Originally Posted by
qfrodo
In actuality. the I-94 arrival/departure form number is recorded on the I-20 (or should/used to be) at time of first entry as a student with the F-1 visa. Subsequent valid entries would thus use the original I-94 number.
Not any more.
My last re-entry was 2.5 years ago and I was asked to use the new I-94 number from the I-94 that I had filled out in-flight. My current I-94 number is not on my I-20 and not the same number as my very 1st I-94 either.
Additionally. the I-20 had to be endorsed by the school each year to indicate the student was still enrolled in full time academic studies.
This is not accurate.
The length of the I-20 is originally issued based on the expected timeframe to complete the degree requirement. As long as the student has no travel plan to leave the country and the I-20 hasn't expired, no yearly endorsement on the I-20 is needed from the school.
However, if the international student needs to travel internationally and the last endorsement on the I-20 has been more than one-year old, a new endorsement is indeed required from the school. It's because each endorsement is only valid for one year. It has nothing to do with full-time enrollment status or not.
I would think the validation of enrollment status (full-time or not) has to do with registration. Students have to register each semester (or quarter) to be enrolled. Since 2001,
SEVIS is used to monitor and track the progress of international students. SEVIS doesn't function on a yearly basis either.