I-20 and F-1 Visa Information

Officially called a “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” the I-20 is a document issued by Berklee to show that you have been admitted to a full-time program at Berklee, and that you have sufficient financial resources to cover your educational and living expenses. Your I-20 will be issued once you submit a complete I-20 Request Packet and an advisor creates a record for you in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) database. You will need your I-20 along with your F-1 visa and passport to enter the U.S. You will also need your I-20 for other official purposes such as applying for a U.S. Social Security number or driver’s license, or to complete employment verification paperwork for on- or off-campus employment.

Your I-20 is not a visa. You need an I-20 to apply for an F-1 student visa and enter the U.S. as an F-1 student. The I-20 is issued by your school, and visas are issued only by U.S. embassies and consulates outside the U.S.

Important items on your I-20

• Program End Date (page 1, under "Program of Study"): this is your I-20 expiration date. This date indicates how long you may stay in the U.S. as long as you are enrolled and maintaining valid F-1 status. The program end date is based on an estimate of how long it typically takes to complete your program of study. The program end date can be adjusted if it takes you more or less time to complete your program.
• Earliest Admission Date (page 1, under "Program of Study"): this is the earliest date you may enter the U.S. as an F-1 student.
• Travel Signature (page 2, under "Travel Endorsements"): if you plan to travel and return to the U.S. during your enrollment, you must have a valid travel signature on page 2 of your I-20. The travel signature confirms that you are enrolled and maintaining F-1 status. The travel signature expires one year after the date that it was issued (note: the date is formatted as month, day, year–see an example here). Your I-20 will already have a travel signature when it is issued to you. When it is time for a new travel signature, review the information on the Travel, I-20, and F-1 Visa page (login required).

The F-1 visa is the sticker that the U.S. consulate or embassy places on a page in your passport and it is issued specifically for entry into the U.S. The visa, along with your I-20, allows you to request admission to the U.S. as an F-1 student when you arrive at the U.S. port of entry.

Visas are only issued by U.S. consulates and embassies abroad. It is neither possible nor necessary to renew your visa while you are in the U.S. However, if you leave the U.S. after your visa has expired, you must apply for a new F-1 visa in your country of residence before you can re-enter the U.S.

The visa does not need to remain valid while you are in the U.S.; the F-1 visa might expire before your status expires, or your status might end before your visa expires. The length of time you are permitted to stay in the U.S. is not related to the F-1 visa expiration date; rather, it is determined by your I-20 program end date and compliance with the F-1 regulations. The "Traveling to the U.S." section on this page has more information about F-1 regulations.

Canadian and Bermudian citizens: note that you are not required to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy. You will need to present your passport, I-20, I-901 SEVIS fee receipt, and supporting financial documentation at the U.S. port of entry in order to be admitted to the U.S. in F-1 status.

Your immigration “status” in the U.S. is the visa category officially granted to you by the immigration officer at the port of entry. You need an I-20 and F-1 visa in order to request admission to the U.S. in F-1 status.

When you are admitted to the U.S. in F-1 status, it means that you are legally in the U.S. and have benefits and restrictions specified under the F-1 visa regulations. Once admitted to the U.S. in F-1 status, you will remain in F-1 status as long as your I-20 is valid and your SEVIS record remains active. The "Traveling to the U.S." section on this page has more information about maintaining F-1 status.

Canadian and Bermudian citizens: note that you are not required to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy. You will need to present your passport, I-20, I-901 SEVIS fee receipt, and supporting financial documentation at the U.S. port of entry in order to be admitted to the U.S. in F-1 status.

The I-20 request packet includes an estimate of expenses, a checklist for all required documents, and instructions for submitting your I-20 request packet and supporting materials to Berklee.

In order for Berklee to issue an I-20, students are required to submit documentation proving they have access to a minimum amount of funding for their program and living expenses. The same documentation must be presented at an F-1 visa interview. Refer to pages 2 and 3 of the I-20 request packet for detailed information about the proof of funding requirements.

Download the I-20 Request Packet:

• For students entering Berklee in the summer 2024 semester: I-20 Request Packet
• For students entering Berklee in the fall 2024, spring 2025, or summer 2025 semester: I-20 Request Packet

First, review the checklist on page 1 of the I-20 Request Packet to make sure you have all of your required documents. Then use the I-20 Request Packet Submission Form to submit your documents to Berklee.

Submit the I-20 Request Packet Form

Once your I-20 request packet has been approved, we will email your I-20 within 10 business days to the email address that you provided on the I-20 Request Packet Submission Form. Review, print, and sign your I-20, then present it at your visa interview and at the U.S. port of entry. A digital copy on your phone or other device is not acceptable for visa or travel purposes; you must provide a hard copy. 

If you are transferring your SEVIS record to Berklee from another U.S. school: your Berklee I-20 can be issued once your I-20 request packet has been approved and your SEVIS record has been released to Berklee from your current school.

