Form I-20 DS-2019 Guide
In Tracker I-9, the I-9 Manager must take certain steps to properly document an employee who is eligible to work as a foreign national student or exchange visitor. This guide provides an excerpt from published USCIS guidance regarding these hiring scenarios and instructions for how to complete Section 2 in the Tracker I-9 application.
USCIS Guidelines
The USCIS’ Handbook for Employers, Instructions for Completing Form I-9 (M-274) provides the following instructions for what steps employers should take to document J-1 Exchange Visitors and F-1 Nonimmigrant Students who present the Form I-20 or DS-2019. The paragraphs in this section summaries these USCIS guidelines. See pages 13-18 of the current M-274 (4/30/13) for more details.
J-1 Exchange Visitors
The J-1 exchange visitor receives several documents in connection with their program. For Form I-9 purposes, the combination of the following documents is considered a List A document, evidencing both identity and employment authorization:
- The exchange visitor’s unexpired foreign passport.
- Form DS-2019 (J-1 exchange visitors cannot work after the program end date on this form.) Only J-1 exchange visitors may use Form DS-2019 for employment when such employment is part of their program.
- A valid Form I-94 or I-94A indicating J-1 nonimmigrant status.
Nonimmigrant Students
Curricular practical training allows F-1 students to accept paid alternative work/study employment, internships, cooperative education or any other type of required internship or practicum that employers offer through cooperative agreements with the student’s school. The training must be related to the student’s field of study. A student may begin curricular practical training (CPT) after the designated school official has completed Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Students Status, endorsement page.
For Form I-9 purposes, the combination of the following documents is considered a List A document, evidencing both identity and employment authorization:
- The student’s unexpired foreign passport.
- Form I-20 with the Designated School Official’s endorsement for employment on page 3.
- A valid Form I-94 or I-94A, Arrival/Departure Report indicating F-1 nonimmigrant status.
Documenting Forms I-20 or DS-2019 in Tracker I-9
J-1 Exchange Visitors
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to document a J-1 employee who presents the set of documents that evidence both identity and employment authorization.
- In the Tracker I-9 Document Selector, select the Foreign Passport with I-94 or I-94A as the List A Document Type.
- Enter the unexpired foreign passport information and I-94 document information.
- Then click the Additional Documents dropdown.
- Select J-1 Employee (DS-2019) on the Additional Document screen and click the Continue with Selected Document(s).
- Enter the DS-2019 Document # and DS-2019 Expires date.
- Proceed to complete and sign Section 2. Tracker will set the Reverification Due date to the DS- 2019 Expires date.
Foreign Students in F-1 Nonimmigrant Status Participating in Curricular Practical Training
Below are step-by-step instructions for how to document an F-1 employee who qualify to participate in CPT and present the set of documents that evidence both identity and employment authorization.
- In the Tracker I-9 Document Selector, select the Foreign Passport with I-94 or I-94A as the List A Document Type and click Continue with Selected Document(s).
- Enter the unexpired foreign passport information and I-94 document information.
- Then click the Additional Documents dropdown.
- Select F-1/M-1 Employee (Form I-20) on the Additional Document screen and click the Continue with Selected Document(s).
- Select the I-20 Issuing Authority, then enter the I-20 Document # and I-20 Expires date.
- Proceed to complete and sign Section 2. Tracker will set the Reverification Due date Form I-20 Expires date.