The Office of Field Operations (OFO) is making changes to its procedure
for placing admission stamps on Immigration Forms I-20 A-B and I-20 M-N.
In May 2012, USCIS released its new Electronic Immigration System
(ELIS) to electronically adjudicate and manage Form I-539, the
Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.
Before this changeover, when a Service Center approved a Form I-539 for
an F-1 or M-1 nonimmigrant, an approval stamp would be placed on the
accompanying Form I-20 that was mailed to the F or M student. This
process was discontinued with the introduction of ELIS. To avoid
confusion and remain consistent with USCIS standards, OFO is advising
its members in the field to cease stamping Forms I-20 A-B and I-20 M-N
when presented by prospective and returning students seeking admission
to the U.S. All other requirements, OFO asserts, remain in effect.
