I-20: A U.S. form issued to a foreign student by an American college or vocational school approved by the Department of Homeland Security. It certifies that a student is eligible to apply for a visa and is used for proof of a student’s legal, academic, and employment status in the United States.
F-1 Visa: Issued by the U.S. to a foreign student for full-time academic study. To obtain it, a student must have been accepted by an American college or vocational school and have been issued an I-20 form, be able to pay for his or her education, and show that he or she intends to leave the U.S. after studies are completed.
Sevis: The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System is an Internet database that tracks international students studying and working in the U.S. It is maintained by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State. More than one million records are tracked in Sevis.
Curricular Practical Training: CPT authorizes foreign students to engage in off-campus work, cooperative education, and internships. The work must be considered an integral part of a degree program. A student must maintain full-time status, and an undergraduate must complete a full academic year before receiving CPT.
