What is I 20 Form for the US Student Visa in 2026

Quick Summary: What You Need to Know Before You Read

What is I 20 form? It is a 3-page DHS document issued by your SEVP-certified school that certifies your eligibility as a nonimmigrant student. It is the foundation of your entire F-1 or M-1 status.
Who issues it? Your school's Designated School Official (DSO), not DHS or a consulate. You cannot apply for one directly.
Current SEVIS I-901 fee (2026): $350 for F-1 and M-1 students
Visa advance-notice rule: Consular officers can issue F-1/M-1 visas up to 365 days before your program start date (changed from 120 days in February 2023).
Entry window: You may arrive in the US no earlier than 30 days before the program start date on your I-20.
Critical 2026 policy change: DHS is finalising a rule to end 'Duration of Status' (D/S). The White House cleared the final rule on June 17, 2026. Once published in the Federal Register, it will introduce a 4-year fixed stay limit, require USCIS extension filings for longer programs, and cut the post-completion grace period from 60 to 30 days.
Grace period (current rule): 60 days after program completion for F-1 students. May change to 30 days if the D/S rule is finalised.
Keep your I-20 accessible always: Do not pack it in checked luggage. CBP officers at the port of entry will ask for it.

Prepare Financially for your upcoming US stint. Open a bank account in the U.S. before landing with Zolve.

What Is Form I20?

Form I-20, officially the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, is a document issued by US schools certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a branch of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The form is generated and maintained through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a real-time federal database that links students, their schools, and US government agencies.

The I-20 has two variants:

Form I-20 for Academic and Language Students - issued for F-1 visa holders pursuing undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, or language programs
Form I-20 for Vocational Students - issued for M-1 visa holders at vocational or non-academic institutions

Despite their different names, both forms follow the same 3-page structure and are described on the official DHS Study in the States page.

It is worth clarifying a common confusion: your F-1 or M-1 visa stamp in your passport is merely your entry document. Once you are inside the United States, what determines the lawfulness of your stay is your I-20 and your active SEVIS status. You can have an expired visa stamp in your passport and still be in perfectly valid status, as long as your I-20 end date has not passed and you remain enrolled full-time.

What Is Inside Form I-20: A Section-by-Section Breakdown

Section / Page	What It Contains	Why It Matters
SEVIS ID (top of Page 1)	Unique identifier beginning with 'N' followed by 10 digits	Used to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee and appears on your I-94 at entry
Biographical Information (Page 1)	Name (must match passport), date of birth, countries of birth and citizenship	Any mismatch with your passport can cause delays at the visa interview or port of entry
School Information (Page 1)	School name, address, SEVP school code, DSO name	Verify this matches your acceptance letter; school code is required for the SEVIS fee payment
Program Information (Page 1)	Degree level, major, program start date, program end date, report date	Your entry window (30 days before start), grace period trigger (after end date), and total authorised stay are all based on these dates
Financial Information (Page 1)	Estimated expenses for 1 academic year; sources of funding	Required at the visa interview; must show sufficient liquid funds to cover at least 1 year
Employment Authorisation (Page 2)	CPT and OPT authorisations when applicable	Only appears after your DSO adds this; M-1 students cannot use this section for OPT
Reduced Course Load (Page 2)	Any DSO-approved reduced enrolment	F-1 students normally must be full-time; reduced load requires advance DSO approval
Travel Endorsement (Page 2)	DSO travel signature, valid for 1 year	Required every time you re-enter the US; without a valid signature your re-entry can be refused
Student/DSO Signatures (Page 1)	Both student and DSO must sign	An unsigned I-20 is invalid; students under 18 need parental signature
Instructions (Page 3)	Terms you agree to when signing	Read this before signing; it outlines your legal obligations as an F-1 or M-1 student

A sample of the current I-20 can be downloaded from the SEVIS Help Hub on Study in the States.

