Understanding Your I-20

The I-20 is a multi-purpose document issued by a U.S. government-approved educational institution

certifying that a student has been admitted to a full-time study program and has demonstrated
sufficient financial resources to stay in the United States. The I-20 is officially titled the “Certificate of
Eligibility” because it allows an individual to apply for an F-1 student visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate
abroad.

New Form I-20

Effective June 26, 2015, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security(link is external) introduced an
updated version of the Form I-20. If you still have old versions of the I-20, be sure to keep them for your
records, but use the newest version for travel or other purposes.

Do all students need I-20s?

No. If a student is maintaining a status in the United States other than F-1, an I-20 is not needed.
Dependent children in E, H, I, J, L, M, N, 0, P, R, or S status must change status after their 21st birthday.
Students who are at UC Berkeley in a dependent child status and approaching their 21st birthday should
see an International Student Adviser at Berkeley International Office for information about changing
their nonimmigrant status to F-1.

How is an I-20 is created?

After a school completes the admissions process, it collects necessary financial support and
identification documentation for admitted international students requesting F-1 status. Those student
names and biographic information are entered into a U.S. government database called SEVIS (Student
and Exchange Visitor Information System). SEVIS processes the information and produces an I-20. The
school official (called the Designated School Official or DSO) prints and signs the I-20 and then delivers it
to the student. If a student needs to update or change information on their I-20, the DSO makes these
requests through SEVIS to produce a new document.

How is the I-20 is used?

Outside the U.S.: After receiving an I-20 from a school, an international student must make an
appointment to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate (the visa is needed to be allowed
entry into the United States in F-1 status). Students must present both the F-1 visa and the I-20 to a U.S.
Customs and Border Protection officer upon arrival at the U.S. port-of-entry.
Inside the U.S.: Once a student has arrived in the United States and passes through the border
inspections process (either at an airport, seaport, or land border), the I-20 is used as identification and
proof of legal and academic status. Typically, students must show their I-20 at the Social Security Office
and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The I-20 is also shown to employers in the hiring process
for employment. Off-campus employment information and/or authorization will be printed on page 2 of
the I-20.

Do I need the I-20 for travel?

When traveling abroad, students must take their I-20 with them. The I-20 is required to reapply for a
visa (if needed) and for re-entering the United States. Before departure from the United States, students
should verify that they have a valid travel endorsement on page 2 of their I-20 from an adviser at
Berkeley International Office. This signature is valid for one year for multiple visits outside the United
States. In most cases, a travel endorsement can be done quickly and easily at Berkeley International
Office, however students should plan ahead and get their travel endorsement several weeks before
departing the United States to avoid the holiday rush.

Why do I have multiple I-20s?

New I-20s are issued to continuing students whenever there is a significant update to a student's record.
This includes changes in biographical data, program dates, change of major, the addition of a work
authorization, etc. These types of changes are typically prompted by student request, but Berkeley
International Office will automatically produce a new I-20 when a student declares or changes their
major. It is not necessary for students to request this new I-20. BIO will email the student to come pick
up their new Change of Major I-20 when it is ready.

What is the I-20 completion date?

The "completion date" is entered on item #5 of the I-20 based on a student's particular major and
degree level. This is an estimate of time the University feels it may take to fulfill all degree requirements.
However, if a student is not able to finish the program on that date, an extension must be requested
from Berkeley International Office at least one month before the completion date expires.

According to U.S. immigration regulations, the "completion date" is defined as the day final degree
requirements are completed. The actual completion date may not necessarily be the day of the
graduation ceremony or the date on the I-20. (In fact, many students actually finish degree
requirements before the completion date on the I-20).

Undergraduate Students:
The completion date is considered to be the last day of final exams of the semester degree
requirements are fulfilled.

Graduate Students:
The completion date is the day on which all degree requirements are fulfilled, such as filing the thesis or
dissertation in the Graduate Division. If there is no research component to the degree program (such as
in the MBA program or other professional schools), the completion date would be the last day of final
exams of the semester degree requirements are fulfilled.
The 60-day Grace Period
When students complete a study program, they are allowed a 60-day grace period to either 1) depart
the United States, 2) request a school transfer, or 3) change visa status.

Note: Students who are interested in working in the United States following their program completion
must apply for Optional Practical Training work authorization before the expiration of the 60-day grace
period.

What happens if I lose my I-20?

If you are a UC Berkeley F-1 student, please contact our office for a replacement I-20. Please note that if
you are outside the United States, you must obtain the replacement I-20 before entering the U.S. to
resume your studies. Allow sufficient time for processing and mail delivery.

Should I keep all copies of my I-20s?

Yes. You may obtain several different versions of your I-20s while you are in the United States if there
are changes to your program or other information. Keep all copies for future reference. Always use the
most recently issued I-20 for travel, work, or other purposes.

Do my family members need I-20s?

