Frequently Asked Questions for Newly Admitted Students

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security currently permits schools to electronically send Form I-20 documents that have been digitally signed by the DSO.

International students who have been admitted to Stevens and have submitted all required documents for issuance of the I-20 form will receive the Form I-20 via email in PDF format. Processing time for the Form I-20 is a minimum of 10 business days from the date documents are received from the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Please note that presenting an electronic copy of your I-20 form from your phone and/or laptop will not at accepted at your visa interview or entry to the U.S. Please review the electronically provided I-20 Form and ensure all details are correct prior to printing and signing the Student Attestation on page 1. Please use this printed form I-20 for your visa interview and entry to the U.S.

I-20s are generally issued within 10 business days of receiving required documents. If additional documentation or information is needed, an ISSS staff member will contact you directly once the review of documents is completed.  When processed the Form I-20 will be forwarded electronically to the email provided on your application.

Students may use an unexpired F-1 visa for initial entry in F-1 status if:

• their initial I-20 issued by Stevens was used to obtain that F-1 visa,

• admission is deferred to the following semester, and

• they possess a valid new I-20 along with the unexpired F-1 visa at the time of entry

Students who have questions regarding online programs or deferring their program start date to a later semester should contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for more information.

Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions to learn about options you may explore. Your I-20 start date, however, will be deferred to a later semester. This is because if you are not in the U.S., then you do not need an active SEVIS record so even though you can start coursework online, you will not have an active SEVIS record.