Requesting Your Form I-20
If you have been admitted to one of Berklee's undergraduate programs, graduate programs, or the Music and English Intensive Program (MEIP), follow the following steps to request your Form I-20.
If you are currently studying at another U.S. school and would like to transfer your SEVIS record to Berklee: follow steps 1–3 below to request a Berklee I-20. The I-20 Request Packet includes a question where you can indicate that you plan to transfer your SEVIS record to Berklee. Your Berklee I-20 can be issued once we have your application and supporting documents, and your SEVIS record has been released to Berklee from your current school.
Step 1: Accept your Offer of Admission and pay your tuition deposit
Step 2: Download and complete the I-20 Request Packet
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.
Download the I-20 Request Packet: I-20 Request Packet (Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025)
Step 3: Submit the I-20 Request Submission Form
Use the I-20 Request Packet Submission Form to submit your documents to Berklee. It may take up to 4 weeks for your Form I-20 to be issued. We will email your Form I-20 to the email address that you provided on the I-20 Request Packet Submission Form.
Review, Print, and Sign your Form I-20
Review, print, and sign your Form I-20, then present it at your visa interview and at the U.S. port of entry. You must present a hard copy with your signature for visa or travel purposes. A digital copy on your phone or other device will not be accepted.
If you are transferring your SEVIS record to Berklee from another U.S. school, your Berklee Form 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.
Paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee Online
You will use the information on the Form I-20 issued by Berklee 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.
Transfer students: 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.
Make sure you keep a copy of your fee payment receipt.
Form I-20 request deadlines:
Fall Undergraduate, Graduate or Music and English Intensive Program (MEIP) Program | July 1 |
Spring Undergraduate or MEIP Program | December 1 |
Summer Undergraduate, Graduate or MEIP Program | April 1 |
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.
Students must apply for an F-1 student visa, which is a requirement for attending Berklee if you are not a U.S. citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident. (Canadian and Bermudian citizens are not required to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy. They can request to be admitted in F-1 status at the U.S. port of entry by presenting their Berklee I-20, I-901 SEVIS fee receipt, Canadian or Bermudian passport, and supporting financial documentation.)
