Step 2 –Receive Your I-20 and Pay US SEVIS (I-901) Fee
To study in the United States, you will need to obtain a Form I-20 from the school where you have been accepted and will be enrolling. Students on an F-1 Visa must remain enrolled as full-time students by maintaining the minimum course load requirement at the institution. An F-1 Visa student can remain in the U.S. for up to 60 days following the completion of their academic program. It should also be noted that an F-1 Visa student must complete their studies by the expiration date on their Form I-20.
A Form I-20 is used by the student to apply for a student visa, which permits entry to the United States. The I-20 will be sent to you by the Designated School Official (DSO) at the school you have been accepted to where you have made payment for enrollment.
Upon receipt of the Form I-20, double check it against your passport information and insure all information on the form, including the spelling and order of your name and date of birth (DOB) are correct. If the Form I-20 information does not match the information on your passport, contact the DSO who issued your Form I-20 to obtain a new, correct form.
Once a student receives their I-20, you must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee of US $200. The I-901 SEVIS Fee may be paid on-line utilizing the Form I-901 application. The form can be found at https://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Document/2015/i901.pdf.
Federal Regulations require all F-1 students pay the I-901 SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) Fee before the US Department of State will issue an F-1 Student Visa. The I-901 Form includes the school code and the student’s SEVIS number, both are found on the Form I-20.
You must present proof of payment for your I-901 SEVIS Fee at your visa interview in order to receive your F-1 Student visa.