If you will be accompanied by your spouse and children, they will each need their own I-20 to obtain the
F-2 dependent visas and to remain in the United States during your program and for travel purposes.
See Inviting Family for more information.
 Redesigned Form I-20
SEVIS Fact Sheet
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program is releasing a redesigned Form I-20. This fact sheet
highlights key aspects of the form.

Key Dates
 Release date for revised Form I-20: June 26, 2015
 Deadline for conversion of forms for students: July 1, 2016
Schools must ensure that their students have the new version of the form by July 1, 2016. After
July 1, 2016, previous versions of the form cannot be used to support:
 Visa applications
 Entry into the United States
 Applications for social security numbers or drivers licenses

Note: Nonimmigrants applying for social security numbers or drivers licenses are
encouraged to use the redesigned Form I-20, starting June 29, 2015.

Key Form Revisions

 Improved design:
o Changes the branding to reflect the Department of Homeland Security and
Immigration and Customs Enforcement branding.
o Moves the instructions to page three of the form.
o Removes the barcode and the blocks for visa and port of entry information.
o Improves the display of information.
 Page one changes:
o Makes the SEVIS ID more visible on page one.
o Adds the new SEVIS name fields.
o Makes the class of admission information more visible.
o Displays the school and program of study information more clearly.
o Specifies the number of dependents.
o Describes other costs, funds from the school, and funds from other sources, if any.
o Pre-prints the student’s name in the Student Attestation section for both the
student and the dependent forms.
o Separates dependent from student information on the dependent’s form.
 Page two changes:
o Displays both the SEVIS ID and the student or dependent name.
o Displays employment authorization information more clearly.
o Expands the following sections of the form to display information, if needed:
 Change of Status/Cap Gap Extension
 Event History
 Other Authorizations

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 Redesigned Form I-20
SEVIS Fact Sheet
o Does NOT pre-print the DSO’s name on page two of the form.

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 Redesigned Form I-20
SEVIS Fact Sheet

U.S. Department of Justice Form I-20 Department of Homeland Security ICE Form I-20
Release Date: June 26, 2015
Conversion Deadline: July 1, 2016

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 Redesigned Form I-20
SEVIS Fact Sheet

F-1 Form Changes – Page One

Rebranding

SEVIS ID

SEVIS Name
fields added

Form Issue Reason

Class of Admission

Description of Other Costs, School Funding, and Funds

from Other Sources, if specified

Number of
Remarks: Space for comments
dependents

Student’s name
pre-prints on form

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 Redesigned Form I-20
SEVIS Fact Sheet

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 Redesigned Form I-20
SEVIS Fact Sheet
F-1 Form Changes – Page Two

SEVIS ID, (Class of Admission), and Name

Sections expand as needed to display information

DSO’s name does NOT pre-print on form

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 Redesigned Form I-20
SEVIS Fact Sheet

May 8, 2015 7
 Redesigned Form I-20
SEVIS Fact Sheet
F-1 Form Changes – Page Three

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 Redesigned Form I-20
SEVIS Fact Sheet

May 8, 2015 9
 Redesigned Form I-20
SEVIS Fact Sheet
M-1 Form Changes – Page One

Rebranding

SEVIS ID

SEVIS Name
fields added

Form Issue Reason

Class of Admission

Description of Other Costs, School Funding, and Funds

from Other Sources, if specified

Number of
Remarks: Space for comments
dependents

Student’s name
pre-prints on form

May 8, 2015 10
 Redesigned Form I-20
SEVIS Fact Sheet

May 8, 2015 11
 Redesigned Form I-20
SEVIS Fact Sheet
M-1 Form Changes – Page Two

SEVIS ID, (Class of Admission), and Name

Sections expand as needed to display information

DSO’s name does NOT pre-print on form

May 8, 2015 12
 Redesigned Form I-20
SEVIS Fact Sheet

May 8, 2015 13
 Redesigned Form I-20
SEVIS Fact Sheet
M-1 Form Changes – Page Three

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 Redesigned Form I-20
SEVIS Fact Sheet

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 Redesigned Form I-20
SEVIS Fact Sheet
F-2 and M-2 Form Changes – Page One

Rebranding

SEVIS ID

Clear separation of
Dependent Information
and Student
Information
Class of
Admission

Clear display of Student Information

Student’s name
pre-prints on form

May 8, 2015 16
 Redesigned Form I-20
SEVIS Fact Sheet
F-2 and M-2 Form Changes – Page Two

SEVIS ID, (Class of Admission), and Name

Remarks: Space for comments

Sections expand as needed to display information

DSO’s name does NOT pre-print on form

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 Redesigned Form I-20
SEVIS Fact Sheet

Additional Resources
 Redesigned Form I-20 FAQs
 SEVIS Name Standards User Guide

Icon Guide
This guide is a quick-reference for the icons that used in this SEVIS Fact Sheet:
Icon Definition

Pay attention to an important point

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