About the Application for Visa Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019)

Congratulations on your admission to Columbia University and welcome to the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) web site for online submission of your Application for Visa Certificate of Eligibility (AVC).

A Certificate of Eligibility is a document issued by the ISSO for an admitted student that is evidence of your eligibility for a non-immigrant student status in the United States. New students who will study in F-1 Student status receive an I-20 form. You must obtain your I-20 form before you may apply for an F-1 entry visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad or a change of status if you are already in the U.S. in another status.

Canadian nationals do not need visas to enter the U.S. but must apply for an I-20 and pay the SEVIS fee.

If you are married and plan to bring your spouse and any children under 21 years of age, they may apply for F-2 visas (dependents of F-1 visa holders), if funding to meet their additional expenses is documented. The amounts for the 2012-2013 Academic Year are U.S. $800 monthly for your spouse and U.S. $400 monthly for each child. Your dependents may join you at any time during your studies.

Couples in relationships not recognized as marriage are not eligible for dependent status. Partners may apply for a B-2 Visitor visa. For information about B-2 status for partners and a link to the U.S. Department of State cable about B-2 for cohabiting partners, see the Domestic Partners section of the ISSO’s web site at http://www.columbia.edu/cu/isso/visa/F-1/F-1_dependents.html

Important

• If you plan to attend one of Columbia's American Language Program (ALP) English for Professional Purposes programs or another ALP English program during the summer before you begin your studies, please tell us the dates of the session you will attend in the Remarks section at the bottom of the online application form. We will issue your I-20 with the earlier start date you need to enter the U.S. in time to study English at ALP. Immigration regulations require you to be a full-time student during your ALP program; part-time study is a violation of F-1 status. You must apply separately to the ALP for your English studies at http://www.ce.columbia.edu/alp/available.cfm?Content=ProgramList Be sure to write the name of the Columbia school you will join on your ALP application and that the ISSO will issue your I-20 form.