WashU is certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to issue Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status to prospective international students. SEVP is a federal agency within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). International students use the I-20 issued by WashU to apply for F-1 student visa status at U.S. Embassies/Consulates abroad and then study in an approved degree program at WashU.
Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) maintains Form I-17 Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by a Nonimmigrant Student with DHS. The I-17 lists institutional information such as university contacts, accreditations, academic calendar, cost of attendance and demographics. The I-17 must be kept up to date and re-certified every two years. The I-17’s Program of Study section lists degrees available at WashU, programs of study and the time necessary to complete the degree (program length).
If your department is starting a new academic program that is NOT currently listed on the I-17, the department chair or program head must submit the information listed below as soon as the new degree program is submitted to the Office of the Provost for approval. Visit the Office of the Provost Policies page for more information on the New Degree/Certificate Program Development process.
The new program must be adjudicated by DHS before OISS can issue an I-20 for international students to enroll in the program. The process is extensive and typically takes anywhere from a few months to up to a year, and sometimes even longer.