Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019)
Your Certificate of Eligibility—Form I-20 for F-1 students or DS-2019 for J-1 students— is a multi-purpose government form produced in SEVIS, that is used in connection with many F-1 or J-1 procedures and benefits. This section will familiarize you with certain aspects of this important form.
It's required as a part of the visa application process, and you will use it along with your visa to enter the US.
Keep your I-20 or DS-2019 up to date, and let your ISSS advisor know about any changes.
When you travel outside the US, get a travel signature from ISSS that will be no more than 1 year old when you return to the US. If you need an updated travel signature, make sure you fill out the travel signature request e-form in ISSS Link prior to visiting the ISSS office.
Your I-20 or DS-2019 contains:
a. Your SEVIS ID number
b. The name of your school (or site of activity)
c. Your degree level or exchange visitor category
d. Your program of study
e. The program start and estimated completion date
f. Any practical training authorizations or endorsements
g. Travel signatures
h. Other important information used by the consular official and port of entry official
