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You've submitted the financial documents required by your prospective university. You've received your Form I-20 for your student visa application.
But now you might be overwhelmed with the question: what are the next steps after receiving the Form I-20?
Well, we’re here to answer that exact question for you. Form I-20, which is issued by a designated official from your prospective university, allows you to apply for your student visa. You can watch our ultimate guide to Form I-20 right here.
In this article, we lay out a simple three-step process to follow after receiving your Form I-20.
Next Steps After Receiving Form I-20
Step 1: Review and Sign the Form I-20
Your Form I-20 will be delivered electronically or by mail. The first thing to do after receiving the form is to review it.
Pay close attention to the spelling of your first and last name and the biographical information on the first page. Make sure that your information appears correctly, as it appears on your passport.
You also want to review page three, which contains instructions for the student responsible for signing Form I-20.
Once you've read and understood everything on the I-20, you can sign in the student attestation section at the bottom of Page 1. The attestation section is the only part of the I-20 where you write anything.
Your signature should be in black ink, and the date you write should be when you sign the form. If you’re under 18 years old, your parent or guardian will also need to sign and date the form in black ink.
Step 2: Book your visa interview
The second step is to book an appointment for your F-1 visa interview. Visit the US Department of State website and find the nearest US embassy or consulate accepting F-1 visa interview appointments.
The US Department of State website may not display any US embassies or consulates that accept F-1 visa interview appointments in some cases. In such instances, you can book an emergency visa interview appointment directly through the embassy or consulate in your home country.
Step 3: Pay the SEVIS fee
Once you've secured your visa interview appointment, you can pay the SEVIS or I-901 fee. You should have proof of payment for your SEVIS fee before you attend the F-1 visa interview.
The SEVIS fee for prospective F-1 students is $350, but that price can change anytime. You can pay the SEVIS fee using three options – online payment, Western Union Quick Pay, or in US dollars using a personal check from a US Bank or money order.
Most students opt for online payment, as it’s easier to navigate.
How to Pay the SEVIS Fee Online
Step 1: Select the “pay I-901 fee” option on this US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement webpage.
Pay close attention to the payment instructions shown on the next page. You must have a complete and accurate Form I-20 or DS-2019, which are given to prospective F-1 or J-1 visa students, respectively. If you receive either form with incorrect information, contact your designated school official or program sponsor with the correct details.
Dependents coming to the US on an F-2, M-2, or J-2 visa don’t have to pay the SEVIS fee. Only prospective immigrants coming to the US on an F-1, M-1, or J-1 visa must pay this fee.
Step 2: Populate the applicant validation section with the relevant information as it appears on your Form I-20 or DS-2019.
On the first entry, you’ll want to input your SEVIS ID, which you can find at the top-left corner of Form I-20 or DF-2019. Then, you can enter your last and first names as they appear on your Form I-20 or DF-2019. Finally, input your date of birth.
Step 3: Click “submit.”
You will be directed to a webpage that accepts your online credit card payment. The SEVIS fee for F-1 or M-1 prospective students is $350, whereas it is $220 for prospective J-1 visa students.
Step 4: Save the payment confirmation.
Once the payment for your SEVIS fee is accepted, the website will generate a payment confirmation page. Print the confirmation page and present it as proof of your SEVIS fee payment before attending your F-1 visa interview.
Click on “check I-901 status” to check your payment status or obtain a payment receipt in the future. You can enter the required information on the web page and select “check status/ view payment confirmation.”
F or M visa students who are citizens of Cameroon, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, or Gambia cannot pay the SEVIS fee online. You have to make the payment using alternative options.
Other Payment Options for the SEVIS Fee
You're not allowed to make cash payments for your SEVIS fee. You can use Western Union Quick Pay or mail your payment through a money order or personal check.
You can check out the US Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s detailed Western Union Quick Pay guide here.
If you pay your SEVIS fee by mail, ensure enough time for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program to receive and process your payment. This way, your payment confirmation will be available for your US visa interview appointment.
Now that you’ve completed these steps after receiving your Form I-20, you can prepare for your F-1 visa interview in peace.
DISCLAIMER: This blog post is designed for general information only and is NOT legal advice. The information presented in this article and anywhere else on this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice. If you need legal advice, you may contact a licensed attorney.
