What is The NIF?
The Non-immigrant Information Form (NIF) is
an online application form that gathers information from international students about their status in the U.S. The NIF is also used
to request a "Certificate of Eligibility" I-20 or DS-2019 for those who will have F-1 or J-1 student status while at UC Berkeley.
Who must complete The 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. For more information on these, see Other Visa Classifications.
What is a "Certificate of Eligibility"?
The Certificate of Eligibility is also known as the I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1). This is the document you will need to apply for an F-1 or J-1 student visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy. The visa is required to enter the U.S.
What is "nonimmigrant status"?
Non-immigrant status means that you do not have legal U.S. permanent resident status (green card) or citizenship. Non-immigrant status also means that your stay in the U.S. is temporary and for a specific purpose. See also Nonimmigrant vs. Immigrant Status.
What materials do I need to get started on The NIF?
Gather the following items before you start the NIF:
- Your Student /CalNet ID and PIN/passphrase
- Your Passport
- Your Funding Information (see also Required Documentation for details)
- Family Information (spouse and children, if joining you in the U.S.
- U.S. Immigration information and documents (if you are currently in U.S.)
- Your SEVIS Number and release date (for transfer students only)
How do I access The NIF?
First, you must complete the Statement of Intent to Register (SIR):
- Undergraduates can access the SIR through My Berkeley App
- Graduate students at https://gradadm.berkeley.edu/gradapp/sir.html
- LLM Students submit SIR directly to Boalt School of Law
After completing the SIR, you may need to wait until the following day before you can logon to the NIF at http://nif.berkeley.edu.
What if I have problems accessing The NIF?
If you are unable to access the NIF or have technical difficulties with it, contact the Berkeley International Office office at nif@berkeley.edu. Do not delay completing the NIF. You will need to have plenty of time to schedule an appointment at the U.S. Embassy or consulate to obtain your student visa.
How can I find out about the status of my I-20 or DS-2019?
If you have submitted the NIF online and have mailed us a complete application, Berkeley International Office will send you an email confirmation within three (3) business days after it has been received. If there are any problems with your NIF our office will contact you by email. You should also periodically go back to the NIF Review page by logging into the NIF site again to check the Processing Status of your application. See NIF Processing Status for more information avoiding delays.
Please do not inquire about the status of your I-20 or DS-2019 unless there is a specific problem. Unnecessary inquiries only slow down the processing of your NIF.
When will I receive my UC Berkeley I-20/DS-2019?
it will take approximately two weeks for our office to produce your form I-20 or DS-2019 (this does not include mail delivery time). Your complete application must include:
- Your NIF Cover Page (print out after completing NIF)
- Proof of Funding (see also Required Documentation for details)
- Copy of Passport Bio Page
What if I want to enroll in Summer Sessions classes?
If you are interested in enrolling in Berkeley Summer Sessions prior to your fall program begin date, please see Fall Admits Starting in Summer.