Applying for your I-20

Application Process For I-20 

 

What is an I-20?

An I-20 is a form issued by a Designated School Official (DSO) for students to obtain F-1 Student status in order to study in the United States at an eligible SEVP-certified school. 

You will need an I-20 to:

  •      Apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. 
  •      Enter the U.S. for the first time in F-1 status and to return to the U.S. from all trips abroad during your program.
  •      Show as evidence of your F-1 or J-1 status after arrival in the U.S.   
  •      Apply for a change of status from another nonimmigrant status.

 

How Do I Qualify for an I-20{expander}

ELIGIBILITY

 

To qualify for an I-20 you must:

  1. Be admitted to a full-time program of study (and maintain full-time enrollment every term/semester)
     
  2. Document the financial resources to cover tuition, fees and living expenses of the first academic year and have a plan to finance any additional time. Refer to our Tuition and Financial Aid by Admissions.

 

Before You Apply{expander}

Do any of these situations apply to you?

 

 

  • Current Sarah Lawrence Students Beginning a New Academic Program
    • If you are a current student at Sarah Lawrence-- or on Post-Completion OPT after completing a program at Sarah Lawrence -- you should not apply through this page. Follow the instructions on our beginning a new program page.

 

  • Former Students Returning After a Temporary Absence from Sarah Lawrence
    • If you are a former student returning after a temporary leave from Sarah Lawrence, you should not apply through this page.
    • Follow the instructions on our leave of absence page.

 

  • Studying English at another school in the U.S.
    1.   Get your I-20 from your English as a Second Language (ESL) school.
    2.   Apply for your F-1 visa and enter the U.S. with your ESL school’s I-20.
    3.   After your ESL program is complete, follow the F-1 transfer instructions to transfer your SEVIS record to the ISS.

 

  • Bringing a Spouse / Child
    • Your spouse (and children under 21 years of age) will need a dependent I-20 to apply for an F-2 or J-2 visa. You will need to provide proof of additional funding beyond your personal expenses. Your dependents’ information will be part of your application and their documents will be processed and sent to you at the same time.

 

  • Planning to Get Married
    • If you are not yet married at the time of your application but will be married before you come, you may include your future spouse in the application. However, you must be legally married at the time your spouse applies for an F-2 visa.

 

  • Bringing a Partner
    • If you are in a relationship but not legally married, your partner is not eligible for a dependent visa, but may apply for a B-2 visitor visa to accompany you under a provision for Cohabitating Partners described in the Foreign Affairs Manual for visa officers. Look for 9 FAM 402.2-4(B)(5).

 

Application Process{expander}

How to Apply for your I-20

 

1. Prepare your documents

Supporting Documents Checklist

     

1.

The identification page of your passport

  

2.

Funding Documents (Refer to Tuition and Financial Aid for your program)

  

3.

If you are receiving funds from an individual sponsor (Example: Parent, Sibling, Friend, etc.), an Affidavit of Support form must be completed.

  

4.

Passport identification page of each dependent, if applicable

  

5.

If you're currently in the U.S., a copy of your I-94 arrival record

  

 

2. Log in to Terra Dotta to Apply for your I-20

There are two ways to log in to the ISS Portal: 

  • Pay your Sarah Lawrence Enrollment Deposit 
  • Apply with an Invitation by the Office of International Student Services once your enrollment deposit is paid  
    • An Email will be sent to your Sarah Lawrence email address.
  • Once you are in your ISS Student Portal you will see 5 section tabs to review
    • #1 tab: Welcome - In this section you will find helpful links and what to do next. 
    • #2 tab: Location Information - This will ask you if you are transferring your SEVIS record. At the bottom of the section you can click Yes or No. 
    • #3 tab: Personal & Program - Here you will begin your I-20 Application. Submit the required documents and fill out the appropriate information requested.
    • #4 tab: Financial Details - This section is where you will submit your financial documents. The costs will be shown on what Sarah Lawrence requires for the Form I-20. 
    • #5 tab: Submit - Once you have submitted all the required documents and filled out the appropriate information then click the "Complete" button and a Designated school Official will review your application. 
  • Processing time for I-20 Applications can be 1-3 weeks during summer times and 5-7 business days during winter.

 

3. Receive your I-20

  • Once your I-20 has been processed then you will receive an email to Log into Terra Dotta. 
  • Your I-20 will be located in your ISS Portal - Control Center tab in the "Documents" section. 
  • You will need to print and sign your I-20, which you will use for a visa appointment (if required) and for traveling to the U.S.

 

    What's Next?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Return to New Students Page 

  Return to International Student Services Home Page