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International Student and Scholar Services

Form I-20

The Form I-20, issued by BYU, is a certificate of eligibility provided for you to apply for an F-1 student visa or to change your status.

It functions as a record of F-1 lawful status throughout your stay in the U.S. and must be valid at ALL times.

You should keep all of your original I-20s even after a new one has been issued to reflect updated information or transfer of schools. This is recommended for future government applications where proof of enrollment is needed and/or other work applications.

DO NOT let your I-20 expire if you still plan to continue your program.

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Understanding Your I-20

  • Page 1 — Personal information that includes the following:
    • school, program, and level of study
    • program expiration date
    • required finances and funding sources
    • any dependents here in the U.S.
    • any notations by a DHS official
    • Signature of your Designated School Official (DSO)
    • Your signature signifying that you have read and certify the information
  • Page 2 — Authorizations
    • Any authorizations for curricular practical training
    • Any recommendation for optional practical training
    • any change of status or authorized reduced course loads
    • Current semester start/end date
    • Any travel endorsement signatures of a DSO affirming that the information on the front of your I-20 is correct and you are currently in status for the purpose of re-entering the U.S.
      • We recommend that students update this signature any time they plan to travel and come back to the U.S.
  • Page 3 — "Instructions to Students"
    • Please read and understand this information. It should be followed in order to maintain your status.
Extension
Initial I-20
Change of Major
Travel Signature
Other
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Extending Your I-20

If you need more time to finish your program beyond the completion date on your Form I-20, you must apply for an Extension of Program before the completion date.

  • We recommend that you apply no less than 30 days prior.
Instructions for an I-20 Extension

Check out the new international student checklist here and check each item on the list upon completion.

Follow the link and navigate to "Complete Enrollment Requirements: Obtain a Form I-20"

Please wait until you have been accepted into BYU AND have received an email from our office with instructions on how to receive your initial I-20. You will need to upload all of the required information in order to receive this I-20.

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Changing Your Major
  • If changing your major extends the time you need to graduate, you will need to extend your I-20 instead of filling out this request. Please see the "extension" tab above.
  • Graduate students who want to change degree levels should check with Graduate Studies for information and necessary forms.
  1. Be declared or accepted into your new major in BYU's system.
    • If you need help with this, please talk to your new major's department.
  2. If you have taken more than 45 credits, talk with your academic advisor to create a graduation plan.
    • Be sure that your academic advisor signs the graduation plan.
    • If you have no taken more than 45 credits, you do not need to upload a graduation plan.
  3. Fill out the E-form by clicking on "I-20 Update Request," then use the drop-down bar to click on "Change of Major."
  4. Follow the directions.

Note: It is a government requirement that your current I-20 major should match your actual university major.

We recommend that students get an updated travel signature no older than 6 months each time they travel outside of the U.S. Please read over the following options to get a travel signature:

  1. Make sure all of the information (major, sponsor, etc.) on your I-20 is up to date.
    • Bring your I-20 in-person. If an advisor is available, they will be able to sign it when you come in or within 3-5 days.
    • Request a travel signature online through the E-forms website.
      • Select F-1 Student Services, I-20 Update Request, then Travel Signature
      • This could take up to 3-5 business days and you will be emailed once your I-20 is ready.

Other changes or requests regarding your I-20 can be done through our E-forms website. These may include but are not limited to:

  • Lost I-20
  • Change of sponsor/finances
  • Dependent I-20s for spouse and/or children
  • Name change
  • OPT approval
  • Reinstatement of F-1 status
  • Cap-gap I-20 for H1-Bs