How to Get Your I-20: Step by Step

Apply to and receive an admission offer from an SEVP-certified school: Only schools that are SEVP-certified may issue an I-20. You can verify that a school is certified using the DHS school search tool. SEVP-certified institutions include universities, colleges, community colleges, vocational schools, and language training programs.
Submit financial documentation to your DSO: You must demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses for at least one full academic year. The DSO uses this to complete the financial section of your I-20. Insufficient documentation is the most common reason for delays in I-20 issuance.
The DSO creates your SEVIS record and issues the I-20: As of November 2021 SEVP policy guidance, DSOs are permitted to electronically sign and transmit the I-20. You may receive a PDF version, which is fully valid for visa purposes.
Sign the I-20: Both you and your DSO must sign the document before it is valid. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must also sign. Your signature confirms you have read and agree to maintain your student status.
Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee: You need your SEVIS ID number from the I-20 to complete this payment. The fee is $350 for F-1 and M-1 students. Pay well before your visa interview because DHS needs at least 3 business days to post the payment to your SEVIS record. Save the payment confirmation; you will need it at the visa interview.
Complete Form DS-160 and schedule your visa interview: Bring the original signed I-20 to your visa interview. Since February 2023, consular officers can issue your visa up to 365 days before your program start date. This replaced the previous 120-day window and gives students more flexibility in scheduling interviews early.

Financial Requirements: What You Actually Need to Show

The financial section of your I-20 is one of the most important parts of the document. It summarises what you told your school about how you will fund your studies. Here is what you need to prepare:

Document Type	What It Must Show	Notes
Bank statements	Account holder name, account number, account type, balance, and date of issuance	Must be from the last 6 months; showing 1 year of estimated costs is the minimum
Education loan sanction letter	Lender name, loan amount, student name, sanction date	Accepted by most schools and consulates; must be final (not provisional) sanction
Scholarship letter	Award amount, duration, and issuing institution	Scholarships reduce the bank balance you need to show
Affidavit of support (sponsor)	Sponsor's identity, relationship to student, and commitment to fund studies	Must be notarised in many cases; if a business sponsors the student, a director's letter with financial statements is required
Income proof of sponsor	Pay slips (last 3-6 months), salary certificate, or income tax returns (last 3 years)	Shows the sponsor has ongoing capacity, not just a one-time lump sum
Fixed deposits and liquid assets	Certificates or account statements for FDs, shares, etc.	Consulates want to see that funds can be quickly accessed; locked-in funds may not count
Proof of ties to home country	Property documents, employment confirmation letter, family affidavit	Demonstrates intent to return after studies; reduces immigrant intent suspicion

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Practical tip: Most consulates require proof of funds for at least 2 semesters (1 academic year). Some may ask for 3 semesters (1.5x the estimated annual cost on your I-20). Show more than the minimum if possible to create a comfortable buffer.

For a detailed breakdown of how much bank balance is typically needed, see Zolve's guide: F1 Student Visa: How Much Should Be in the Bank.

The I-901 SEVIS Fee: Current Amounts and Payment Guide

Visa Category	I-901 SEVIS Fee (2026)	Notes
F-1 Academic Student	$350	Same as M-1; effective since June 24, 2019
M-1 Vocational Student	$350	Same as F-1
J-1 Exchange Visitor (most categories)	$220	Increased from $180 in 2019
J-1 (au pair, camp counsellor, summer work/travel)	$35	Lower-fee category
F-2, M-2, J-2 Dependents	$0	Dependents do NOT pay the SEVIS fee

How to Pay the SEVIS Fee?

Go to FMJFee.com (the only official DHS payment portal)
Enter your SEVIS ID exactly as it appears on your I-20 (begins with 'N', followed by 10 digits)
Enter your school code from the I-20
Pay by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express), or by check/money order if you are from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or The Gambia
Print or save the payment confirmation. Do not lose this. You must present it at your visa interview.
Submit payment at least 3 business days before your visa interview to allow DHS processing time

When You Do NOT Need to Pay the SEVIS Fee Again?

