Obtaining your I-20
After acceptance into a program, you will work directly with your program representative to provide all the necessary documents required for OIS to issue your initial I-20. Please note that all admission decisions are made at the departmental level, and OIS has no role in the admission process or decision.
Required Documents
Your program will have you complete several OIS documents, as well as the following personal documents, which will then be submitted by your program to OIS as a complete packet:
- Copy of program acceptance letter provided by academic department
- Copy of the biographic information and expiration page(s) of international student’s passport
- Financial Support Documentation – The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security requires the university to document the student’s ability to pay for the cost of attendance (i.e. tuition, fees, room and board, etc. for one year.) The official Cost of Attendance are on the Office of Veteran Services & Financial Aid’s website. All financial documents must be in English or officially translated into English. Documents must be dated within the last 3 months. Salary statements and/or tax documents are not acceptable.
- Copy of most recent I-94 Arrival Record (if applicable)
- Copies of current and previous U.S. visa stamp (if applicable)
- Copies of all previously issued I-20 forms (if applicable)
OIS will work directly with your program to request any additional paperwork that may be needed to issue your I-20. Once we issue your I-20, we will ship it to you via FedEx or DHL. We will send you an email notifying you that your I-20 has been sent, with tracking information included.
Funding
Not all programs at UT Health San Antonio offer funding support to students. Speak with your program to determine tuition and funding expectations before your program start date. If you are receiving funding and/or a stipend for your program, please review your acceptance letter, as it needs to be in writing. Keep in mind that the F-1 visa category is intended for completing an academic program and includes limited options for employment authorization. F-1 international students are not eligible for federal financial aid.
When submitting financial support documentation, remember to consider the cost of living in San Antonio, compared with other areas of the U.S., but please note that these costs will vary depending on the area or establishment.
Processing Times
After receiving a complete packet from your department, it will take approximately 5-7 business days for OIS to issue your I-20. Please note that if there are any additional documents or support needed, it will extend the processing time.