To activate your MyLIU Account, you will need:

• Your full name
• LIU ID Number (located on your offer letter)
• Date of Birth (MM/DD/YY)

International students should use their LIU ID Number instead of a Social Security Number to activate their MyLIU Account.

For help:

• MyLIU activation: MyLIU
• Two-Factor Authentication (Duo): Duo Security
• Live Chat with IT: IT Chat

The tuition deposit is non-refundable and compulsory to apply for an I-20. To submit the deposit:

• Go to: my.liu.edu
• Select “Proceed to Login”
• Select “Make an E-Payment”
• Select “International Tuition E-Deposit”
• Select “Term”
• Add the Payment
• Select “Pay Now”
• Select “Checkout”
• Select “Payment Method”

The International Tuition Deposit is non-refundable. However, international students may request a refund of the International Tuition Deposit refund on the basis of a visa refusal from a US Embassy or Consulate. In the event a student is refused their visa by a US Embassy or Consulate, LIU reserves the right to affirm the deposit as non-refundable if the student; fails to submit the International Tuition Deposit Refund Request Form within 60 days of the intended start date, the form is submitted inaccurately, the students payment method on file is no longer active, the student defers their admission to a future start date, or if the student otherwise violates a university policy. Fall semester refunds will be issued on or around December 1. Spring semester refunds will be issued on or around April 15. The deposit is to be refunded back to the credit card where the payment was made. Please continue to monitor your credit card statement on or around the aforementioned dates. Please see the International Tuition Deposit Refund Form to apply for a refund.

To apply for the Fall 2026 or Spring 2027 I-20, visit the LIU Document Portal and upload the required I-20 documents using your MyLIU username and password. If you are unable to access the upload portal, you may email your documents directly to your campus: LIU Brooklyn Campus at bkln-iss@liu.edu or LIU Post Campus at post-iss@liu.edu.

I-20 Requirements:

• Pay the International Tuition Deposit
• Submit the I-20 Application
• Submit a copy of your Passport Identification Page
• Submit Proof of Supporting Financial Documentation
  • Bank statements must be in English and no more than 3 months old from the time of submission.
  • Bank statements or other financial documents must be signed or stamped as official by the bank.
  • Financial documents submitted for I-20 issuance must generally show sufficient liquid funds (such as bank statements, scholarships, official sponsorship letters, or approved student loans). For loans, documents should include the loan approval letter, the amount approved, and the disbursement date.

Are you currently in the US on a F-1 Student Visa?
If yes, then submit the above-mentioned documents and:

• Submit a copy of your current I-20.
• Submit a copy of your current F-1 Student Visa.
• Contact your current university (or school) and request your SEVIS record be transferred to Long Island University. Your current university (or school) will ask for a copy of your LIU offer letter and LIU School Code. The Brooklyn Campus School Code is NYC214F01742004 and the Post Campus School Code is NYC214F01742000.

Are you requesting a F-1 Student Visa waiver based on your current U.S. visa or status?
If yes, email international.admissions@liu.edu a copy of your current visa or USCIS documentation (for example: A-2, E-2, G-4, L-2, H-4, pending permanent residence, DACA, asylum status, etc.). For more information, visit the SEVP Nonimmigrants: Who Can Study Guide.

• Activate or login to your MyLIU Account.
• Click on the Admissions icon.
• Click on "View I-20 Document". A new window will open displaying the I-20. Your I-20 is needed to apply for the F-1 Student visa.

International students should use their LIU ID Number instead of a Social Security Number to activate their MyLIU Account. The LIU ID Number is located on your offer letter. To activate your MyLIU Account, you will need the following information:

• Your full name
• LIU ID number (found on your offer letter)
• Date of birth (MM/DD/YY)

Important: Carefully review your I-20 to make sure all the information is correct, including your name, date of birth, program of study, and start/end dates. If you notice any errors, contact the International Admissions Office immediately so corrections can be made before you use it for your visa application.

With your I-20, you can now schedule your F-1 Student Visa interview by doing the following:

• Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee online at fmjfee.com. You must pay this before visiting the embassy.
• Complete the DS-160 application.
• Schedule your F-1 visa interview at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Many offer online scheduling. Bring your I-20 and SEVIS I-901 receipt to the interview. Gather all other required documents before your appointment.