You are transferring between SEVP-certified schools while maintaining F-1 or M-1 status (SEVIS record transfers; no new payment needed)
You are applying for a visa renewal within 12 months of your original I-901 payment date
You are a visa-exempt Canadian student re-entering the US within 12 months of your original fee payment

Everything the I-20 Is Used For: A Complete List

Use of I-20	Details	Important Nuance
Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee	You need the SEVIS ID and school code from the I-20 before you can pay	Pay before your visa interview, not on the day of
Apply for an F-1 or M-1 student visa	Bring original signed I-20 to your visa interview	Your visa type must match your I-20 class of admission
Enter the United States	Present at the port of entry to CBP officers	You may enter up to 30 days before the program start date on your I-20
Maintain legal status in the US	Your I-20 program end date defines when your authorised D/S period ends	Keep it current; get an extension before the end date if needed
Apply for a Social Security Number (if eligible)	SSA accepts the I-20 as proof of student status	F-1 students may be eligible if they have qualifying on-campus employment or OPT
Apply for a driver's licence	Most US states accept the I-20 as a status document for licence applications	Requirements vary by state; check your state's DMV website
Open a US bank account	Banks and fintech platforms use the I-20 to verify your student status	Zolve accepts the I-20 for account opening without requiring an SSN
Apply for OPT or CPT work authorisation	DSO adds employment authorisation to the I-20	OPT requires USCIS filing; CPT is DSO-authorised directly on the I-20
Re-enter the US after international travel	Travel endorsement section must have a valid DSO signature (max 1 year old)	Get your travel signature before each trip; CBP will check it at the port of entry
Sponsor dependent visas (F-2/M-2)	Each dependent requires their own individual I-20	Dependents do not pay the SEVIS fee but each needs a separate I-20 from your school
Apply for Special Student Relief (SSR)	If DHS declares SSR for a country facing emergency, the I-20 is central to the benefit application	SSR can modify work authorisation and course load requirements

When Your I-20 Must Be Updated or Replaced

Your I-20 is a living document that changes throughout your time in the US. The DSO must issue an updated I-20 whenever a significant change occurs. Here are the key triggers:

Trigger	Action Required	Who Initiates
Program end date is approaching and you are not finished	Request a program extension from your DSO before the current end date	Student must contact DSO proactively; late requests can mean you fall out of status
You are changing your major or degree level	DSO updates SEVIS record and issues a new I-20	Student informs DSO; under the proposed D/S rule, this may be restricted in year 1
Transferring to a different SEVP-certified school	SEVIS record is transferred; new school issues a new I-20	Initiated by student contacting both schools; transfer-out deadline must be met
Planning international travel	DSO adds a travel endorsement signature to Page 2	Valid for 1 year; get it endorsed before each international trip
Applying for CPT or OPT	DSO authorises CPT directly on the I-20; OPT is separate but requires a DSO-endorsed I-20	CPT: DSO approves; OPT: student files Form I-765 with USCIS
Your personal information changes (e.g. name change)	DSO updates SEVIS and issues a corrected I-20	Bring supporting legal documents to the DSO
I-20 is lost, stolen, or damaged	Contact your DSO immediately for a replacement	A DSO can reprint; the SEVIS record is unchanged
Taking an authorised leave of absence longer than 5 months	A new I-20 is required upon return; a new SEVIS fee may be required	DSO marks record as authorised early withdrawal

Critical 2026 Policy Changes Every F-1 Student Must Know

IMPORTANT: As of June 24, 2026, the final rule ending Duration of Status has cleared White House review. Publication in the Federal Register and a 30-60 day implementation period could bring it into effect by late summer or fall 2026. The current D/S framework remains in place until then. Monitor your DSO and school's international office for updates.

Change 1: End of Duration of Status (D/S) for F-1 and J-1 Students

For over 30 years, F-1 and J-1 students have been admitted for 'duration of status', meaning their I-94 shows 'D/S' rather than a fixed date. This means they could remain in the US for the entire length of their academic program without an expiry date on their entry document, as long as they remained enrolled and made academic progress.

DHS published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on August 28, 2025 to end D/S. The final rule was submitted to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on May 5, 2026, and OMB cleared the rule on June 17, 2026. The public text of the final rule has not yet been released, but publication in the Federal Register is expected imminently.

