New Students

The New Student Process

ISSS helps international students admitted into an approved full-time program obtain the necessary immigration documents to enter the U.S. Please follow the steps below in order for a smooth transition to Penn. 

Prospective international students: Please see the Penn Admissions website. 

1. Decide on F-1 or J-1 Status

2. Apply For I-20/DS-2019

3. Acquire F-1/J-1 Status

4. Check-In at Penn

New Student Immigration FAQs

I am a newly admitted international student at Penn. How do I get my I-20/DS-2019?

Penn does not automatically issue I-20s or DS-2019s to its admitted students. You must apply for the document on iPenn.

If your application for admission is successful, you will receive an email with instructions to apply for an I-20 or a DS-2019. We encourage you to apply for the I-20/DS-2019 as soon as you receive these instructions.  

If you did not receive the email or you do not have an issued PennID, please notify your Penn admissions office or department. 

I received my PennID from the admission office but cannot log into iPenn to apply for my I-20/DS-2019. What can I do?

If you are not able to login to the online application system, this is most likely because the admission office has not yet uploaded the admission record into iPenn. 

  • Please contact the admission office directly and urge them to inform ISSS of your admission immediately. 
  • If the admission office already uploaded your admission record in iPenn, please verify the date of birth with the admission office. 

What is the normal processing time for ISSS to issue an I-20/DS-2019?

During peak season, the processing time may take up to 3 weeks after we receive your complete application.  

Please note:

  • All required financial documents must be submitted to start the process. 
  • Complete applications will be processed in the order they are received. Regretfully, we cannot expedite your request due to the high volume of applications. 
  • We advise not to set up your visa interview until you receive the document. 

I am a current student in the US. How can I transfer my current F-1 or J-1 record to Penn?

To complete the SEVIS transfer procedure: 

  1. Log into iPenn and fill out the Application for I-20 or DS-2019 e-form. Within the form, answer ”Yes” to the question about SEVIS Transfer and complete the required fields. Upload all required documents and submit the e-form. 
  2. Request a SEVIS transfer-out to your previous institution. Choose a SEVIS release date according to your travel plans and/or employment arrangement. 
  3. Penn does not require Transfer-in Form. Provide following information to your current DSO if requested:
    • Penn’s SEVIS School code:PHI214F00151000 
    • Your Penn DSO: This is your assigned ISSC, as listed on your iPenn homepage. 
    • Email: Your assigned ISSC’s email can be found on your iPenn homepage. 
    • Phone: ISSS main number 215-898-4661 
  4. The I-20/DS-2019 will be created for you once: 
    • ISSS has received your I-20/DS-2019 Application.  
    • Your SEVIS record is released to Penn by your current institution.  
  5. Within 15 days of the program start date listed on your I-20/DS-2019, please complete the arrival form in iPenn. 

Note:

  • In SEVIS, our school name appears as “University of Pennsylvania”. 
  • Our J-1 program number is P-1-00183. 
  • The University of Pennsylvania does not issue F-1 I-20s/J-1 DS-2019s for all programs. Please review the list of programs here. 
  • For F-1 transfer, your program at Penn must begin within 5 months of the end of your previous program. For J-1 transfer, consult ISSS. 
  • If you still have an unexpired F-1 entry visa from your previous program, you may continue to use that visa for travel after you are transferred to Penn. 

I am currently studying at Penn and was admitted to a new program or changed education level. How do I apply for a new I-20/DS-2019?

If you are an F-1 student admitted to a new program at the same or different education level, please use your Pennkey to log into iPenn to complete a new I-20 application e-form. 

Consult your ISSS Advisor:

  • If you are a J-1 student.  There are potential restrictions on changing your major field of study and/or J-1 category. 
  • If you are admitted concurrently to another program and need additional time to complete your studies.  You may be eligible for a program extension. 
  • For any OPT or travel related concerns 

My school’s financial aid office has not yet made a decision about my award. Do I have to wait to apply for the I-20/DS-2019?

If you want to use your award letter as part of your financial proof to obtain the I-20/Ds-2019, you have to wait.  

  • You can still submit the rest of your online application. 
  • Your application will be put on hold until you send us a copy of the award letter. 

While waiting, you might want to explain to the financial aid office that: 

  • You need the award letter to obtain the I-20/DS-2019 from ISSS before scheduling your visa interview with the U.S embassy/consulate.   
  • The processing time for the I- 20/DS-2019 may take up to 3 weeks during the peak season. 
  • It is difficult for you to plan your trip without having the I-20/DS-2019 and the visa 
  • Kindly ask the financial aid office to make a decision at their earliest convenience so you can attend Penn. 

I am returning from a leave of absence. How do I apply for a new I-20/DS-2019?

  1. Review How To Return from an Absence 
  2. Contact your school to get permission to return to the program. 
  3. Use your Pennkey to log into iPenn to complete a new I-20/DS-2019 application.  

Please note: ISSS cannot process your application until your department approves your return and updates your record in Path@Penn. 

How do I check the status of my I-20/DS-2019 application?

After you have submitted your complete application with all required documents, you can check the status of your application in iPenn.  

  • When your document is processed, you will see “I-20 or DS-2019 Status: Created” 

What can I do if my application has taken more than 3 weeks to process?

If your application is complete, please do not upload again. Uploading again will send your application to the end of the queue. 

Please contact ISSS with the following information so we can investigate your case immediately: 

  • Your full name and date of birth or 8-digit PennID number 
  • Indicate whether you are admitted by Penn as an undergraduate, graduate or non-degree student 

How should I upload documents into iPenn?

You can scan or photograph your documents and save as PDF or JPG format. iPenn accepts both formats with the size limit of 3MB.  

If you are having issues uploading the document, try using Firefox browser or reducing the size of your file.

I already received my own I-20/DS-2019 from Penn. How do I request an I-20/DS-2019 for my family who will be traveling with me?

Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old can apply for dependent I-20/DS-2019 in iPenn.

Review the full instructions in the dependents section.