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Question: May I issue the Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status,” to an F or M student while my school has a pending update to the Form I-17, “Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Students?”

To study as an F or M student in the United States you need a Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Status.” Do you know what it is and why it is important? After officials notify you of acceptance to a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school, a designated school official (DSO) at that school will give you one of two different types of this form:

You have much to remember when you choose a school. The first is that the school you choose to attend must be Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified.

The application process in the United States may be very different from applying to a school in your home country. Be sure to read about the process before you begin.

USCIS will only continue to stamp forms until November 21, 2012. Students should not experience any issues when applying for benefits like a driver’s license or social security number. If you do have a problem, speak with your designated school official (DSO).

There has been an important change in the process for international students entering the United States. As of August 10, 2012, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) no longer provides admission stamps at a United States port of entry on a Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” or Form DS-2019, “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status,” for prospective and returning F, M and J nonimmigrants. CBP will continue, however to stamp passports and Forms I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” stamped upon arrival at a port of entry.

Whether you spent your vacation working, traveling or visiting your home country, there are important documents you must bring with you when you travel back to school.