Students who are not US citizens or lawful permanent residents require a visa that allows them to enter the US for the purpose of study. NYU is certified by the US government to issue the Form I-20, also called the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. This document confirms that you’ve been admitted to NYU and can apply for the F-1 student visa. You are eligible to apply for an I-20 after you have been admitted, paid the deposit, and submitted a complete I-20 application to OGS. The F-1 visa is the most common visa for international students at NYU.

Whenever you receive a new I-20 from NYU, there are a few important steps to take before using it to apply for your F-1 visa or travel to the US:

• Review your I-20 for accuracy. Check all the details carefully—your name, date of birth, program of study, and financial information should be correct. If you think something is incorrect, contact us immediately so we can make any necessary corrections.
• Print a paper copy of your I-20. Do not rely on digital versions on your electronic device when you’re traveling or applying for a visa.
• Remember, your I-20 is not a visa. The I-20 is a document issued by NYU that you’ll need to apply for your F-1 visa, which is issued by a US Consulate or Embassy. You’ll present your I-20, along with your visa stamp, to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers when entering the US in F-1 status. 

Note: If you are Canadian or Bermudian, you still need to apply for an I-20 but do not need an F-1 visa stamp to enter the US in F-1 status.

• Your I-20 is a snapshot of your SEVIS record. It reflects your status in the US government’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) at any given time. If your situation changes—such as a change in program or financial status—you may receive an updated I-20.
•  If you have F-2 dependents, such as a spouse or children, they will each receive their own I-20.

I-20 Sections Explained

Biographical Information

The biographical information on your I-20 contains important personal details. It’s crucial that this information matches your passport and other legal documents to avoid complications during visa application and entry into the US. Here are the key details to review:

• SEVIS ID: This is your unique identification number in the SEVIS database. It starts with an N and is followed by 10 digits.
• Surname/Primary Name, Given Name, Country of Citizenship, and Date of Birth should exactly match what is listed on the passport you will use to enter the US as an F-1 student.
• Preferred Name: This field automatically duplicates the information from your Surname/Primary Name and Given Name fields. It is not a required field in SEVIS and is not edited by OGS.
• Passport Name and Admission Number: These fields are not required on the I-20 and are usually left blank.
• Form Issue Reason:
  • For most newly admitted students, the form will state Initial.
  • F-1 transfer students will see Transfer Pending on their I-20.
  • Throughout your time at NYU, your I-20 may be reissued for different reasons such as Continued Attendance, Updated, or Travel depending on your circumstances.

When you receive your I-20 from OGS, ensure all biographical details are correct. Any discrepancies could cause delays or issues at the US border or during your visa application.

School Information

This section of your I-20 reflects the details of New York University and a Designated School Official (DSO), also known as an international student advisor, from the Office of Global Services (OGS). This section also details your campus of study and its corresponding school code.

• School Official to Contact Upon Arrival: Any NYU DSO can sign or issue your I-20—students are not assigned to a specific OGS advisor.
• School Name and SEVIS School Code: Your I-20 will include the SEVIS school code corresponding to your NYU campus. Be sure to check that this information matches the campus where you’ll be studying:
  • Washington Square campus (including Tisch School of the Arts and School of Professional Studies): NYC214F00169000
  • Tandon School of Engineering (Brooklyn campus) and CUSP: NYC214F00169003
  • NYU Washington, DC: NYC214F00169002
  • NYU Los Angeles: NYC214F00169004
  • NYU Long Island School of Medicine: NYC214F00169005
  • NYU Tulsa: NYC214F00169006

Review this section carefully to ensure it lists the correct campus and SEVIS code associated with your program of study.

Program of Study

This section of your I-20 outlines the details of your current education level and major, as well as key dates related to your program timeline.

• Education Level and Major: Your I-20 should accurately reflect your current program level (e.g., bachelor’s, master’s) and your major of study.
  • Note on your Major Code: The major listed on your I-20 may not exactly match the name used by NYU. This is because your program and the Registrar determine the best match for your major from the US Department of Education’s Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code registry.
  • If there is a change in your major or degree, be sure to review the Change Major or Degree page to see if you need to take any action for an updated I-20.
• Earliest Admission Date: This is the earliest date you can enter the US in F-1 status. This will be 30 days before your program start date. Make sure your travel plans align with this date.
• Program Start Date: The date listed here is the start of your program and the latest date you can enter the US for the first time in F-1 status. If you are unable to arrive by this date, you must Report Changes to Your US Arrival Plan.
• Program End Date: For newly issued I-20s, the end date is typically an estimate based on your program duration.
  • If you need more time to complete your program, you must apply to Extend Your Study before the end date listed on your I-20.
  • If your program ends earlier than expected, your I-20 will be updated to reflect the new end date. Be sure to check the NYU Academic Calendar for your specific semester end date.
  • After your program ends, you have a 60-day grace period to depart the US.

Financials

This section of your I-20 provides an overview of the financial information related to your studies at NYU.

• Estimated Average Cost: This is your Estimated Expenses for the first academic year of your program. The actual cost may vary depending on several factors, including the number of credits you take, your personal living expenses, and whether your program duration is shorter than a full year.
• Student Funding: This section confirms that you have demonstrated the minimum amount of funding required to cover your studies and living expenses.
  • Note: If you are using funds from a loan or a sponsor (such as a family member or friend), these will be listed under Personal Funds on your I-20.

School and Student Attestation

• School Attestation: The school section will be digitally signed by a Designated School Official (DSO) from NYU to certify the information provided.
• Student Attestation:
  • Before signing, make sure to carefully read the information on Page 3 of your I-20.
  • Once you’ve reviewed it, print your I-20 and provide a handwritten signature and date in this section to confirm that you understand and agree to the terms of admission and stay.
• Parent or Guardian Signature: If you are under the age of 18, a parent or guardian will need to sign as well. If you are 18 or older, no additional signature is required.

By signing, you’re affirming your commitment to comply with the requirements of your F-1 status.

Employment Authorizations, Employer Information, etc.

• If you are approved for work authorization such as Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training, this will be reflected in this section of your I-20.

Travel Endorsement

The travel endorsement section of your I-20 contains a signature from a Designated School Official (DSO) that allows you to reenter the US while maintaining your F-1 status. 

• Travel Signature: For most students, the travel signature is valid for 1 year after the date signed or until your program end date, whichever comes first. For students on Post-Completion OPT or STEM OPT, the travel signature is valid for 6 months or until your OPT end date, whichever comes first.
  • By signing this section, the DSO confirms that you are maintaining your F-1 status and are eligible to return to the US after international travel.
  • If you are an initial student receiving your first I-20, a DSO will sign your I-20 with a travel signature right away.
  • Transfer pending or students regaining F-1 status will receive a travel signature after submitting their arrival checklist and being registered in SEVIS. You will then be issued a Continued Attendance I-20 with a travel signature that can be used for reentry into the US.

Make sure your travel signature is up to date before making any international travel plans.