Difference between an I-20 and a F-1 VISA June 9, 2014

F1 visa means a US student’s visa. It is generally issued by the Department of State at an overseas mission/US consulate. An I-20 is a US government form, issued by an accredited/certified/licensed institution of learning, showing that the visa applicant has been found to meet the enrollment and financial requirements of the institution of learning, and has been accepted into one of their programs.
Without an I-20, you cannot apply for an F1 visa, but even with an I-20, an F1 visa is not guaranteed (school enrollment standards are not necessarily the same as Department of State visa issuance standards).

PC TECH I-20 Department.