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Frequently Asked Questions About the I-20 Application Process

(Please visit our web site at http://www.temple.edu/ois/instructions.html for detailed information about the application process)

Q. I  entered the United States with my spouse or parents and am in a dependant status ( L-2, H-4, J-2). Do I have to change my status in order to study at Temple University? 

Q. What documents do I need in order to obtain an I-20? 

Q. Do I need to submit the I-20 application if I have not yet been admitted?

Q. Have I been admitted yet?

Q. Does a permanent resident of the U.S. need an I-20?

Q. I entered the United States in B-2 status, can I apply for a change of status in the United States?

 


Q.     I  entered the United States with my spouse or parents and am in a dependant status ( L-2, H-4, J-2). Do I have to change my status in order to study at Temple University?

A.    Except for individuals in F-2 status, individuals in dependant status are permitted to study full-time, part-time, or not at all. However, if you wish to gain employment in the United States, even on-campus, you must be in a student status.Also,  if you are the child of a primary visa holder, you may only remain in dependant status until you are 21.

Q.     What documents do I need in order to obtain an I-20?

  • Financial documentation: You must document that you will be pay all required tuition and fees while studying in the United States.
  • A copy of your acceptance letter
  • If transferring within the U.S., a Sevis release date.  See http://www.temple.edu/ois/home/prospective/immigration_transfer.htm for details.

Q. Do I have to submit all required documentation now?

Again, no.  It will not affect the decision regarding admission.  However the sooner we get the required information the sooner we can issue the I-20. The OIS would appreciate it if you would fax financial documentation as soon as possible so that it may reviewed and we have sufficient time to correspond should there be any additional information required of you.

Q. Do I need to submit the I-20 application if I have not yet been admitted?

A. No, It will not affect the decision regarding admission.  However the sooner we get the required information the sooner we can issue the I-20. The OIS would appreciate it if you would fax financial documentation as soon as possible so that it may reviewed and we have sufficient time to correspond should there be any additional information required of you.

Q. Have I been admitted yet?

A. OIS does not handle admissions. Please the department to which you applied for information regarding the status of your application. A listing of departmental e-mail addresses is available at http://www.temple.edu/info/email.html

Q. Does a permanent resident of the U.S. need an I-20?

A. No.  F-1 status and the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) are for NON-IMMIGRANT students ONLY.  If you find that Temple University has you listed incorrectly in its system as a non-immigrant status, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or, if you're a graduate applicant, the department to which you applied. The OIS cannot change information on the admissions' screen.

Q. I entered the United States in B-2 status, can I apply for a in the United States?

A. As of April 12, 2002, INS has published a new regulation which bars nonimmigrants who have entered the United States in B-1 or B-2 (visitor) status from changing status to F-1 or M-1 (student) status unless they notified the INS upon their initial entry of their intent to begin a course of study in the U.S.  The INS continues to recognize that many prospective students enter the United States as B-1 or B-2 visitors in order to visit campuses of academic institutions prior to making a decision on where to attend, with the understanding that the individual will subsequently apply to change status to F-1 or M-1 student.  The new regulation requires such B-1 or B-2 visitors to state such an intention explicitly at the time that they apply for admission to the United States.  The individual must also at that time present any Forms I-20 that have been issued.

Furthermore, applicants for change of status from B-1/B-2 visitor to F-1 or M-1 student will no longer be permitted to commence their courses of study until their changes of status have been granted, in contrast to the current practice that allows such individuals to begin their studies while their applications are pending.  Prospective students entering on B-1/B-2 visas must wait for INS approval of their changes of status to F-1 or M-1 before engaging in studies at an academic institution.