DHS Proposes Significant Expansion of Data Collected on Forms I-17 and I-20
In an information collection published on September 3, 2025, DHS is seeking OMB approval to significantly expand the data collected through Form I-17, Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Student, and Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F–1 and M-1) Student Status.
Read the notice published at 90 FR 42602 (September 3, 2025). There is a 60-day comment period from September 3, 2025 until November 3, 2025.
Important Note: This information collection notice is separate from the information collection notice and comment period included in the proposed rule to eliminate duration of status.
Here is the language from the Federal Register notice, converted to bullet-point format for ease of reading:
"The Form I-17 will be revised to collect:
- previous school codes associated with the school and/or owner,
- school website links,
- emergency contact information for the school, and
- additional information on school ownership, as well as
- to remove the fax number field, which is now obsolete.
- SEVP will be redesigning the “Program of Study” page on the Form I-17 to better capture:
- the educational level,
- degree,
- program of study,
- time necessary to complete the program,
- assigned Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code, and
- mode of instruction.
- In addition, SEVP will require schools to indicate:
- whether a program of study is conducted predominantly online, in a hybrid or low residency format and
- whether Curricular Practical Training is a component of a program of study.
- Other updates to the Form I-17 will:
- allow DSOs to select “weeks” as an academic term length,
- require DSOs to provide separate numbers for domestic and international students when listing the “Average Annual Number of Students,”
- allow DSOs to list annual costs by program of study or degree level,
- allow DSOs to provide additional contact information,
- require DSOs to indicate whether they work full-time or part- time, and
- change a DSO’s “Title” to “Job Title,” to better collect information on their position at the school."
The Form I-20 will be revised to collect:
- contact and other information on legal Guardians of minor F and M students,
- the date of graduation/degree awarded,
- clarifying details on the source and type of the financial support for the F and M student, as well
- information to indicate whether a student is engaging in:
- online education,
- on-campus employment, and
- whether any employment or training is being conducted on-site or remotely."
Comments
The Federal Register notice contains instructions for submitting comments, and offers the following areas on which DHS is seeking comment:
"Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information should address one or more of the following four points:
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses."