How to Obtain Your I-20 or DS-2019

F-1 Students and the I-20 

The I-20 is a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status for those who wish to study in the United States. The Form I-20 must be taken to the U.S. embassy or consulate when you apply for a visa.

You will be issued an I-20 after you have:

  • Been admitted to UM

        AND

It is extremely important that you submit all required documentation to the OIS for I-20 issuance. You will experience a delay in receiving your I-20 if all documents are not received in a timely manner.

IMPORTANT: Apply for admission by your selected program's due date to ensure that you will receive your I-20 in time to enroll. If all required information is not received, you will not be issued an I-20. If you are applying or reapplying, you must send updated financial documents that are no more than 6 months old.

J-1 Students and the DS-2019

The DS-2019 is a Certificate of Eligibility for J-1 Exchange Visitor Status under the sponsorship of authorized organizations participating in programs that promote cultural exchange under the the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961.

You will be issued a DS-2019 after you have:

  • Been admitted to UM

         AND

It is extremely important that you submit all required documentation to the OIS for DS-2019 issuance. You will experience a delay in receiving your DS-2019 if all documents are not received in a timely manner.

For Students Outside the U.S

We request that you do not schedule visa interviews prior to receiving confirmation from the OIS that an I-20 or DS-2019 has been issued and mailed to you.

For Students Inside the U.S.

  • If you are presently in the U.S. in another immigration status and wish to change to a student status, please consult our page on How to Change to Student Status.
  • If you are presently in the U.S. as a F-1 or J-1 student, please work with the international student advisor at your current institution to identify a date for your SEVIS record to be transferred to UM.  The OIS is not able to issue your I-20 or DS-2019 until this date has arrived. Please complete the appropriate transfer form, found here.