Student Forms
Forms Before Entering the United States
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Except for the name of the form, the information on both forms is the same. A student and the student’s dependents must have a Form I-20 to apply for a student visa, to enter the United States and apply for benefits. For more information about this form, please visit the Students and the Form I-20 resource page. If you’re a designated school official with questions about issuing a Form I-20, please visit the DSOs and the Form I-20 resource page.
- SEVIS I-901 Form, “Remittance for Certain F, J and M Visa Nonimmigrants”
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You use this form to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee. You must pay this fee before you can apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. To pay this fee visit FMJfee.com. Once you pay your I-901 SEVIS Fee, you must print the receipt as proof of payment and take it with you to your visa appointment and when you travel to the United States.
For more information about this form, please visit the Paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee resource page.
Forms While You Are in the United States
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- Form I-515A, “Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor”
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If you arrive at a U.S. port of entry without the required documents, a Customs and Border Protection officer may issue you this form. It allows you temporary admittance to the United States for 30 days. During that time you must send the required documents to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Form I-515A processing team or depart the United States. To learn more, visit Form I-515A Overview
This is very important: If you do not send the required documents to the SEVP Form I-515A processing team within 30 days, your nonimmigrant status will be terminated, and you must leave the United States immediately.
- Form I-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status”
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Use this form if you want to request a change to another nonimmigrant visa status (F-2 to F-1, F-1 to H-1B, etc.), or to request reinstatement if you have fallen out of student status. M students must also use this form to extend nonimmigrant status or transfer to another Student and Exchange Visitor Program-certified school.
You can complete this form on the I-539, Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status page of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
For more information about applications to extend or change nonimmigrant status, please visit the Change of Status resource page. To access a link to the online form and online filing eligibility, visit the Form I-539 Online page.
- Form I-765, “Application for Employment Authorization”
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Submit this form with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to apply for employment authorization, such as optional practical training or off-campus employment. You can complete this form on the I-765, Application for Employment Authorization page of the USCIS website.
For more information about instances when you may need to apply for employment authorization, visit the Training Opportunities in the United States resource page.
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Form I-766, “Employment Authorization Document”
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When U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approves your Form I-765, you will receive a Form I-766, "Employment Authorization Document" (EAD) in the mail. This is your proof that you have authorization to work in the United States. You must carry this card with you when you travel. You may not begin to work until the date listed on your EAD; it also lists the date when your employment authorization ends.
For more information about instances when you may need to apply for an EAD, visit the Working in the United States resource page.
- Form I-797A, “Notice of Action”
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This form is a notice of approval of an application or of receipt of a submission. You may receive this form while in F or M status in any of these situations:
If U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approves your Form I-539 request to change your nonimmigrant status (e.g., to F-1 from another status or from F-1 to H-1B status).
To notify you of approval of your application for reinstatement of student status or extension of status
When you have submitted a I-901 SEVIS Fee payment, to notify you that the Student and Exchange Visitor Program has received it and that the transaction is complete
As a receipt for a filed Form I-290B, “Notice of Appeal or Motion,” or employment authorization