After you receive your Berklee I-20, you will use the information on your I-20 to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee. This $350 USD fee is paid directly to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and is used to cover the costs of operating the SEVIS system. Instructions for how to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee will be included in the email with your I-20. 

The I-901 SEVIS fee is required each time a student is issued a new SEVIS ID number. Students typically retain the same SEVIS ID number throughout their academic program. A new SEVIS ID number is issued only if a student's SEVIS record is terminated (e.g., for taking a leave of absence) and the student requests a new I-20 to return to the U.S. to resume their studies.

Students transferring their SEVIS record from another U.S. school to Berklee do not have to pay the SEVIS fee again, as their SEVIS ID number will not change.

You must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee before scheduling your visa interview appointment. We recommend that you pay it at least three days prior to your visa interview. Do not attempt to pay the fee until you receive your I-20. (Note: the SEVIS I-901 fee is separate from the DS-160 visa application fee.)

About the school code: you will need to enter the school code shown in the "School Information" section on page 1 of your I-20. Enter the first three letters of the school code in the first box; skip "214F"; enter the next five digits in the next box; enter the following three digits in the last box.

For Canadian and Bermudian citizens: you are required to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee even though you do not need to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy. The I-901 SEVIS fee payment is verified at the U.S. port of entry. We recommend that you pay the I-901 SEVIS fee at least three days prior to entering the U.S. You will need to present your passport, I-20, I-901 SEVIS fee receipt, and supporting financial documentation at the U.S. port of entry in order to be admitted to the U.S. in F-1 status. 

Make sure you keep a copy of your fee payment receipt. 

1. Visit USEmbassy.gov to locate the U.S. consulate or embassy that serves the area where you live.
2. Follow the instructions on the website of your local U.S. consulate or embassy to schedule an interview for your F-1 visa. Typically, visa interviews are scheduled through USTravelDocs.com.
3. Verify the required application documents and application procedures on the website of your local U.S. consulate or embassy where will have your visa interview.
4. Complete the online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application Form DS-160 and pay the visa application fee. Make sure that you print your payment receipt and DS-160 confirmation page.
   • You must enter the name of the contact person or organization in the U.S. in the "U.S. Point of Contact Information" section of the DS-160. Enter the person's name shown under "School Official to Contact Upon Arrival" in the "School Information" section on page 1 of your I-20. Enter the "School Address" shown in the "School Information" section.
   • Phone number: 617-266-1400

After your visa interview, you can track the status of your visa application.

To make sure you are prepared for your interview, verify the required application documents and application procedures on the U.S. embassy or consulate website where you will have your visa interview. All supporting documents must be printed, physical copies. Digital copies are not acceptable for visa interview purposes.

The following documents are typically required for a visa interview:

1. Your Berklee I-20, printed and signed by you on page 1.
2. A printout of your I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt for your current SEVIS ID number.
3. Your passport, valid for at least six months beyond the date you plan to travel to the U.S.
4. Letter of acceptance for your semester of entry. A printout of the letter from your Admissions portal is sufficient.
5. Financial documents used when submitting your I-20 to Berklee.
   • A letter of support, found on page 6 of the I-20 Request Packet, must accompany all financial documentation that is not from your own personal account.
   • A printout of your scholarship award letter, if applicable.
6. Proof of ties to your home country/country of residence. Examples include the following:
   • Official letters, issued by a bank or other governing bodies, proving that you or your family own a business.
   • Deeds or papers showing that you or your family own property.
   • If you or your family have made numerous visits to the U.S., passports (even expired ones) that prove that you or your family have returned home after each visit.
   • Proof of membership in a professional organization.
   • A letter from a prospective employer stating that a position may be offered to you upon your return or that professionals with your academic qualifications are needed. 
   • A letter from your current employer stating that you will resume work with them after your time in the US.

The interview will be brief, typically 2–3 minutes. Prepare your documents in advance, and keep your answers concise. Answer all questions truthfully. Only answer what the officer asks you.

The interview will be conducted in English. You should practice your English conversation with a friend or family member before your interview, but do not use a prepared script during your interview.

The officer may ask about future employment, family or other relationships, educational objectives, long-range career plans and goals, and career prospects in your home country/country of residence. Be prepared to explain how studying in the U.S. relates to your future professional career in your home country/country of residence and your intent to depart the U.S. at the conclusion of your studies or practical training.

What to do if your visa application is denied: in the event that you are denied a student visa, you are entitled to receive in writing the reason why you were denied. Ask the officer for a list of documents that you could present at a future interview to help you overcome the denial.

Items 1 and 2 listed below are required; an immigration officer may request to see items 3, 4, and/or 5. Keep all of the following documents in your carry-on bag:

1. Printed copy of your Berklee I-20, signed on page 1
2. Passport with valid F-1 visa*
3. I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt
4. Printed copy of your Berklee acceptance letter
5. Printouts of the financial documents you used to request your I-20

*Canadian and Bermudian citizens: note that you are not required to apply for an F-1 visa. However, you will need to present your passport, I-20, I-901 SEVIS fee receipt, and supporting financial documentation at the U.S. port of entry in order to be admitted to the U.S. in F-1 status.

The earliest date you can enter the U.S. as an F-1 student is printed under “Earliest Admission Date'' in the Program of Study section on page 1 of your I-20. 

Use your I-20 and F-1 visa to enter the U.S. only when you are ready to stay in Boston or New York for the semester. Immigration regulations do not allow F-1 students to use their I-20 and F-1 visa to enter the U.S. more than 30 days prior to their program start date.

Do not enter the U.S. on a tourist visa (B-1/B-2) or using the ESTA. You will not be permitted to study.

Contact your Enrollment Officer immediately if an emergency arises and you cannot enter the U.S. by the program start date shown on your I-20.

If you plan to take a short trip to the U.S. (campus tour, visiting family or friends, etc.), you should enter the U.S. as a tourist with the ESTA or tourist visa (B-1/B-2). However, you must exit the U.S. and re-enter in F-1 status before reporting to Berklee on the program start date shown on your I-20. You will not be permitted to study if you are in the U.S. in tourist status.

Show the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer your passport, F-1 visa stamp*, and I-20. The officer may ask you a few questions about Berklee College of Music, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, or Berklee NYC, and they may request to see your financial documents and acceptance letter. Answer all questions truthfully, and only answer what the officer asks you.

Read more about what to expect when you arrive at the U.S. port of entry at Study in the States.

The immigration official may stamp your passport; however, it is no longer required and many ports of entry have discontinued stamping passports. Instead, you can look up your U.S. entry information via your electronic I-94 record.

Do not enter the U.S. on a tourist visa or using the ESTA. You will not be permitted to study.

*Canadian and Bermudian citizens: an F-1 visa stamp in your passport is not required for entry. Present your passport, I-20, I-901 SEVIS fee receipt, and supporting financial documentation at the U.S. port of entry in order to be admitted to the U.S. in F-1 status.

Every nonimmigrant entering the U.S. on a sponsored visa (F, J, H, etc.) will have an electronic Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record created by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security upon entry. This record is proof that you have been legally admitted to the U.S. in a particular visa status for a specified duration of time. For F and J visa holders, the amount of time is indicated by the notation “D/S,” which means you can be in the U.S. for the “Duration of Status” of your program.

A new I-94 record is created each time you enter the U.S. Visit the I-94 Website and select “Get Most Recent I-94” to look up your most recent arrival record. Select “View Travel History” to look up all arrival/departure records for your passport.

You will need to submit your electronic I-94 to Berklee as part of the international student check-in process.

The seven points below provide a basic summary of the immigration regulations that apply to F-1 students in the U.S. International Student Services will discuss the F-1 regulations in detail during international student orientation. Study in the States also has an overview of the F-1 regulations.

U.S. immigration regulations are complex and nuanced; do not rely on advice from your friends, classmates, teachers, or parents. Berklee International Student Services (ISS) are experts in the field of F-1 regulations and should be your first stop if you have questions about your immigration status.

How to Maintain F-1 Status

1. Your immigration status is dependent on your student status. You will remain in valid F-1 status as long as you maintain your enrollment, make the expected progress toward your degree, and are otherwise in compliance with the F-1 regulations.
2. You must enroll in and complete at least 12 required credits per semester, for two semesters each year. Read about the Part-Time and Vacation Semester (login required) policies for F-1 visa holders.

3. You may not work off-campus without explicit permission from the U.S. government. This includes gigs, remote/online work, teaching, earning income from content created and uploaded while in the U.S., etc. You can read detailed information on the Gigs, Online Work, and Volunteering page (login required), and you will learn more during international student orientation.

   F-1 regulations limit off-campus employment to students who have been enrolled for at least two semesters and have maintained their immigration status and academic standing. However, F-1 students may work on campus through Student Emplyoment as soon as their first semester. Go to F-1 Employment Options (login required) to read more.

4. Do not let your I-20 expire while you are enrolled. The I-20 expiration date is the same as the program end date shown under the "Program of Study" section on page 1. If you will need more time to complete your degree requirements, contact International Student Services at least one month before the expiration date to request an extension.
5. Changes to your U.S. or home country address must be updated in your my.berklee.edu account within 10 days of moving.
6. Berklee International Student Services will send important information about your immigration status to your Berklee email address. The College and Conservatory use email as the official form of communication. It is important to check your email regularly and carefully read email communication sent to you from International Student Services.
7. You must complete U.S. federal and Massachusetts state tax forms each year that you are in the U.S. in F-1 status, even if you did not work or earn income in the U.S. Around mid-February each year, International Student Services will email you with tax information and provide access to free tax preparation software designed exclusively for F-1 students. Read more about taxes for F-1 students (login required).