Requesting Your Form I-20 or DS-2019

If you plan to study at Stony Brook University as an international student, you must obtain one of the following immigration documents:

Form I-20 for F-1 student status
Form DS-2019 for J-1 student status

You will use this document to:

Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee
Apply for your student visa
Request entry to the United States

After you are academically admitted, Visa and Immigration Services (VIS) will email you instructions and login details for accessVIS, our secure online portal. You will use accessVIS to submit your request for a Form I-20 or DS-2019.

Which document will I receive?

Visa and Immigration Services (VIS) will issue your immigration document based on your program type, eligibility, and funding arrangement. You are not able to choose between F-1 and J-1 status.

For most degree-seeking students, F-1 is the standard status. You will receive a Form I-20 unless you clearly meet the eligibility requirements for J-1 sponsorship.

If you are unsure which status applies to you, review the comparison below for a general overview.

F-1 vs. J-1 Student Visa: What’s the Difference?

	F-1 Student Visa	J-1 Student Visa
Purpose	Academic study in the U.S.	Educational and cultural exchange
Typical Funding	Can be funded by personal, family, scholarship, or other sources	Funded through government funding, foreign home institutional sponsorship, or formal exchange agreements.
Employment	On-campus employment; off-campus work may be possible through CPT or OPT if eligible	On-campus employment with authorization; off-campus work may be possible through Academic Training if eligible
Dependents	F-2 dependents may study part-time, but cannot work	J-2 dependents may apply for work authorization
Health Insurance	Not required by federal F-1 regulations, though the school may require coverage	Required by J-1 federal regulations
Two-Year Home Residency Rule	Usually does not apply	May apply in some cases depending on funding, field, or program
Grace Period	60 days after program completion	30 days after program completion
Flexibility	Generally more flexible for changes in school or program	Must stay within exchange program objectives
Common For	Most degree-seeking international students	Students participating in a formal exchange program or in receipt of qualifying external funding.

Processing Time

VIS can review your request only after you submit all required forms and complete the necessary admission steps.

Typical processing time is 2–3 business days. Processing may take longer during busy periods.

When to Request Your Form

You should begin the process as early as possible. Visa appointment wait times can be long, and starting early increases your chances of receiving your visa in time for the start of the semester.

Fall Admission

Access to request in accessVIS: February 1
Recommended submission deadline: June 15

Spring Admission

Access to request in accessVIS: September 1
Recommended submission deadline: December 1

Summer Admission

Access to request in accessVIS: February 1
Recommended submission deadline: April 15

Requests submitted after the deadline may still be reviewed, but VIS will consider visa appointment availability and arrival timelines when determining eligibility.

Financial Requirement

To receive a Form I-20 or DS-2019, you must show that you have enough financial resources to cover your estimated tuition, fees, and living expenses for your first academic year.

You must upload documentation in accessVIS showing liquid funds such as bank statements, scholarship letters, or sponsorship documentation.

Estimated Annual Expenses

How to Request Your Form

After admission, VIS will email you instructions and your Limited Services PIN. You will use this PIN to log in to accessVIS and begin the request process.

The request process varies slightly depending on your student category.

Step 1: Receive Your Limited Services PIN

After admission, VIS will email you your Limited Services PIN along with instructions for accessing accessVIS.

If you did not receive this email or forgot your PIN, you can request that the system send it to you again.

Step 2: Submit the I-20/DS-2019 Request

In accessVIS, complete the request titled:

“SBU Issued Form I-20/DS-2019 for Undergraduate Students Request.”

You must submit the following forms:

Current Immigration Status
Biographical / Student Information
Address and Mailing Information
Adding F-2 or J-2 Dependents (optional)
Proof of Financial Eligibility

Step 3: Pay Your Tuition Deposit

VIS can review your request only after you submit all required forms and pay your tuition deposit.

If you have questions about paying your deposit, contact International Undergraduate Admissions at: enrollintl@stonybrook.edu

Step 4: Wait for Processing

Once all requirements are complete, VIS will review your request.

If approved, you will receive an email with a secure link to download your Form I-20 or DS-2019.

Step 5: Print and Sign Your Document

After downloading your document:

Print the Form I-20 or DS-2019
Sign the form by hand

You will need this document to:

Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee
Apply for your student visa
Enter the United States

You do not need to return a signed copy to VIS.

Graduate students may begin the request process after academic admission. However, only students cleared by the Graduate School can receive a Form I-20.

If you may receive university funding (for example a Teaching Assistantship or Research Assistantship), you should wait until you receive your funding letter before submitting your request.

Step 1: Receive Your Limited Services PIN

After admission, VIS will email you your Limited Services PIN along with instructions for accessing accessVIS.

Step 2: Submit the I-20/DS-2019 Request

In accessVIS, complete the request titled:

“SBU Issued Form I-20/DS-2019 for Graduate Students Request.”

You must submit the following forms:

Current Immigration Status
Biographical / Student Information
Address and Mailing Information
Adding F-2 or J-2 Dependents (optional)
Proof of Financial Eligibility

Step 3: Accept Your Admission Offer

You must accept your offer of admission in Slate to complete matriculation.

VIS cannot process your request until this step is complete.

Step 4: Wait for Processing

Processing normally takes 2–3 business days after all requirements are met.

If approved, you will receive an email with a secure download link for your document.

Step 5: Print and Sign Your Document

After receiving your Form I-20 or DS-2019:

Print the document
Sign it by hand

You will need the document to:

Pay the SEVIS fee
Apply for your student visa
Enter the United States

You do not need to return the signed copy to VIS.

Step 1: Receive Your Limited Services PIN

After you confirm your participation at Stony Brook University, VIS will email you instructions and your Limited Services PIN.

Step 2: Submit the I-20/DS-2019 Request

In accessVIS, complete the request titled:

“SBU Issued Form I-20/DS-2019 for Non-Degree Students Request.”

Submit the following forms:

Current Immigration Status
Biographical / Student Information
Address and Mailing Information
Adding F-2 or J-2 Dependents (optional)
Proof of Financial Eligibility

Step 3: Wait for Processing

VIS will review your request once all required forms are submitted.

Processing usually takes 2–3 business days, but may take longer during busy periods.

If your request is approved, you will receive an email with instructions for downloading your document from accessVIS.

Step 4: Print and Sign Your Document

After downloading your Form I-20 or DS-2019:

Print the document
Sign it by hand

You will need the document to:

Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee
Apply for a visa (if required)
Enter the United States

You do not need to return the signed copy to VIS.

Need Help?

If you have questions at any step, contact vis@stonybrook.edu