Immigration Documents

The I-20 is a legal document issued through SEVIS, confirming admission to a full-time, in-person academic program. The I-20 includes biographic information, funding and academic program details. The I-20 is necessary to apply for a F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad and to pay the SEVIS (I-901) fee. Upon receiving an I-20, be sure to print, sign and date on the bottom of page 1. 

The I-20 is only valid for the dates and program listed on the form, provided you are maintaining status. The I-20 should accurately reflect your major, degree level, program start and end dates (found on page 1), and your source of financial support. If any of the information found on the I-20 changes, request an updated I-20 by submitting the appropriate request in iHopkins.

If you plan to travel after your initial entry to the U.S., be sure to have a valid travel signature on page 2. Remember to present the I-20 at the port of entry each time you enter the U.S. in F-1 status. Keep all I-20s issued; they may be necessary for future immigration applications. 

Refer to the “Form Issuance Reason” on page 1 of the I-20 to confirm the I-20 type:  

• Initial Attendance: Issued to students starting at Johns Hopkins for the first time or for those traveling to change/re-activate F-1 status 
• Continued Attendance: Issued after initial arrival to reflect updates such as OPT/CPT, travel endorsement, etc
• Transfer Pending: Issued after a SEVIS transfer from another U.S. school
• Change of Education Level: Issued when moving from one degree program to another at JHU. Must be issued before the 60-day grace period ends. For more information visit Change of Level and Intercampus Transfer
• Change of Status: Issued when filing for a change of status to F-1, inside the U.S.

The F-1 visa is a stamp placed in your passport by a U.S. Consular Officer, allowing you to apply for entry to the U.S. as a F-1 student.  You may remain in the U.S. with an expired visa, as the expiration date does not determine how long you can stay. A visa can only be renewed outside the U.S.  

Canadian and Bermudian citizens are not required to obtain a U.S. visa stamp; however, they must enter the U.S. in the appropriate immigration status (F-1, e.g.) and carry all required documentation when entering through an airport or land border crossing. It is important to ensure that you are not admitted under tourist or visitor status. 

Automatic Revalidation allows certain nonimmigrants to re-enter the U.S. with an expired U.S. visa stamp in their valid passport after visiting Canada, Mexico or an adjacent island for fewer than 30 days.  

For additional information on visa stamps visit Applying for a U.S. Visa Stamp and Renewing a Visa Stamp.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issues an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record upon entry to the U.S., either at a port of entry or a pre-clearance location abroad. 

To access your I-94, visit the CBP I-94 website, and complete the online form using information from your passport. Ensure that the ‘Class of Admission’ is F-1 and ‘Admit until Date’ is D/S (for “duration of status”). Download, print and save a copy of your I-94 after each entry to the U.S.

F-1 regulations require that you carry a printed copy of your I-94 at all times. OIS will require your most recent I-94 (not travel history) for immigration benefits and for completing Check-in. If you’re unable to locate your I-94, try the following:

• Reverse your given name and surname
• Omit your middle/second name
• Combine your first and middle name
• If your passport contains the number ‘1,’ enter the letter ‘l’ instead; if it contains a ‘0’, enter letter ‘O’
• Reverse the day and month of your birthdate
• Use your SEVIS number (located at the top left of your I-20) instead of your passport number
• Use the visa foil number (printed in red on the visa stamp) instead of the passport number