Receive your SHSU I-20

Congratulations on your acceptance to Sam Houston State University! Shortly after you receive your official SHSU acceptance email or letter, an advisor from the Global Engagement Center will contact you to set up shipment of your I-20 (for students outside the U.S.) or transfer of your SEVIS record (for students inside the U.S.).

What is the form I-20?

The I-20 is your evidence that you are an international student at SHSU. If you are currently outside the U.S., your first I-20 will read “Initial Attendance.” This I-20 allows you to apply for your F1 student visa and enter the U.S. Once you arrive at SHSU, you will check in at the Office of International Programs and receive a “Continued Attendance” I-20. This I-20 denotes that you are an enrolled student at SHSU.

International students already in the U.S., studying at another institution, can request to transfer their SEVIS record (I-20) to SHSU. Once the transfer is complete, you can check in at the Office of International Programs and receive an SHSU “Continued Attendance” I-20.

What documents do I need to provide to receive my I-20?

• You will be asked to provide the following documents:
  
  • Identification/immigration documents
  • Copy of your passport biographical information form
  • Copy of F1 student visa (for students already inside the U.S.)
  • Copy of all previous I-20s (for students already inside the U.S.)
• Financial documents
  
  • Proof of funds- Your proof of funds should be a bank statement, no more than three months old, showing the availability of liquid assets in the amount listed below and on your I-20.
  • If you have a sponsor, please have them fill out the GEC Sponsor Letter of Financial Support form.

Frequently asked questions:

• Can I submit more than one bank statement? Yes, you can submit multiple bank statements.
• Can my parent/sponsor submit a bank statement on my behalf? Yes, they can. They must fill out the GEC Sponsor Letter of Financial Support form.

Please click on your student type below for instructions on how to receive your SHSU I-20.

• Students currently outside the U.S.

  Step 1

  Submit your identification/immigration documents and proof of funds to your SHSU international student advisor, or to gec@shsu.edu.

  Step 2

  Receive your SHSU “Initial Attendance” I-20 through email and prepare for your F1 student visa interview.

• Students currently inside the U.S.

  Step 1

  Submit your identification/immigration documents and proof of funds to your SHSU international student advisor, or to gec@shsu.edu.

  Step 2

  Complete the SEVIS Record Transfer-In Form and submit it to your international student advisor/DSO at your current institutions. When finished, submit it to gec@shsu.edu. Reminder—If you just completed a program or OPT at your current institution, you must transfer your SEVIS record before the end of your 60-day grace period.

  Step 3

  Check-in at the Global Engagement Center to receive your SHSU “Continued Attendance” I-20.