This is my first blog in my six (6) part US immigration journey series. In the blog post about my journey to the US, I shared my reasons for coming to America and how I did it. In this blog post, I will share details about the I-20 document, i.e., how I obtained it, its importance, eligibility criteria, the application process, required documents, visa application, maintaining legal status, etc.
After being admitted into college, I had to get an F-1 student visa, a visa status in which students studying in the US get to be allowed entry and legal stay in America. Before applying for the F-1 student visa, I had to get an I-20 document from my college. The I-20 contains the following:
- The name.
- Date of birth.
- Program start and end dates.
- Academic level.
- The cost of attending the university.
Only educational institutions provide I-20 documents; schools hand them after a student is accepted and shares proof of funds to pay for college. Getting an I-20 is a significant milestone for students intending to attend college in the US since it’s a prerequisite for an F-1 student visa.
To get an I-20, I was admitted to Franklin College of Indiana. During the application process, I submitted my application, SAT scores, transcripts, personal statement essays, etc. I got an offer, including a full scholarship to cover my tuition fees for four years on the condition I maintained a 3.0 GPA. Although I had a full tuition scholarship, I had to prove I could cover room and board and living expenses. I demonstrated the availability of funds using another scholarship to cover room and board and my parent’s bank statements to cover the living expenses.
Once I got the I-20 document, I paid the I-901 SEVIS fee (according to ICE, the I-901 SEVIS fee was mandated by Congress to support the program office and the automated system that keeps track of students and exchange visitors and ensures that they maintain their status while in the United States). The next step was to apply for the F-1 Visa from the US embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe, i.e., my home country. For the F-1 Visa interview, I carried my passport, admission offer letter, I-20, bank statements, transcripts, etc. Below is a recap of the process:
- Paid the I-901 SEVIS fee online and got a receipt. The SEVIS fee is currently $350 for F-1 students.
- Completed the DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application online and submitted it electronically.
- Scheduled the visa interview in Harare, Zimbabwe
- Brought the following documents to the visa interview :
- Valid passport with at least six (6) months beyond the intended stay in the United States.
- Cash for the visa application fee ($160 at the time)
- I-20 document from Franklin College
- I-901 SEVIS fee receipt
- Franklin College admission offer letter
- Scholarship letter to cover room and board
- Parents’ bank statements as evidence of financial support to cover living expenses
- SAT scores
My visa interview was straightforward. Based on anecdotal information, this is the case when applicants have documents in order. During the visa interview, I had to produce my I-20 document, answer some questions on why I wanted to go to the US, what I wanted to study, if I intended to return home after graduation, which college I would attend, and how I would pay for everything. As soon as the interview ended, my F-1 Visa was approved, but I had to return to pick up my passport a few days later. When I picked up my passport, I had a two-year visa and came to the US.
After getting to the US, one has to maintain their legal status as an F-1 student. A few rules to adhere to include :
- Having a full-time course load of classes usually means a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester for undergrad students, going for classes and adhering to several rules; for example, if working on-campus, a max 20hrs a week is allowed during the academic year and a max of 40 hrs i.e. full-time during school breaks.
- Keeping the Designated School Official (DSO) constantly updated on what’s going on about your F-1 Student visa, reporting travels, employment, grades, etc., and keeping your immigration status valid.
- Adhering to US rules and regulations in addition to school rules and regulations.
The DSO is your friend and source of truth for international students on F-1 visa status. Please comply with rules and regulations to avoid losing legal status, which may mean deportation. Pro-tip: update your I-20 by getting a new signature after each semester and before each trip outside the US to ensure that your document is always current. In the next blog, I will share how I obtained the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) work authorization for my internships.
