November 12, 2021
Written by: Lara Jennings, International Student & Scholar Advisor
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) released several emergency and temporary policy guidance to help schools and F-1 students continue to operate and maintain their status safely during the Pandemic. One of these changes was the ability to sign and transmit I-20’s electronically.
On November 1, 2021, SEVP published new policy guidance that permanently permits designated school officials (DSOs) to electronically sign and transmit the Form I-20 to initial and continuing students and their dependents.
Under this guidance, DSOs may electronically sign all signature fields on the Form I-20. Additionally, school officials may scan and email or electronically transmit the Form I-20 via secure platform (WashU email), such as a school portal or other secure site, to F students and their dependents.
So what does this mean for you as an F-1 student? It means students can continue to benefit from the convenience of receiving I-20’s electronically into the foreseeable future. The benefits of this also drastically reduces