Admissions & Scholarships
I-20, SEVIS, DS-160, Visa and I-94 Explained on One Page
Five US study documents that are easy to confuse: which the university issues, which you complete yourself, the order they come in, and the small mistakes that cause big problems.
The short answer: the I-20 is the document your university issues to certify you are eligible to enrol. SEVIS is the US government database that holds your record. The DS-160 is the visa application you complete online. The F-1 visa lets you travel to a US port of entry. The I-94 is your arrival record, created once you are in the country.
Five documents in one table
| Document | What it is | Who issues it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-20 | Certificate of eligibility, showing your program, dates and estimated total cost | The university | After admission and financial documents |
| SEVIS ID, I-901 fee | Your record number, printed on the I-20 and starting with N. The I-901 fee goes to the US government | University creates the record; you pay the fee | Before your interview |
| DS-160 | Nonimmigrant visa application | You, online | Before booking your interview |
| F-1 visa | The foil in your passport that lets you seek entry at a US port | The US consulate | After a successful interview |
| I-94 | Electronic record of your entry and how long you may stay | US Customs and Border Protection | When you enter the US |
The order they come in
- Get admitted, submit financial documents, receive your I-20. Check every letter of your name, date of birth and program.
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee at fmjfee.com, at the amount shown there, and print the receipt.
- Complete the DS-160 at ceac.state.gov, matching your passport and I-20 exactly.
- Book and attend your visa interview, with your signed I-20, SEVIS receipt, DS-160 confirmation and academic and financial documents.
- Enter the US no earlier than 30 days before the start date on your I-20. Hand-carry your passport and I-20; don’t check them in.
- Look up your I-94 at i94.cbp.dhs.gov in the first few days, then take your documents to the university’s international office.
Five common misunderstandings
- An I-20 is not a visa. The consulate can still refuse.
- An expired visa does not mean you must leave immediately. F-1 status depends on maintaining your studies and a valid I-20; the visa only needs to be valid when you re-enter. Ask the university before you travel.
- The I-94 is the official record, not the stamp in your passport. If it’s wrong, tell the university at once.
- Not reporting to the university on arrival can get your SEVIS record marked as a no-show.
- One wrong letter on the DS-160 can cause trouble at the interview. Check before you submit.
Common questions
How much are the SEVIS and visa fees? Both are set by the US government and can change. Check the current amount on the official page when you pay, not in an old article.
Can the office help? Yes, for free: I-20 tracking, SEVIS and DS-160 guidance and interview practice. The visa decision belongs to the consulate. See also the glossary.
Next step
Holding your I-20 or about to interview, and want someone to check every document? Book a free one-to-one consultation with the A-State Vietnam Office, or call / message us on Zalo at +84 97 586 1994. The office is run by VNIS Vietnam Co., Ltd, Arkansas State University’s Authorized Recruiter in Vietnam, and charges students and parents no service fee.
