NIF Frequently Asked Questions (NIF FAQs)

NIF FAQs

Must I complete the Non-Immigrant Form (NIF)?
What does Berkeley International Office require to issue an I-20 or DS-2019?
What documents are accepted as proof of financial support?
How long will it take to issue my I-20 or DS-2019?
How long does it take to receive my I-20 or DS-2019 in the mail?
Can you send my documents through express mail?
How can I make corrections to my NIF Cover Page?
What should I do If I am a fall-admitted student starting early in the summer?

Must I complete the Non-Immigrant Form (NIF)?
All non-immigrant students must complete the NIF as part of their admissions acceptance. This includes students who intend to hold F-1 or J-1 status, as well as other non-immigrant classifications such as E-2, J-2, L-2 and H-4.

If you have already completed the Online NIF and sent in the NIF Cover Page Attachments, you can check the Processing Status of your I-20/DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility request at any time.

What does Berkeley International Office require to issue an I-20 or DS-2019?

1. NIF Cover Page printout http://nif.berkeley.edu
2. Photocopy of your passport biographical page (with full name, photo, and birth date)
3. Proof of sufficient financial support as indicated on your NIF
4. Proof of full-time Summer Session enrollment(only if you are a Fall admit starting in summer requesting an earlier start date on your I-20 or DS-2019)

What documents are accepted as proof of financial support?
For a complete list of acceptable financial documents, see Required Funding Documentation.

How long will it take to issue my I-20 or DS-2019?
It takes about 10 business days (approximately two weeks) from the time Berkeley International Office receives ALL required documents to put your I-20 or DS-2019 in the mail. If there are any missing items, the 10 business day processing time will reset when we receive the missing documents.

How long does it take to receive my I-20 or DS-2019 in the mail?
Regular mail can take 1-3 weeks, depending on your delivery location. We recommend using FedEx courier mail, which will expedite your I-20/DS-2019 delivery time significantly (see FedEx section below for payment methods). If you forgot to pay for FedEx and have indicated it in your Online NIF request, please refer to the FedEx section below.

Can you send my documents through express mail?
Berkeley International Office has daily Federal Express service from our office. If you would like to have your documents sent this way, please see Federal Express Mail Payment Instructions.

How can I make corrections to my NIF Cover Page?
If you need to make corrections after pressing "Submit" on the online NIF application, you may make handwritten changes on the NIF Cover Page printout. Make sure handwritten updates are clear and legible; cross out anything that needs correcting. For example, you may have a different address for I-20/DS-2019 delivery, funding information has changed, you have an earlier transfer date, etc. If you have already sent your NIF to Berkeley International Office, please email NIF@berkeley.edu with the changes you need to make.

What should I do If I am a fall-admitted student starting early in the summer?
If you have decided to start your degree program early by enrolling in the UC Berkeley Summer Session program, you must enroll in full-time units (if summer is your first semester in the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1). You will need to request an I-20 or DS-2019 to cover both summer and fall programs. Follow the steps in the Online NIF form and at our website.


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