Form I-20 and F-1 Student Visa

In order to apply for the F-1 Student Visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country, you need to receive the Form I-20 (also known as Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant F-1 Student Status) from UCLA Summer Sessions. This form will be issued by the UCLA Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars (DCISS).

To receive the Form I-20 from UCLA you first must:

• Enroll in a minimum of 1 unit per week of attendance;
• Receive an email from DCISS within 48 hours with the link to the I-20 portal;
• Complete the I-20 request and upload the following documents:
• Passport Copy
• Confidential Financial Statement (CFS)
• Proof of Sufficient Funds
• Proof of English Proficiency
• Additional documents for F-1 students transferring from another U.S. institution:
• SEVIS Transfer Form
• Previous/Current School’s I-20

Session A: May 3rd
Session C: June 3rd

Please allow 3 to 4 weeks for the I-20 processing after uploading all required documents and submitting the I-20 request. When ready, your I-20 will be shipped via FedEx International Priority Mail.

If you will be transferring your I-20 to UCLA, please contact the F-1 advisor at your current school and request the release of your SEVIS record to UCLA.

After receiving the Form I-20 from UCLA Summer Sessions, you can:

• Schedule an appointment at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate;
• Pay the application fee and gather the required documents;
• Pay the SEVIS Fee at www.fmjfee.com at least 3 days before your visa interview.

Canadian citizens are NOT required to visit the U.S. Embassy, but ARE required to complete the I-20 request, pay the SEVIS fee and have it recorded before arriving at a U.S. Port of Entry.

For up-to-date information, please visit the Department of State website.

To maintain legal F-1 student status at UCLA, you are required to:

• Complete the mandatory visa check-in within one week upon your arrival to the United States;
• Maintain full-time enrollment (1 unit per week of attendance) and earn a passing grade in all your courses;
• Have health insurance for the duration of your studies (provide by UCLA);
• Maintain a valid passport;
• Get DCISS approval for any temporary travel outside of the U.S;
• Accept no employment without consulting with an F-1 advisor at DCISS;
• Notify DCISS before you transfer to another U.S. school;
• Leave the U.S. or transfer to another U.S. school within sixty (60) days after the completion of your program.