Key proposed changes under this rule:

What Changes	Under Current Rules	Under Proposed New Rule
Your authorised stay in the US	Open-ended (D/S) for the length of your program	Fixed end date on I-94, tied to I-20 program end date, capped at 4 years
Programs longer than 4 years	Covered under D/S without additional filing	Must file Form I-539 with USCIS ($420 online fee) for an Extension of Stay
Post-completion grace period	60 days for F-1 students	Proposed reduction to 30 days
Changing major or school in Year 1	Generally permitted with DSO approval	Undergraduate students would be barred from transfers or major changes in Year 1
Moving to same or lower degree level	Permitted (e.g. second bachelor's degree)	Would be prohibited; students must progress to a higher degree level
English language program duration	No cap	Capped at 24 months total
Unlawful presence accrual	Only starts after formal USCIS finding	Would begin automatically once I-94 end date passes

Since 2025, the US State Department requires social media screening for all F, M, and J visa applicants. At the consulate interview, officers may ask about your social media accounts. Be prepared to provide your usernames. Accounts should not contain content that could be interpreted as support for terrorism, extremism, or violent activity.

Change 3: Most Students Must Attend In-Person Visa Interviews

Interview waivers, which were widely available during and after the COVID pandemic, have been significantly reduced. As of 2025-2026, most first-time F-1 applicants must attend an in-person interview at a US Embassy or Consulate. Appointment wait times vary by country. In India, appointments at some consulates have historically had multi-month waits. Apply for your appointment as early as possible after receiving your I-20.

Change 4: Proposed SEVP Email Box Decommissioned May 2026

SEVP decommissioned a dedicated email contact channel for certain enquiries on May 22, 2026. All stakeholder communication now routes through the SEVP Response Center at 703-603-3400 (7am to 5pm ET, Monday to Friday) or the new SEVIS Help Hub.

Eligibility Criteria for Receiving an I-20

To receive an I-20, you must satisfy three categories of requirements:

1. Admission to an SEVP-Certified Institution

The school must be SEVP-certified at the time of your enrolment. Verify this at the DHS school search tool before paying any deposits.

Note: SEVP certification and accreditation are separate. A school can be SEVP-certified without being regionally accredited, and vice versa. Check both before applying.

2. Academic Eligibility

High school and secondary school transcripts or mark sheets (Class X and XII for Indian students)
Bachelor's degree transcripts (for graduate applicants)
Two academic reference letters from recent professors (typically required for postgraduate applicants)
English proficiency: TOEFL score typically above 70-80 (varies by programme) or IELTS above 6.0 (varies by university); some schools waive this for students from English-medium education systems
Standardised test scores: GRE, GMAT, SAT, or ACT as required by the specific programme

3. Financial Eligibility

Proof that you can fund tuition, fees, and living expenses for at least 1 academic year
The estimated cost breakdown appears in the financial section of your I-20 and must be matched with documentation
Liquid funds are preferred; fixed or locked assets may not fully count

NEW Entry Rules and What Happens at the Port of Entry

Rule	Detail
Earliest entry date	30 days before the program start date on your I-20
Documents to carry into the US	Original signed I-20, valid passport, valid F-1 visa stamp, DS-2019 (J-1), SEVIS fee receipt
Do not pack your I-20	CBP will ask for it at the border; it must be in your carry-on or personal bag
I-94 record	CBP creates your I-94 record electronically; it should show 'D/S' (or a fixed date if the new rule takes effect)
Continuing students	Can enter at any time before classes start if they are already enrolled and in SEVIS
What if you arrive without paying SEVIS fee?	CBP may issue Form I-515A giving you 30 days to pay; failure to pay can result in SEVIS termination

Common Mistakes Students Make With the I-20

Paying the SEVIS fee before receiving the I-20: You need the SEVIS ID from the I-20 to pay. Paying with an incorrect SEVIS number creates administrative headaches that can take weeks to fix.
Entering the US more than 30 days before the program start date: CBP may refuse entry. The 30-day window is strict.
Travelling abroad without a valid travel signature: A travel signature on your I-20 is valid for only 1 year from the date it was signed. Check the date before booking international travel.
Assuming your visa stamp duration equals your authorised stay: A 5-year F-1 visa allows you to re-enter the US over 5 years, but each entry is governed by your I-20 end date, not the visa expiry.
Not requesting a program extension before the I-20 end date: If you fall out of status because your end date passed without an extension, you must file for reinstatement, which is a time-consuming and uncertain process.
Losing the I-20: Contact your DSO immediately. They can reprint it. The SEVIS record does not change, but you need a physical copy with valid signatures.
Not transferring SEVIS when changing schools: If you accept admission at a new school without initiating a SEVIS record transfer, your record at the old school can be terminated, jeopardising your status.
Mismatched name on I-20 vs passport: Your name on the I-20 must exactly match the machine-readable zone of your passport. Errors should be corrected by your DSO before the visa interview.

