I-20 or DS-2019 Information

The I-20 or DS-2019 are multi-purposeful documents issued by a U.S. government-approved educational institution certifying that a student has been admitted to a full-time program of study and has demonstrated sufficient financial resources to stay in the U.S for the duration of the program. The I-20 or DS-2019 is officially titled the “Certificate of Eligibility,” because it allows an individual to apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa at a U.S. Embassy or consulate abroad. All nonimmigrant visitors are required to have a valid visa in their passport to be allowed entry into the U.S (with the exception of Canadians*). 

*Canadian citizens are not required to apply for a visa to enter the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1, but must still pay the SEVIS Fee and present an I-20 or DS-2019 at the U.S. port of entry. However, if the visitor has been admitted to Canada as a non-Canadian citizen permanent resident, a U.S. visa is required to enter the U.S..

AVOID I-20 DELAYS

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will review an applicant's file for I-20 issuance after a student has been officially admitted to Coastal Carolina University. This includes review of financial and identification documents. Your patience is appreciated as the time that it takes to evaluate all documentation and to process an I-20 varies from applicant to applicant. Paying attention to the following points will help you to avoid unnecessary delays.

Submit the required documents for I-20 processing early rather than waiting until after the admission decision is made. Documents must not be older than six months at time the I-20 is issued. When submitting documents by email, please send them as an attachment, and formatted as a .docx, .doc, or .pdf file extension. All information should be clearly visible. 

Documents required for I-20

• A copy of the biographical page of your passport.
• A completed Confidential Financial Statement AY2022-23
• A notorized Affidavit of bank account balance from financial institution. 
• A valid mailing address (either in home country or in U.S)

Additional materials are required for students, who are currently in the US or have an active SEVIS record.

• You must submit a SEVIS transfer form from current your current/last educational institution.