Request Form I-20

Admitted students who wish to study with an F-1 visa status at Kennesaw State University must first obtain a Form I-20 from the International Student and Scholar Services Office. The I-20 is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security document that indicates the student’s eligibility to receive an F-1 visa and/or study in F-1 visa status. The student’s I-20 record, housed in the SEVIS system, contains certain biographical, educational, financial, and immigration information related to the student’s F-1 status. An I-20 is required to study on an F-1 status in the U.S.

Generally, there are three types of I-20s that can be requested upon admission. These depend on your current location and immigration status.

  • Students seeking an initial I-20 to attend KSU should submit:

    • Copy of passport identification page
    • Proof of funding, please see our Cost to Attend page for details   

    After admission, students will receive an email with instructions on how to submit their documents via the iStart online portal. Once the required documents are received and approved, an international student advisor will issue you an I-20 and provide you with mailing options. You must have the original I-20 when applying for your F-1 visa. More information about applying for your visa at the embassy can be found on our Visa Application Process page below.

    More Information

  • Students seeking to transfer their I-20 to KSU should submit:

    • Copy of passport identification page
    • Proof of funding, please see our Cost to Attend page for details
    • Copies of F-1 visa status documents: visa, current I-20, and I-94
    • Transfer verification information completed online by current school
      After admission, students will receive an email with instructions on how to submit their documents via the iStart online portal. You should also contact your current school's international student advisor to discuss a date to transfer your I-20 to KSU. Please note that regulations require students to begin their studies within five months of their last day of class at their previous institution, or their last day of OPT. Once the I-20 is transferred, an advisor will update your I-20 with your new KSU information and provide you with mailing or pickup options.

    If you are intending to travel abroad before beginning your program at KSU, you must factor your I-20 transfer date into your travel plans. Transfer students must re-enter the U.S. with the I-20 from the school currently holding their SEVIS record. Discuss your travel plans with your international student advisor to determine the best time to transfer your I-20, and please ensure that you have a travel signature on the second page of your I-20 BEFORE leaving the United States.

    Transfer students are required by F-1 regulations to report to their new school within 15 days of the program start date.

  • Students who are in the U.S. with a valid non-immigrant status may be eligible to apply to USCIS to change their current status to F-1 from within the U.S. Students interested in changing their status from within the U.S. should read the considerations below and meet with an ISSSO advisor to review the requirements and determine the best course of action for their situation.

    Consideration Apply for Visa at Embassy Apply for Change of Status in U.S.
    Visa Restrictions N/A

    Current B-1/B-2, C, or D visa holders may not begin studies until the F-1 status is approved.

    F-2 visa holders may only study part-time until the change of status is approved.

    K, M, Visa, and ESTA Waiver holders may not apply for a Change of Status in the U.S.

    H-1B and L-1: USCIS must receive your application prior to your last day of paid work.

    J-1: If you have a 212(e) residency restriction that has not been waived, you may not change status within the U.S.

    You must apply for the Change of Status before your current status expires on your I-20.
    Approval Wait Times Appointment dates can be scheduled on average within 30 days. Decisions are usually provided at appointment, unless the student is required to undergo further administrative processing.

    Approval is currently taking approximately 6-18 months.
    Cost Student incurs expense of international travel. Please check your local embassy for visa application fees. The fees are typically less than $200.

    Please check the USCIS website for the current I-539 application and biometrics fees.

    Premium processing is available to expedite processing time within 30 days.
    Location Requires in-person interview at a U.S. embassy outside the U.S. An embassy in the student's home country is preferred.

    Student must apply to USCIS from within the U.S.
    Visa Stamp Student receives F-1 visa stamp in passport to be used for entry into the U.S.

    Student receives status of an F-1 student and the corresponding benefits but does not receive the visa stamp. 
    Benefits  

    F-1 benefits do not become effective until your Change of Status is approved, and some benefits do not apply until 30 days before the start of the I-20 program.
    Travel Requires travel outside the U.S. to apply for visa. Once holding the visa, student may travel internationally provided the visa is valid and the student has not reached the permitted number of entries listed on the visa.