Note: Citizens of Canada and Bermuda usually do not need a visa to study in the U.S., but they still must have a valid I-20 and pay the SEVIS fee. For more information, see Information for Citizens of Canada and Bermuda. Additional resources for Canadian students are available on the U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites in Canada.

If you have any questions, email international.admissions@liu.edu.

• What is the Form I-20? The Form I-20 is your official invitation to interview at a US embassy for the F-1 Student Visa.
• When can I expect to receive my I-20? Upon successful submission of your I-20 application, your I-20 will be issued electronically in approximately two weeks’ time.
• Is a deposit required to apply for the I-20 and is it refundable? Yes, a $200 deposit is required to apply for the I-20 and the deposit is non-refundable. Students who submit valid proof of a visa refusal from a US embassy or consulate may apply for a refund. Please see the International Tuition Deposit Refund Form to apply for a refund as well as terms and conditions.
• How do I defer my I-20 to the next available start date? If you received an I-20 for a prior semester, you must submit a new I-20 application (with updated financial documentation) for the new semester.
• Can I transfer my SEVIS fee payment from my old I-20 to my new I-20? Yes, if you have already paid SEVIS fees, you may transfer your fee from your old I-20 to your new I-20, see here for more information on how to transfer the SEVIS fee.
• Do student athletes need to submit financial documentation? If your athletic scholarship is less than estimated cost attendance as outlined in the I-20 financial section, then yes, you will be required to submit financial documentation, such as a bank statement, to show the difference in funding. The estimated cost of attendance in the I-20 includes miscellaneous costs such as books & supplies, travel, and health insurance costs that may not be included in your scholarship. Please ensure a copy of your athletic award letter is submitted with your I-20 application.
• I am experiencing visa appointment delays, what can I do? Continue to monitor your nearest US embassy website for appointment availability. Many embassies provide online appointment scheduling. If you have urgent circumstances, you can also contact the embassy to inquire about emergency visa appointment services.
• What if a US embassy denies my student visa? You may reapply for the current start date or a future one. Learn more about visa denials here.
• Who is my LIU point of contact for completing the DS-160? Please use the Designated School Officials name as printed and signed in your I-20. If you are enrolling at LIU Brooklyn campus, the email is bkln-iss@liu.edu and phone number is 718-488-1389. If you are enrolling at LIU Post campus, the email is post-iss@liu.edu and phone number is 516-299-1451.
• Should I review my Form I-20 to ensure that information is correct? Yes, please ensure you Form I-20 is accurate.
• Can I schedule my F‑1 visa interview outside my country of residence? Generally, no. Most applicants must apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country of citizenship or legal residence. Exceptions are limited. Check local wait times and plan accordingly.
• Why is the major listed on my I-20 different from my offer letter? The major on your I-20 may look different because the U.S. government uses CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) codes to standardize program names for visa and immigration purposes. Your university’s program is matched to a CIP code, which may have a slightly different title. This does not affect your actual course of study. You can learn more about CIP codes and their definitions here.
• How can I prepare for my student visa interview? Review NAFSA’s 10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Student Visa and attend an LIU Accepted Student Event.

Visit Travel.State.gov for more information about required documents and how to apply for the student visa.

Spring Semester

• Start issuing I-20s: July 1
• Deadline I: December 10 – for students in regions with embassy wait times of 1 month or more
• Deadline II: January 1 – for all other students outside the U.S.

Fall Semester

• Start issuing I-20s: March 1
• Deadline I: July 15 – for students in regions with embassy wait times of 1 month or more
• Deadline II: August 1 – for all other students outside the U.S.

Exceptions – Who Can Apply After These Deadlines
Students may still apply for admission and an I-20 if they:

• Are already in the U.S.
• Hold a valid F-1 visa
• Have a scheduled embassy appointment
• Can obtain a visa appointment before the add/drop deadline

These deadlines help students and agents plan ahead for visa processing and travel. Visa appointment wait times can be viewed here: U.S. Visa Wait Times.