Form I-20
Issued by an SEVP-certified school after the student has been accepted and has met the school's requirements.
U.S. STUDY • FORM I-20 • F-1
U.S. Study, Form I-20 & the F-1 Pathway for Your Situation
AFG helps students explore study programs, select schools, prepare admission materials and understand Form I-20. The next F-1 steps depend on whether you are currently outside or already inside the United States.
Already in the United States? Explore Change of Status
School selection
Admission
Form I-20
F-1 pathway
What is Form I-20?
Form I-20 – Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status – is issued by an SEVP-certified school to a student after the student has been accepted and has completed the school's applicable requirements.
Form I-20 is not a visa.
Form I-20 is an important document in the F-1 pathway, but being issued a Form I-20 does not mean an F-1 visa has been granted or that F-1 status has been approved.
Where Form I-20 sits in the pathway
- 01SEVP-certified school
- 02Student is accepted by the school
- 03School requirements completed
- 04School issues Form I-20
- 05Applicable F-1 steps depending on the case
This diagram illustrates a general process and is not advice for a specific case.
Form I-20, F-1 visa & F-1 status — what's the difference?
F-1 visa
An F-1 visa is generally used to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request admission for study purposes under F-1. Visa issuance is decided by U.S. consular authorities.
F-1 status
The nonimmigrant student status held in the United States after admission at a port of entry, or after USCIS approves a Change of Status to F-1, depending on the case.
These three concepts are related, but they are not the same thing.
Are you currently outside or already in the United States?
Your current location and status determine the F-1 process you need to understand.
PATH 01
Outside the U.S. — studying on F-1
For students currently outside the United States who wish to attend a school authorized to enroll international students in F-1 classification.
- Select a school
- Acceptance by the school
- Form I-20
- I-901 SEVIS Fee
- DS-160 & F-1 visa application
- Consular interview
- Travel to the U.S. if a visa is issued and CBP admits you at the port of entry
An F-1 visa does not guarantee admission to the United States; admission decisions are made by CBP at the port of entry.
PATH 02
Already in the U.S. — exploring Change of Status to F-1
If you are in the United States in a nonimmigrant status such as B-1/B-2 and later develop a need for long-term study, you may need to explore whether a Change of Status to F-1 is possible in your case.
- Review of current status
- Select a school
- Acceptance by the school
- Form I-20 for Change of Status
- I-901 SEVIS Fee
- Form I-539 / Change of Status where appropriate
- USCIS adjudication
Currently in the U.S. on B-1/B-2?
Receiving a Form I-20 from a school, or filing a Change of Status request, does not mean you already hold F-1 status.
For a program that requires F-1, a person in visitor status generally should not begin a course of study before a Change of Status to F-1 is approved, other than short recreational study permitted in visitor status.
Every case should be reviewed based on current status, I-94, filing timing and the specific circumstances involved.
From Vietnam to a school in the United States
A study pathway usually begins with choosing the right program and school.
- 01
Define your study goals
Explore fields of study, programs, duration and expected budget.
- 02
Select a school
Review suitable schools and their admission requirements.
- 03
Prepare admission materials
Organize the admission file and the school's financial requirements.
- 04
Receive Form I-20
After acceptance and completion of applicable requirements, the school may issue Form I-20.
- 05
SEVIS & F-1 visa steps
Complete the I-901 SEVIS Fee and the F-1 visa steps under applicable guidance.
- 06
Prepare for enrollment
Track the academic calendar, school information and the steps to prepare before traveling to the United States.
In the U.S. on B-1/B-2 and considering a shift to study?
A Change of Status is a request to USCIS to change nonimmigrant status while the applicant is inside the United States. It is not a way to “change a visa” in the passport.
Change of Status ≠ new visa
If USCIS approves a Change of Status to F-1 while you are in the United States, that creates F-1 status inside the country as granted in the decision. If you later depart, returning generally requires the appropriate F-1 visa process at a consular post, unless other rules apply.
Current status
I-94 and the authorized period of stay.
Form I-20
A Form I-20 appropriate for a Change of Status.
Financial ability
Information supporting study and living costs as applicable requirements provide.
Timing & program start date
Coordination with the school/DSO while a request is pending with USCIS.
How AFG supports you
01
School & program direction
Understand study goals, budget and suitable school or program options to begin with.
02
Admission & Form I-20
Help organize admission materials, coordinate school requirements and follow the process related to Form I-20.
03
SEVIS & F-1 steps
Help clients understand the next steps after Form I-20, depending on whether they are outside or inside the United States.
04
Enrollment timeline follow-up
Coordinate information about the program start date, school requirements and the next steps to prepare.
Frequently asked questions about I-20 & F-1
STUDY IN THE UNITED STATES
Are you currently outside or already in the United States?
The process is different depending on your current location and status. Tell AFG about your situation and study goals so we can begin identifying the appropriate path to explore.