Request a Form I-20 (F-1) or Form DS-2019 (J-1)

The instructions on this website do not apply to the English Language Center or Law Center.

English Language Center and Law Center Students

July 19 is the final deadline to request an immigration document for August 28 start of classes.

Current Processing Times
  • Form I-20/Form DS-2019 Issuance: Processing begins when all F-1 and J-1 requirements have been uploaded to the International Student Portal.
  • Email OGS for advising after searching this website for easy answers. OGS cannot accommodate phone calls or staff appointments regarding immigration document requests: newinternational@georgetown.edu
    • Attend our final International Student Portal support webinar on July 10.
  • F-1/J-1 Visa: Times vary. Visit this U.S. Department of State website to see the estimated wait for a visa interview and visa issuance at the embassy or consulate where you plan to apply.

Students are invited to the International Student and Scholar Portal one week after submitting their Intent to Enroll or Enrollment Agreement Form and their deposit (if applicable). To activate, students must:

  1. Receive at their Georgetown email* address the invitation from donotreply.studentportal@georgetown.edu with the subject line: Activate Your Georgetown International Student and Scholar Portal Account.
    • Click the link to create their password.
  2. Receive a second email with the subject line: Confirmation Required to Activate Your International Student and Scholar Portal Account.
    • Click the link to log in.

Students who follow this process without success should try these troubleshooting tips.

The most common delays in receiving the first email are:

  • Deposit/confirmation of intent to enroll not yet processed.
  • Email mistakenly filtered into the spam/junk folder.

Students who have waited more than one week for the first email should contact newinternational@georgetown.edu for assistance.

*Note: Georgetown email is a Google application to which access from outside the United States may require a virtual private network (VPN).

Please prepare all required documents before submission.

Every F-1 and J-1 student must use the International Student and Scholar Portal to:

  1. Input their home address in their country of citizenship or legal permanent residence.
  2. Input their family member’s emergency contact information.
  3. Upload required documents.

All applicable sections must be submitted before OGS reviews the case. Please carefully review the instructions in Step 2 to ensure uploads meet requirements. Missing items cause delays.

  • Needs Review: File is in queue.
    • Once reviewed, each file is coded Approved or Declined
  • Each section is coded Complete with email notification when no further documentation is required.
  • Students must monitor their Portal account and Georgetown email for feedback on their uploads.
    • Not Complete: Read feedback and submit further uploads

Please be patient throughout this process. Inquiries about processing times cause delays for all students. All submissions receive equal priority and are processed strictly in the order received. The linked file provides instructions for navigating your Portal account .

Immigration Document Issuance

  • OGS emails Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 to student’s NetID@georgetown.edu inbox.
  • Student prints PDF attachment and physically signs where indicated on lower page 1.

SEVIS Fee & DS-160

  • Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 provides details needed for U.S. government procedures.
  • Reference this guidance for next steps applicable to each situation. 

Resources