How to Receive a BMCC I-20

The I-20 is a federal immigration document issued by Borough of Manhattan Community College’s International Student Services Office (ISSO). It is required for an F-1 visa or maintaining F-1 immigration status.

To earn your BMCC I-20, we need more information about you and your situation. The following sections of this page outline the information we need from you, and how to provide the information. Everyone’s situation is different, so please read carefully!

When all required documents are submitted and all criteria met, we will process your I-20.

To get started, gather the following documents:

• A photocopy of the biographical page of your passport (the page with your photo, name, date of birth, and expiration date.)
• Copies of all previous U.S. visas

And download and complete these forms:

GDPR Acknowledgement

Acknowledgement Regarding Protection of Personal Data
(Required for all students from EU Countries)

Application for BMCC I-20

Option 1: I will obtain and pay for my own housing.

No additional steps for your BMCC I-20 Application.

Option 2: I will live with a friend or relative for free in the U.S.

To officially document your free housing, you and the person you will live with must complete Section 2, “Room and Board Affidavit,” on the BMCC I-20 Application.

In Step 6, your finances total will be reduced because you do not need to pay for housing. More details below.

Option 1: I will pay for tuition and educational expenses on my own.

Complete Section 1, “Finances,” of the BMCC I-20 Application with your own name and the name of your financial institution and account number.

Option 2: Someone else will pay for my tuition and educational expenses.

A person who pays for school for you is call a “Sponsor.” To officially document your sponsor(s), please complete Section 1, “Finances,” of the Application for a BMCC I-20 with the name(s) of your sponsors and their signatures.

Step 6 gives instructions for how this person or people will demonstrate their ability to support you financially.

Option 1: I am traveling to the U.S. (or am already in the U.S.) on my own.

No additional steps for your BMCC I-20 Application.

Option 2: I am traveling to the U.S. (or am already in the U.S.) with a spouse and/or children.

For each family member who will accompany you, you must complete an application for an F-2 Dependent I-20:

F-2 Dependent Form

For each accompanying family member, you must also demonstrate an additional $15,000 of financial support in Step 6 for their housing and living costs.

This step applies ONLY to students who are currently attending another school in the U.S. — such as a language school or another college. To transfer your SEVIS student record to BMCC,  please submit the following items:

• A Transfer Form signed by a DSO at your most recently attended school. This Transfer Form and your BMCC acceptance email must be submitted to your previous school in order for your SEVIS record to be released to BMCC.
  SEVIS Transfer Form
• Photocopy of your current F-1 visa (or copy of the status approval notification for other visa types)
• Photocopy of most recent I-94 electronic record or card (You can print this from https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home#section)
• Photocopy of all previously-issued I-20 Forms

United States immigration law requires that students seeking an F-1 visa must be able to pay for their studies for the entire duration of their program without seeking paid employment.

You must submit financial documents that show you (or your sponsors, if any) have enough savings or annual income to afford your educational and living expenses.

How much money do you need?

Based on default estimates:

• Paying For Yourself:  $57,056
• Sponsored by Someone Else:  $114,112

Documents to Submit: 

• Self-Sponsored Students:
  • A Bank Statement showing the total required funds. The account must be in your name only, and no one else should have access to the money.
• Sponsors:
  • A) Proof of Income:
    • The Sponsor’s complete signed U.S. annual tax return showing annual income amount. (Page 1&2 from the previous year’s Form 1040 or Form 1040A
      — OR —
    •  Annual income verification from Sponsor’s employer (on company letterhead, stating full name of employee and their salary) AND paystubs from the last three months.
  • B) Proof of Current Finances
    • Sponsor’s bank statements from the past three months with the account holder’s name and account number

All financial document must be dated within the last three months. Scanned or emailed copies are acceptable for the BMCC I-20. However, original documents must be presented to the U.S. Embassy when applying for the F-1 visa.

Forms:

Download, save, and then edit each form that applies to your situation. (If you click the form link and attempt to fill in your browser window, your changes will not save. Please click the link, save the document, and then open your saved copy to supply your information.)

Submitting Information:

As you complete the forms above, email them as PDF attachments to your Designated School Official (DSO). You should have received an email from BMCC introducing you to this person. If you are unsure who your DSO is, please email internationalstudents@bmcc.cuny.edu.

Some steps listed below will require you to attach another document, such as a lease, bank statement, or letter of employment. Scans, high-quality photographs, or PDFs of these items are acceptable. Please submit these as attachments by email.