On October 12, 2021, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program provided guidance formally adopting use of electronic signatures and transmission for Form I-20. Electronic signatures can be done with software programs or be digitally reproduced. Students should print electronically transmitted forms for visa interviews and arrival at U.S. ports of entry.
New under this guidance:
This new guidance is permanent, i.e., it is no longer just a COVID flexibility. The guidance says: "SEVP has formally adopted the use of electronic signatures and transmission for the Form I-20." This was done in "response to Executive Order 14012, 'Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans," in which "SEVP identified recommendations to increase efficiency in the immigration system and reduce unnecessary burdens."
Schools may "transmit the Form I-20 visa secure platform, such as a school portal or other secure site, to F and M students and their dependents." Under the original COVID guidance, schools could only "electronically send Forms I-20 to student email addresses listed in SEVIS." It is unclear from the wording of the new Policy Guidance whether schools that choose to email Forms I-20 are limited to the student's email listed in SEVIS.