Reference : Wikipedia
Department of Homeland Security
Designated School Official and FORM I -20
issue Forms I-20 for the length of time that the student will take to complete the program; this should match the length of the program on the school’s Form I-17.
The program end date must be based on the amount of time it typically takes to complete the accepted student’s program of study. DSO’s can change the program end date, if needed, at any time until that date passes.
If a person’s primary purpose in the United States is not to engage in learning or a course of study, or the person has a dependent status derived from their parents that allows full-time study, then F-1 or M-1 status is inappropriate or unnecessary. In these cases, the person should consider or continue with another visa classification.
In addition, SEVP certification begins at the kindergarten grade level for private schools. Therefore, a DSO may not issue a Form I-20 for pre-kindergarten or any grade level below kindergarten for any school, even if the school is SEVP certified.
The Form I-20 is an important document that international students need to keep safe from the time they receive it through the duration of their time in the United States, because it is required to perform many of the actions students need to take throughout the international student process
- Pay the SEVIS Fee.
- Apply for a non immigrant visa.
The Form I-20 lists a student’s program start date. F-1 and M-1 student visas can be issued up to 120 days in advance of the student’s course of study start date. Students are expected to have the original Form I-20 at their visa interview. The consular officer may accept a copy of the Form I-20 in limited circumstances that warrant visa issuance prior to the student receiving the original Form I-20.
Students are expected to present the original Form I-20 with ink signature at the U.S. port of entry when they arrive in the United States. Students may arrive up to 30 days before the start date listed on their Form I-20
International students must have a Form I-20 when applying for benefits, such as employment or training authorization, a driver’s license or a social security number.
Students need a Form I-20 if they are already in the United States as another type of nonimmigrant and apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to change their status to F or M.
