Request aN Initial form I-20
Learn about what happens when you receive a new I-20 to regain F-1 status from ISSS.
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 new, transfer, or discontinued students and will need to work with the Office of International Admissions to receive their new Initial or Transfer Pending I-20. For students who have been suspended must first work with Academic Standards before receiving an Initial I-20 from admissions.
Reasons to request an "initial" I-20
The following are the main reasons a student would need a new Initial I-20 to resume their studies at the University of Utah.
Student Is Out of Status
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.
Student's SEVIS Record was Closed Due to an Authorized Early Withdrawal
Students who closed their SEVIS record and took a temporary leave of absence for personal matter or other circumstances and are ready to return to the U.S. to resume their studies at 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 request an Initial I-20 from the Office of International Admissions. If students are unsure whether their academic record is in active status they will need to contact ISSS to verify.
Application Process
If the student is eligible for an "Initial" I-20, they will need to read the applications steps below to apply for the I-20 from ISSS and regain their F-1 status.
Application Steps
Upload Required Financial Supporting Documents and/or Affidavit of Support
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 I-20 issuance for undergraduate students may be found on the Undergraduate Costs page.
Funding estimates for I-20 issuance for graduate students may be found on the Graduate Costs page.
For I-20 issuance for students with dependents (such as spouses or children), 6,000 USD (or the equivalent after conversion when providing financial support in foreign currency) of funding must be provided for each dependent. Please note that dependent expenses are calculated separately from living expenses and tuition & fees. Dependent expenses will be reflected in the Financials section of the primary F-1 visa holder's I-20.
Students with full department funding may provide a funding letter from their department as financial support documentation. The letter needs to be written on a department letterhead, signed by a department official with signatory authority and must have been issued within the past 6 months to be considered valid funding.
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 ISSS receives a student's request for an Initial I-20, a DSO from our office will process the request within 10 business days (14 actual days). After the request is approved, the student will receive an email from ISSS with instructions on how to access their new initial I-20 form and necessary steps they will need to complete before and after arriving in the U.S.
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 before their planned return to the U.S. to allow sufficient time for their request to be processed.
Please refrain from calling and emailing ISSS multiple times to request expedited processing as this will only slow down processing. We will process students' requests as soon as possible.
Once a student's request is approved, a DSO from our office will send the student their new initial I-20 form electronically through UAtlas. Students will receive a second email with instructions on how to access their new initial I-20 form. After receiving the I-20 form, students must immediately print and sign their 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.
To resume their program of study and reinstate their F-1 student status, students will re-enter the United States using their new initial I-20 form.
It is students responsibility to ensure that their F-1 Visa stamp in their passport has not expired. If it has expired, students will need to schedule a visa renewal appointment at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. If a student is unable to return to the U.S. in time for the beginning of the semester for which they are planning to re-enter the U.S. and resume their studies, they must contact our office immediately.
Submit "Returning Student Check-In" e-form
Within 15 days of re-entering the U.S. using their initial I-20 form, students must
submit the "Returning Student Check-In" e-form in UAtlas. This form can be found in
UAtlas under "F-1 Maintaining Your Status." In the returning student check-in form,
students must report their current U.S. address and upload copies of their immigration
documents such as passport, F-1 visa stamp, I-94, and signed I-20 form.
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
Re-entry to the United States is always at the discretion of Customs and Border Protection. ISSS recommends all of your documents are up to date and valid prior to returning to the United States.
If you are denied re-entry to the United States, please contact our office and your local US embassy/consulate.
If the F-1 visa expired, students will need to schedule a visa renewal appointment at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. If a student is unable to return to the U.S. in time for the beginning of the semester for which they are planning to re-enter the U.S. and resume their studies, they must contact our office immediately.