Overview and Definition
Students may need to request an "Initial" I-20 for a number of reasons listed below.
The information on this page is not intended for Newly Admitted Students. New or Transfer students will need to work with the Office of International Admissions to receive their new Initial or Transfer Pending I-20.
Reasons to request an "initial" I-20
The following are main reasons a student would need a new Initial I-20 to resume their studies at the University of Utah.
Students who failed to maintain their immigration status and want to regain their F-1 status by traveling out of the country and returning in a short time frame will request a new Initial I-20.
Students who do not wish to travel to regain their status will have one other option, Reinstatement. For more information about this, please refer to the Reinstatement page.
Students who closed their record due to a temporary leave of absence, personal matter or other circumstances and are ready to return to the U.S. and the University of Utah will request a new Initial I-20.
Students must have an active academic record at the University of Utah to request an Initial I-20. If a students does not have an active academic record, they will need to re-apply to the university and receive an Initial I-20 from the Office of International Admissions. If students are unsure if they have an active record will need to contact ISSS for verification.
Application Process
If the student is eligible for an "Initial" I-20, they will read below the applications steps to apply for the I-20 from ISSS and additional steps after receiving the I-20.
Application Steps
- Login to UAtlas and go to "F-1 Maintaining Your Status"
Complete the "Request for Initial I-20" e-form.
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Upload Required Financial Supporting Documents and/or Affidavit of Supports
In the e-form, students are required to submit Financial Proof of Funding. The documents must be issued within the last 6 months and be translated in English. Depending on the degree level, students must demonstrate the required amount or a higher amount according to the funding estimates for the academic year:
Funding estimates for undergraduate students may be found at the Undergraduate Costs page.
Funding estimates for graduate students may be found at the Graduate Costs page.
Be aware that the estimated expense for each dependent is $6,000 each dependent, meaning, on top of the required estimated costs, you will add $6,000 for every dependent.
Students with full department funding can just provide a funding letter from the department. The letter must be issued within the past 6 months, signed and on department letter head.
If the financial documents are from another individual, they are required to fill out the Affidavit of Support document and upload to the e-form request.
- A Designated School Official (DSO) from ISSS will review the completed application.
Once the DSO receives the completed application, they will process within 10 business days. DSOs will review the student's application, course enrollment, and to determine if the funding provided meets requirements. Once the application is approved, the student will receive an email from ISSS.
ISSS is not able to expedite any request as we strive to provide fair and equitable service to all students. It is the student's responsibility to ensure they submit their request in a timely manner.Calling and emailing ISSS to request that we process student's requests as soon as possible will only slow down the process.
- Receiving the Initial I-20
Once the application is approved, the DSO will send the I-20 electronically through UAtlas. Students will receive a second email with instructions on how to retrieve the I-20. Students must Immedietely print and sign the I-20
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee
Once the student printed and signed the Initial I-20, they are required to repay a new I-901 Fee. To learn how to pay the fee, students are encouraged to watch the I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Video created by Study in the States | Department of Homeland Security.
- Travel to the United States
Students will now travel to the United States with their "Initial" I-20 in hand.
Please ensure that the F-1 Visa stamp in the passport has not expired. If it has expired, students will need to schedule a visa appointment with a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad or inform ISSS if the student cannot return in time for the semester.
- Submit "Returning Student Check-In" e-form in UAtlas under "F-1 Maintaining Your Status."
After students re-enter the U.S., they are required to submit the "Returning Student Check-In" e-form in UAtlas under Maintaining Status. In this e-form, students will report their U.S. address and upload copies of immigration documents (Passport, F-1 Visa Stamp, Form I-94, and I-20)
Students who do not submit the "Returning Student Check-In" e-form within 15 days of arriving, will cause the new SEVIS immigration record to be terminated and the new I-20 will no longer be valid.
Receiving Initial I-20 - Frequently Asked Questions
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