Frequently Asked Questions for Newly Admitted Students

Congratulations from the Office of International Students & Scholars Services (ISSS) on your admission to Stevens!

We look forward to welcoming you to a new semester at Stevens Institute of Technology. Below is a consolidated lost of some common questions that ISSS has received from students. If you have questions regarding Stevens' operations in regards to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, please visit Stevens' COVID-19 Campus Operations and Guidance Webpage. 

Form I-20 Delivery

How will I receive my I-20 from ISSS?

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security currently permits schools to electronically send Form I-20 documents that have been digitally signed by the DSO.

International students who have been admitted to Stevens and have submitted all required documents for issuance of the I-20 form will receive the Form I-20 via email in PDF format. Processing time for the Form I-20 is a minimum of 10 business days from the date documents are received from the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Please note that presenting an electronic copy of your I-20 form from your phone and/or laptop will not at accepted at your visa interview or entry to the U.S. Please review the electronically provided I-20 Form and ensure all details are correct prior to printing and signing the Student Attestation on page 1. Please use this printed form I-20 for your visa interview and entry to the U.S.

I've submitted all of my I-20 Application materials. How long will it take to get my I-20?

I-20s are generally issued within 10 business days of receiving required documents. If additional documentation or information is needed, an ISSS staff member will contact you directly once the review of documents is completed.  When processed the Form I-20 will be forwarded electronically to the email provided on your application.



Visa Related

If my visa was granted after the semester began and I deferred my admission to the following semester, can I still use my visa for entry to the U.S. in the future?

Students may use an unexpired F-1 visa for initial entry in F-1 status if:

  • their initial I-20 issued by Stevens was used to obtain that F-1 visa,

  • admission is deferred to the following semester, and

  • they possess a valid new I-20 along with the unexpired F-1 visa at the time of entry



Online and In Person Courses

Will classes be available online? Can I defer my admittance?

Students who have questions regarding online programs or deferring their program start date to a later semester should contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for more information.




Can I start my program online from home?

Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions to learn about options you may explore. Your I-20 start date, however, will be deferred to a later semester. This is because if you are not in the U.S., then you do not need an active SEVIS record so even though you can start coursework online, you will not have an active SEVIS record.