    Student must remain in the U.S. while the application is pending. Departing the U.S. could be considered abandonment of the visa application.

    Since no visa stamp is received upon approval, the student must apply for a visa at the embassy if they depart the U.S. and wish to re-enter.
    Semester of Enrollment Prior to the I-20 program start date and entry into the U.S., a student may request a deferral to a later semester, if needed.

    Student must attend KSU full-time at the first available semester after the change of status approval. This is true even if the change of status is approved to begin in the summer semester. Please note that full-time in the summer is very rigorous.
    Employment  

    If USCIS approves your application more than 30 days before the I-20 program start date, you must ensure you do not violate their F-1 status during that time. An example of a violation would be engaging in employment, including on-campus employment, more than 30 days before the program start date as listed on your Form I-20.
    Off-Campus Employment If applying for a visa in the middle of their studies, student should speak to an advisor about any impacts to CPT or OPT.

    Student should speak to an advisor about when they may qualify for CPT or OPT.
    In Case of Denial Student must reapply for the visa.

    Student must depart the U.S. or continue in their current status (if applicable.)

    Driver's License: There may be a gap in driver's license validity if there is a gap between statuses, when processing a Change of Status.

  • Step What To Do
    Step One

    Complete and Compile the Following:

    • Filing Fee in the form of a check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the appropriate amount. Check USCIS’s website for the current amount: https://www.uscis.gov/i-539. Include fees for any dependents filing with you as well, as appropriate.
    • Form G-1145 e-Notification of Application/Petition request: https://www.uscis.gov/g-1145. This form enables you to receive a text and email when USCIS receives your application.
    • Cover letter addressed to USCIS requesting the change of status. Explain why the change is needed and why you entered the U.S. with a different status. It is suggested that the letter explains that you did NOT have a preconceived intent to study in the U.S. and describes your plans to return home after your studies. Please remember that the F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa and is not for work purposes.
    • Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status: https://www.uscis.gov/i-539. If your dependents are filing with you, complete the I-539A Supplemental Information as well, as appropriate.
    • Original proof of financial support for the first year of studies. See the current costs on our website at https://www.kennesaw.edu/global-education/international-student-scholar-services/f-1/cost-to-attend.php. Financial documents should be in English or with a certified translation and should be in U.S. dollars or have a currency conversion attached.
    • Copy of valid passport and visa.
    • Copy of I-94 Arrival/Departure card showing your current status. In most cases you can obtain this from https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov.
    • If you are on a dependent status, a copy of documents to prove that the primary status holder is in legal status. Include marriage certificate, if applicable.
    • If you have dependents, a copy of their passports, visas, and I-94 card Arrival/Departure cards.
    Step Two

    Request and Receive I-20:

    • Request your Form I-20 with the Change of Status Requested notation from the International Student and Scholar Services Office. Please note that the I-20 request process requires you to submit copies of your current immigration documents to determine change of status eligibility.
    • Sign the I-20 in blue ink.
    • Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee. You may pay this fee online at www.FMJfee.com with a credit card or you may pay it at any Western Union Quick Pay Center. You will need your SEVIS ID # and the School SEVIS Code to make payment. Both are found on the I-20.
    • Include a copy of the signed I-20 and I-901 fee receipt with your change of status application documents.
    Step Three

    Submit the Application:
    Step Four

    Update the International Student and Scholar Services Office (ISSSO) When:

    • You receive notices from USCIS, including requests for evidence (RFEs).
    • Your application is still pending past the semester start date and you need to update your I-20.
    • Your application is approved or denied.


***Disclaimer: This is not legal advice. Students should seek out an attorney if they want legal advice.*** 

Receiving Your I-20

Once an I-20 has been issued, it will be sent electronically to the student. The I-20 will be available to download from iStart. Students will need to print a paper copy to carry for their visa interview and for travel to the US.