expenses)
How you're paying for it:
School scholarship/assistantship
Personal funds
Family funds
Other sources
Signatures:
DSO signature and date
Your signature and date (or parent's signature if you're under 18)
Page 2: Employment and Travel
Employment authorization section:
Space for work authorization (CPT, OPT)
Updated as/if you get permission to work
Travel endorsement section:
This is where your DSO signs to authorize you to travel
Signature valid for 1 year for continuing students
Signature valid for 6 months if you're on OPT
You MUST have a current travel signature to re-enter the U.S.
Page 3: Instructions
Basic instructions about maintaining your status and what to do with the form.