Your SEVIS ID is unique to you. The United States government uses it to track and manage your immigration record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) throughout your stay in the U.S. It begins with the letter “N” followed by a series of numbers (e.g., N0012345678).
Find your SEVIS ID number in the upper left corner of your I-20 or upper right corner of your DS-2019. It should match the number under “Annotation” on the F-1 or J-1 visa when entering the U.S.
See example images of Form I-20 and Form DS-2019 below.
Think of your SEVIS record like a backpack. It travels with you if you transfer schools or change your education level. As long as your SEVIS record remains active and your studies continue without interruption, your SEVIS ID number will stay the same throughout your time in the U.S.
If you apply to more than one school…
If you apply to more than one school and receive multiple I-20s, each I-20 will have a different SEVIS ID number. You must use the I-20 from the school you plan to attend when applying for your F-1 visa. The visa you receive will be tied to the SEVIS ID number and school listed on that specific I-20. Using the wrong I-20 could result in being denied entry to the U.S. or having to reapply for a visa.
If you discover that the SEVIS ID number on your WashU I-20 does not match the SEVIS ID number on your visa, contact OISS immediately. OISS will help you determine the appropriate next steps, which may include requesting a new visa or updating your documents to ensure smooth entry into the U.S.