What is an i-20?
Learn about what an I-20 is and why it is important for students holding an F-1 visa.
Overview and Definition
All F1 students that are studying at the University of Utah will need a Form I-20 also known as, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status." Students will receive the Form I-20 from a Designated School Official. Students must have their Form I-20 with them at all times. If a student loses or there is damage to the I-20, they must request a replacement from ISSS through UAtlas. Students who need to pay their I-901 SEVIS Fee must navigate to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement I-901 Fee.
If there is any information on the I-20 that is updated/changed at any time, the student is required to obtain an updated version of the Form I-20.
Form I-20 (pages 1 & 2)
Students must first understand the different parts of the I-20
SEVIS ID
The SEVIS ID number is listed at the top of the form and will start with "N000xxxxxxx". This number is unique to every student.
Students will need to "Activate" their SEVIS record by:
2. Enter the United States
3. Report to ISSS by attending orientation & completing the Immigration Check-In process.
In general, students will typically have the same SEVIS ID throughout their entire studies; however, there are cases in which the number may change. For example, if the student's record is closed or terminated and will travel, they will be issued a new SEVIS ID (Form I-20).
Personal & Biographical Information
Students must ensure that the information listed in this section is accurate and correct.
Not all fields will be completed. In fact, some are intentionally left blank and will not impact the student's immigration status or ability to travel. It is important that the name listed in the I-20 matches the name listed on your passport. If you see an error and you are a new student, please reach out to the Office of International Admissions for assistance. Otherwise, students can reach out to ISSS for assistance.
The I-20 will list the type of I-20 under "Form Issue Reason". Please find below the explanations for each issue reason:
This is considered to be the first "initial" I-20 that the student will receive when being admitted to the University of Utah.
Students with this form are required to complete Orientation & Immigration Check-In
after arriving to the U.S.
If a student is transferring their SEVIS record from another U.S. institution, they will receive a "Transfer-Pending" I-20. It is similar to the initial attendance I-20 and will also need to complete Orientation & Immigration Check-In.
School Information
The information here will include the university name, reporting address, the name of the Designated School Official who issued or reprinted the I-20 and the university's SEVP School Code which is used to verify the institution.
There are several Designated School Officials (DSOs) at the University of Utah who support all international students at the University of Utah. Students do not need to contact the specific advisor who signed their I-20.
Program of Study & Program Start/ End Date Information
Program of Study:
In this section, it will include very important information which includes, the level of education (bachelor's, master's, doctorate, or other), major and corresponding CIP code, and the program start and end date.
If your major changes at any time, you must report this to ISSS so that we may provide you an updated I-20. Students can learn more by visiting the Changing Major or Program of Study page.
CIP Codes:
The six-digit code for your major is designated by the U.S. Department of Education. The Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) code may be different than your major at the University of Utah. CIP codes are categorized by major across the entire United States. If students believe there is an error, please consult with ISSS.
Program Start and End Date:
The program start and end dates reflect the anticipated start to your program (first day of classes) and the end date of your program (the last day of your final semester or term).
If the end date is getting close and you still need more time to complete your degree, students will need to request for an extension, BEFORE the I-20 end date. Student should refer to our I-20 Extension page.
Financial
This section includes information regarding the estimated cost of the student's program and the funding. When students are admitted to the University of Utah, they will provide "Proof of Funding" for one full year of tuition, health insurance, and living expenses.
Remarks
This section is optional field that may contain important information regarding the I-20. This section is filled out by the Designated School Official (DSO) if necessary.
School & Student Attestation
School Attestation:
This section is signed by the Designated School Official (DSO) who created or reprinted the I-20 as a way to validate the document. The signature itself is a confirmation that the student is maintaining their status and is attending the University of Utah.
Student Attestation:
Students are required to read and sign the "Student Attestation" to indicate their agreement to the terms outlined on page 3 of the I-20. Students must sign with wet-ink. Digital signatures will not be considered valid.
Employment Authorization / Employer Information
This section will show information, ONLY if the student has requested off-campus work authorization (CPT, Pre-OPT, Post-OPT, STEM Extension). It will not show information regarding on-Campus work authorization.
Travel Endorsement Signatures
This section will show the travel signature signed by the Designated School Official (DSO). The signature is valid for one year from the date signed. For students on Post-OPT or STEM-OPT, the travel signature is valid for six months.
Students in need of a travel signature should understand that they will not need a valid travel signature when exiting the country, but will need a valid signature before re-entering the country.
form i-20 (Page 3)
This page will show the terms and conditions that the student is agreeing to when signing the I-20. This page contains important information regarding the policies students must follow to maintain their status. It is highly recommended that students read and understand these before signing the I-20.
Frequently Asked Questions
Submit the I-20 Reprint/Travel Request e-form in UAtlas and indicate whether it was lost or damaged.
All requests to ISSS are processed within 7 to 10 business days.
There are no fees associated with requesting an I-20 reprint or update. However, please note if you are issued a new SEVIS ID for the purpose of regaining status you will need to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee again.
If you find an error on your Form I-20, please contact our office to have it corrected
Travel endorsement signatures are valid for one year. If you are on Post OPT, your signature is valid for 6 months. Please see our travel page for more information about obtaining a travel signature.