Once you receive your official acceptance from an American university for your studies, that university will provide you the USCIS Form I-20 A-B/ID, which is a "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status - for Academic and Language Students." This form is four pages long. It must be signed by both you and by a school official. If your university did not provide this with your acceptance letter and information, contact their admissions office or office of international students. I-20 forms may only be obtained from US universities after you have been admitted.

Your I-20 is a requirement for obtaining a visa. After receiving this form, you will need to take it along with other appropriate documentation to the nearest U.S. consulate to obtain your student visa. If you are accepted to more than one school and receive more than one I-20 form, you must decide which school you will attend and bring only the I-20 form from that school when you apply for your visa. Note: Handwritten notes from universities are not acceptable. You must have an official I-20 form signed by an official at an approved US university or college.