Questions from Designated School Officials: Issuing Forms I-20 While an Update to the Form I-17 is Pending
February 11, 2013
Questions from Designated School Officials is a blog series on Study in the States for designated school officials (DSOs). Each Monday, we will answer a question that will help you help your F and/or M students. If you are a DSO and would like to submit a question, email sevpcommunications@ice.dhs.gov with the subject line “Questions from DSOs.” The Student and Exchange Visitor Program may edit questions for clarity and consistency. We may not feature all submissions on Study in the States.
Question: May I issue the Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status,” to an F or M student while my school has a pending update to the Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Students?”
Answer: If your school’s Form I-17 does not match the school’s current operating status, you must update the petition by reporting all changes.
You may continue to admit F and M students and issue Forms I-20 for previously approved programs while you have a pending update.
If you are updating your Form I-17 by adding new programs, you cannot issue a Form I-20 for any of those programs until the Student and Exchange Visitor Program has approved those updates.
More Questions from Designated School Officials
- Questions from Designated School Officials: International Student Transcript Submissions
- Questions from Designated School Officials: What is MAVNI?
- Questions from Designated School Officials: Traveling Transfer Students
- Questions from Designated School Officials: Program Completion Dates
