ETSU | I-20 and DS-2019

International Enrollment and Services

Overview

All international students on F-1 or J-1 visas will need an I-20 or DS-2019 from ETSU. This webpage contains information on requesting an initial I-20/DS-2019, requesting an extension to a current I-20/DS-2019, and obtaining signatures for traveling abroad.

Please contact International Enrollment and Services at international@etsu.edu or 423-439-8321 if you have any questions about these items.

Requesting an Initial I-20 or DS-2019

All students who intend to study at ETSU on F-1 or J-1 visas will need an I-20 or DS-2019 from ETSU. Please follow the instructions below carefully to request your initial I-20 or DS-2019. In rare circumstance you may need an updated I-20 and those instructions can be found at the bottom of this website.

The deadline to request an I-20 for the fall semester is July 15. The deadline to request an I-20 for the spring semester is November 15. 

  • Step 1: Submit the Intent to Enroll Fee (Undergraduate Students Only)

    STARTING FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR FALL 2025

    The Intent to Enroll Fee is designed to confirm your commitment to attending ETSU. By paying this fee, you are securing your place in our upcoming class of new students and enabling our team to begin preparing the necessary documents and support your arrival. This fee is paid through the application portal after accepting your offer of admission.

  • Step 2: Activate ETSU Account

    The first step towards obtaining an I-20/DS-2019 from ETSU is to activate the student's account. Please visit www.etsu.edu/activate to complete this step. You will need your ETSU E-Number to activate your account and this can be found in your official acceptance letter.


     

  • Step 3: Complete I-20 Request Form

    Students will receive an email that contains a specific link to request an I-20/DS-2019. This link is individual for every student and should not be shared with others. Undergraduate students will receive this email immediately after submitting the Intent to Enroll Fee (STARTING FOR STUDENTS APPLYING FOR FALL 2025). Graduate students will receive the email within a few days of being admitted to ETSU.

    Deadlines
    The deadline to request an I-20 for the fall semester is July 15.
    The deadline to request an I-20 for the spring semester is November 15.

  • Step 4: Upload Financial Documents



    The I-20 Request Form will ask for multiple different documents to be uploaded. Uploading readable, accurate documents will help ensure that the I-20/DS-2019 is processed in a timely manner.

    1) Passport Biographical/Picture Page - Please be sure to include the passport biographical/picture pages for all dependents that you plan to include on your I-20.

    2) Scholarship Award Letters - If you have a scholarship award letter or email, please ensure that it shows the specific dollar amount of the scholarship. Please keep in mind that many ETSU scholarships do not cover the cost of living expenses.

    3) Funding Sources - Uploads must be clearly readable and the amount of funding must meet or exceed the estimated cost of attendance after scholarships.* Acceptable funding sources are described on this website.

    ACCEPTABLE FUNDING SOURCES

    4) Financial Agreement Form - This form will be found within the I-20 Request Link and can also be accessed by clicking here.

    *If the financial document(s) you submit is rejected due to discrepencies, all future submissions must be sent directly from an official bank email address. This ensures the authenticity and integrity of the information provided. 

  • Step 5: Receive I-20 within 2 Weeks

    I-20 and DS-2019 requests are processed in the the order they are received and can take up to two weeks to process if all necessary documents are submitted. Completed I-20's and DS-2019's will be sent to the student by email as soon as they are processed. 

    Please keep in mind that incomplete documents, insufficient proof of funding, or fradulent documents can greatly delay the time it takes to receive an I-20 or DS-2019.

Cost of Attendance - The estimated cost of attendance is for 9 months (fall and spring). Students that do not plan to return home during the summer have the responsibility to ensure they have funding to support themselves during the summer holiday. More information on tuition, fees, and other costs can be found here.

Requesting an I-20 Extension

If you (F-1 or J-1 student) are currently maintaining status and making normal progress toward completing your educational objective, but are unable to complete your course of study by the program end date on the Form I-20/DS-2019, you must apply for a program extension prior to the program end date.

If you are unable to meet the program completion date on the Form I-20/DS-2019, you may be granted an extension by the Designated School Official/Alternate Responsible Officer (DSO/ARO) if the DSO/ARO certifies that the you have continually maintained status and that the delays are caused by compelling academic or medical reasons. This could be due to changes of you major or research topics, unexpected research problems, or documented illnesses. Delays caused by academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons for program extensions.

A DSO/ARO cannot grant a program extension if you did not apply for an extension before the program end date on the Form I-20/DS-2019.To apply for a program extension, please read and follow the instructions on the F-1/J-1 Extension Form

F-1/J-1 Program Extension Form

I-20 Travel Signatures

 

  • Travel Signature Eligibility

    You are eligibile for a new travel signature if:


    • Currently enrolled at ETSU with an active SEVIS record
    • Pending or approved OPT employment authorization

    You are NOT ELIGIBLE for a travel signature if:

    • Your SEVIS record is in terminated or completed status.
    • Your SEVIS record has been transferred to a new institution.
  • Instructions to Request a Travel Signature
    1. Bring your original I-20 or DS-2019 to International Enrollment and Services during normal business hours.
    2. Your DSO will review, sign, and update your I-20 or DS-2019 within 2-3 business days.
    3. You will receive an email to your ETSU email when your I-20 or DS-2019 is ready to b be picked up. The estimated timeframe is 2-3 business days.

    Students who prefer an electronic signature can email their DSO listed on the current I-20 or DS-2019. The DSO will send a new, electronically signed I-20 or DS-2019 in 2-3 business days.

  • Additional Details

    Be sure to print, sign, and carry the hard copy of the I-20 or DS-2019 when traveling. Keep all copies of previous documents and do not throw anything away.


    Please note, if you arrive at a U.S. port of entry and do not have all your signed required documents, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer may deny your entry into the United States. As an alternative, the officer has discretion to issue you a Form I-515A. This document allows you to have temporary admission into the United States for 30 days. To maintain your nonimmigrant student status, you must address your Form I-515A within the time provided to you (within 30-days from the time the I-515A was issued to you). More information regarding the I-515A can be found here.