Required vs. Optional Documents

If you indicated that you will apply for an I-20, your Student Information Form approval email will include instructions on how to proceed. Please log in to Sunapsis and complete all relevant forms found under the "Forms Submission" tab within the "Admissions Checklist."

Forms marked as Required must be completed by all students. Forms marked as Optional should only be completed if they apply to you.

Address Verification (Required)

• All students must provide a foreign home address.
• Only provide a U.S. address if you are currently living in the United States.

Passport Information (Required)

• Provide details exactly as they appear in your most recent passport.
• If your passport is expired, you must renew it before submitting this form.
• By law, you must have a valid, unexpired passport to receive an I-20.
• Enter passport validity dates as month/day/year (note that some passports list the day first).
• Upload a clear copy of your passport’s biographical page (the page with your photo and personal details).

Immigration Information for Those in the U.S. (Optional)

• Complete this form if you are currently in F-1 status, or if you are in another immigration status and will apply to change status within the U.S.
• Do not complete this form if you are in the U.S. on a B-1/B-2 visitor visa or Border Crossing Card. You cannot study in the U.S. as a visitor.

Dependent Spouse & Children (Optional)

• Most F-1 students may bring a spouse and/or dependent children (unmarried, under 21) as F-2 dependents, but must provide proof of additional funding for each dependent.
• Complete this form if your dependents will live in the U.S. with you on F-2 visas.
• If your dependent(s) will not immediately join you, you may apply for dependent I-20s later.
• Complete a separate form for each dependent.
• Border commuter students who live in Mexico during their program are not eligible to have F-2 dependents.

Application for PASE (Required for Mexican Students Only)

• Mexican students applying for the PASE program must complete this application.
• You may attend a virtual PASE information session  or carefully read the instructions within the application for guidance.

Confirmation of Financial Resources (CFR) (Required)

• All students must complete this form to provide evidence of their ability to pay for college.
• Full instructions are available on the CFR page . LINK AGE

Forms Submission Complete (Required)

• Submit this form once you have finished and clicked "Submit" on all applicable forms and uploaded all necessary documents.
• Submitting this form notifies OIP that your application packet is complete and ready for review.

SEVIS Transfer-In Request (Optional)

• Students with an active SEVIS record at another U.S. school must submit this form to request a transfer of their SEVIS record to UTEP.
• This form is separate from the Admissions Checklist and can be found under the "Admission" tab on the left side of your Sunapsis profile.
• You may submit this form before completing the other forms above, but no later than the same date you finish your other applications.
• Do not submit this form if you already have an active SEVIS record with UTEP.

Once you have completed all required forms and any optional forms that apply to you, your application will be assigned to an OIP advisor for review.

An advisor will contact you by email if additional information or documentation is needed. This message may come from global@utep.edu or directly from an OIP advisor.

Because the I-20 creation process involves multiple detailed steps, please allow sufficient time for our office to complete the review. If you do not receive an update within 10 full business days after submitting the Forms Submission Complete e-form, you may follow up by emailing global@utep.edu.

i-20 issuance

After you submit all required documentation, an OIP advisor will create your I-20 in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Once your I-20 is ready, you will receive an email with further instructions.

Electronic I-20:

• Attached to the I-20 approval email, you will find your I-20.

• As per current regulations set by the Department of Homeland Security, electronic I-20's are acceptable.

• You will be required to print IN COLOR, sign, and date the I-20 to validate it. 

IMPORTANT NOTE:

• In most cases, the I-20 can only be released to the  F-1 student directly or the student’s  F-2 dependent.

• Students  under 18 may authorize a parent to pick up the I-20. Please email  global@utep.edu for authorization instructions.

For students already in F-1 status with an active SEVIS record:

• Report your arrival to OIP through the Sunapsis portal.

F-1 Visa Application Instructions

Students who need to obtain an F-1 visa must complete Form DS-160 through the U.S. Department of State and attend an interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad. For detailed information about the visa application process, visit: Study & Exchange

For information regarding the SEVIS fee payment, please visit: I-901 Fee

Evidence of Nonimmigrant Intent

The visa officer may request proof that you intend to return to your home country after completing your studies. Evidence can include:

• Property, assets, or businesses you own in your home country
• Bank or financial accounts that will remain open
• Close family members who will stay in your home country
• Job offers or opportunities in your home country after program completion

Evidence of Financial Resources

The visa officer will also require evidence that you can cover tuition and living expenses in the U.S. Bring all financial documents you submitted with the Confirmation of Financial Resources (CFR), including:

• Assistantship offers
• Scholarship letters
• Financial statements
• Sponsorship confirmations

Important Note

Most F-1 visa denials occur due to:

• Lack of evidence of nonimmigrant intent — the visa officer is not convinced that the applicant will return home after completing the program.
• Lack of evidence of financial resources — the visa officer is not convinced that the student has sufficient funds to live in the U.S.

In addition to providing supporting documents, be prepared to explain why you will return home after your program and how your funding is secured.

• Avoid processing delays - Students who are abroad that need an F-1 visa must plan to attend a visa interview at least two to three months before their intended start term. This means they MUST obtain the I-20 at least one month before attending the visa interview.
• Transfer SEVIS record - Students already in the U.S. with an Active SEVIS record (F-1 visa status) MUST request a Transfer of the SEVIS file from the current U.S. school to UTEP, at least one month before classes begin for the new UTEP program. These students can generally begin studying with an expired visa.
• Other Visa Status - Students in the U.S., in another status that does not permit them to study, MUST apply for a change of status to F-1. They cannot begin studying as an F-1 student until the change of status has been approved by USCIS.  A change of status may take 8 months or longer.
• Students who were previously in F-1 status but have a terminated or completed SEVIS record must re-apply for an I-20 and will need to apply for a new F-1 student visa. Students in this situation should consult with an OIP advisor.