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My school is not on the SEVP list. Can I get an F-1?

Schools not certified by SEVP cannot issue the I-20, preventing the F-1 visa; confirm status and seek official information to avoid problems.

Written by

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Updated on November 20, 2025
1 min read
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When planning to study in the United States with an F-1 visa, it is essential that the educational institution be certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This certification allows the school to issue Form I-20, which is required for the F-1 visa process.

If the intended school is not on the SEVP list, it means it has not been approved, preventing the issuance of the form and the visa application. It is crucial to confirm directly with the institution about certification processes or recent updates to their registration.

Until there is official approval, it is not possible to use Form I-20 to obtain the visa. It is recommended to follow the US immigration laws and seek information from official sources, such as the SEVP website, or from immigration specialists, avoiding incorrect information and scams.

Staying informed and relying on trustworthy sources is essential to proceed safely with the immigration process.

Learn more about F-1 Visa

Duration
Duration of studies
OPT (STEM)
Up to 3 years of work
CPT
Work during studies
Processing
2-8 weeks
All about F-1 Visa
Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.

Victoria's tips

My school is not on the SEVP list. Can I get an F-1?

Schools not certified by SEVP cannot issue the I-20, preventing the F-1 visa; confirm status and seek official information to avoid problems.

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