I-20 FAQs

International students at Arizona State University who need to apply for an F-1 visa must submit ASU’s required I-20 documents before a Form I-20 document can be issued.

Students attending ASU Online and ASU Sync, as well as nondegree-seeking students, are not eligible for a Form I-20 document issued by ASU. Visiting students (students who only take a few classes at ASU with the intent of transferring credits back to their previous institution) are not generally eligible.

Degree-seeking students admitted to ASU’s on-campus programs can have I-20 documents reviewed for issuance of a Form I-20 document after being admitted to their program. It is extremely important to submit ASU’s I-20 required documents as early as possible after being admitted to ensure a Form I-20 document can be issued before the semester of admission. 

For I-20 processing timelines and deadlines, a walkthrough of the I-20 process, and I-20 frequently asked questions, see the international student visas webpage.  

You can upload the required documents via the I-20 tracker on My ASU. Minimum required I-20 documents include: 

• A completed ASU Financial Guarantee Form.
• Financial documents showing the required funding for your program for one academic year (nine months) for tuition and fees and living expenses.
• A copy of your passport photo page.

After all I-20 documents have been received by Admission Services and you have been fully admitted to your program, ASU aims to review your required I-20 documents within seven to 10 business days following receipt. 

For I-20 processing timelines and deadlines, a walkthrough of the I-20 process, and I-20 frequently asked questions, see the international student visas webpage.  

We strongly recommend that you read the ASU Financial Guarantee Form in its entirety before submitting any documents to ensure that you understand the requirements.

• A completed ASU Financial Guarantee Form.
• Financial documents showing the required funding for your program for one academic year (nine months) for tuition and fees and living expenses.
• A copy of your passport photo page.

Financial documents show proof of funding and are separate from the ASU Financial Guarantee Form.  

All financial documents need to be dated within 12 months from the first day of the semester to which you are admitted. Financial documents should cover the entire amount displayed on the ASU Financial Guarantee Form for the first nine months of your program.

• Bank statements with liquid assets that indicate:

   

  Type of currency (cash deposits, certificates of deposit, savings accounts, etc.). Please submit only the bank summary. Bank transaction history is not needed. Screenshots of bank accounts will not be accepted. 

• Bank certification on original bank letterhead that includes:

   

  Bank name, address, bank official’s printed name and title, bank official’s original signature, bank seal, account holder’s name, type of account, current amount in account, currency type, and date of issuance. 

• Scholarship letter that includes all of the following: the full name of the student, the amount of money being awarded, the duration of the award, confirmation that the award may be used for study at ASU, and the degree and major of study it is approved for. If the scholarship letter does not cover the full costs indicated on the ASU Financial Guarantee Form for your program, please make sure that additional funding support documentation is also submitted. 
• Governmental funding produced by a sponsoring agency recognized by ASU, which includes all of the following: the applicant’s full name, the academic program at ASU that the funding is approved for, term of the sponsorship, amounts and what items it covers.
• In-principle and sanctioned loan letters must be accompanied by terms and conditions to determine acceptability.
• Business bank accounts accompanied by a letter on company letterhead stating that funds in the account are available for the purpose of meeting the educational expenses of the student while they are attending ASU.
• Provident fund statement, accompanied by written confirmation issued by the financial institution confirming withdrawable funds for education purposes.

• Department assistantship at ASU. A copy of your offer letter must be submitted. 

   

  Note: The funding listed on the Form I-20 document is only for the first nine months of your program. ASU Admission Services will calculate your funding for this period using your offer letter. We are unable to use summer funding for I-20 processing purposes. Amounts are not negotiable and funds may only be applied as designated. If TA or RA offers do not cover the full costs indicated on the ASU Financial Guarantee Form for your program, please make sure that additional funding support documentation is also submitted.

• Investment statements showing liquid assets (accounts that are cash balances only).

• Expected income (such as salary statements)
• Tax statements
• Property assessments 
• Investment statement showing stocks, bonds or cryptocurrencies
• Bank statements lacking currency amounts 
• Screenshots of bank accounts
• Insurance policies 
• Business-named bank account without signatory verification 
• Statements showing nonliquid assets (jewelry, buildings, land, automobiles, etc.)
• Credit cards
• Solvency certificates
• Statements issued by accountants or accountancy firms

Your financial documents must show at least the USD equivalent of the funding required for your program for one academic year (nine months) for tuition and fees and living expenses, listed in Section 2 of the ASU Financial Guarantee Form. 

We cannot issue a Form I-20 document where insufficient funding is demonstrated, which will result in a delay of your I-20 issuance. 

Please ensure your financial documents show sufficient funding before submitting documents.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your proposed date of entry into the U.S. If it is not valid, the Form I-20 document will not be issued until a valid passport that meets the six-month requirement is provided to Admission Services.

Note: If you are already in the U.S. and eligible for a SEVIS I-20 transfer and are not leaving the U.S. before starting at ASU, the six-month requirement does not pertain to you. You will be required to renew your passport when you go back home and before reentering the U.S. again.

Once you have received your Form I-20 document, do not delay in booking your visa appointment. We recommend you check wait times for your local embassy or consulate, as some areas may be experiencing wait times longer than 30 days. 

You should submit ASU’s required I-20 documents as soon as possible to ensure you allow plenty of time to apply for your F-1 visa.