Bringing Dependents to the US on F-2 or M-2 Visas

F-1 and M-1 students may bring their spouse and unmarried children under 21 to the US on F-2 and M-2 dependent visas. Here are the key rules:

Rule	F-2 Dependents	M-2 Dependents
Who qualifies	Spouse and unmarried children under 21	Spouse and unmarried children under 21
SEVIS fee	Not required	Not required
Individual I-20 needed	Yes, each dependent needs their own I-20 from your school	Yes, each dependent needs their own I-20
Study permissions	F-2 holders may attend school K-12; may take classes for recreational or avocational purposes; cannot pursue a full course of study	M-2 holders may attend K-12 only
Work authorisation	F-2 holders are not authorised to work	M-2 holders are not authorised to work
Financial proof	Primary F-1 student must show funds for dependent living expenses on top of their own	Same
Visa application document	Copy of primary student's F-1 visa and proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate)	Same

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current SEVIS I-901 fee in 2026?

$350 for F-1 and M-1 students. This has been the fee since June 24, 2019. The original Zolve blog listed it as $200, which was incorrect as of its last update.

How far in advance can my student visa be issued?

Since February 21, 2023, consular officers can issue F-1 and M-1 student visas up to 365 days before your program start date. Previously this was 120 days.

How early can I enter the US on an F-1 visa?

No earlier than 30 days before the program start date listed on your I-20. This rule has not changed.

What is the Duration of Status (D/S) rule change?

DHS has proposed ending D/S for F-1, J-1, and I visa holders. The final rule cleared White House review on June 17, 2026 and may take effect by late 2026 or early 2027. Under the proposed rule, your I-94 would show a specific end date (not 'D/S'), capped at 4 years. Students needing more time would have to file Form I-539 with USCIS. The grace period would be cut from 60 to 30 days. The rule is not yet in effect.

Does my I-20 end date equal my visa expiry date?

No. These are two completely separate things. Your F-1 visa stamp is your entry document and may have a 5-year or 10-year validity. Your I-20 end date is when your specific programme of study is authorised to end. Your authorised stay in the US (under D/S) is tied to the I-20 end date, not the visa stamp.

What happens if my I-20 end date passes and I am still studying?

You immediately fall out of status. You must either apply for reinstatement through USCIS or depart the US. Falling out of status can affect your eligibility for OPT and future visa applications. Always request a programme extension from your DSO before the end date on your I-20.

Can I change schools after getting my I-20?

Yes, but you must initiate a SEVIS record transfer between schools. The transfer must happen within 60 days of your programme end date at the original school. The new school will issue a new I-20. Under the proposed D/S rule change, undergraduate students would be barred from school transfers in the first academic year of their programme.

My I-20 was issued by School A, but I now want to attend School B. Do I need to pay the SEVIS fee again?

If you are transferring your existing SEVIS record to School B, no, you do not pay the SEVIS fee again. The SEVIS fee is tied to your SEVIS ID, which can transfer between schools. If you get a brand new SEVIS record (e.g. after a gap of more than 5 months), you will need to pay again.

Can I open a US bank account with just my I-20?

Yes. Some banks and fintech platforms, including Zolve, accept the I-20 (along with your passport and valid visa) as an identity document to open a US bank account without requiring an SSN. See: Opening a US Bank Account as an International Student.

What is the F-2 or M-2 visa for my spouse, and do they need their own I-20?

Yes. Each dependent accompanying an F-1 or M-1 student needs their own individual I-20 issued by the student's school. The dependent does not pay the SEVIS fee but must apply for an F-2 or M-2 visa. F-2 dependents may attend school for recreational or avocational purposes and may attend K-12 full-time. They cannot pursue a full-time degree program or work.

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