Extending Your I-20 or DS-2019
The completion date on your I-20 or DS-2019 is an estimate. If you will not complete your program by that date, you must request an extension before your I-20 or DS-2019 expires. The U.S. Immigration regulations require that I-20s and DS-2019s remain valid during the course of study. Students who have applied for graduation and eligibility has been confirmed by the Registrar, will not be granted an extension. The maximum extension period is up to one year.
For an extension, regulations require that the delays are caused by compelling academic or medical reasons, such as changes of major or research topics, unexpected research problems, or documented illnesses. An extension cannot be done for sake of employment or to enroll in additional courses not required for your program.
Application Instructions
Extensions to program dates are not granted until during the semester of your program end date shown on your I-20. An extension of your I-20 should be completed 30 days before the end date listed on the document. If your I-20 expires while you are still a student, you will violate your immigration status.
Complete the I-20/DS-2019 Extension Request and upload the required documentation. You must have the following documents completed prior to submitting the I-20/DS-2019 request.
- Complete Academic/Faculty Advisor Recommendation Form for I-20/DS-2019 extension.
- Provide documentation showing proof of funding dated within the last 6 months for additional time needed to complete your program.
- Examples of acceptable documents include: official personal bank statement, letter on bank stationery signed and dated by a bank official, scholarship letter, or graduate assistantship contract
- Scanned copies of originals are accepted
- Complete the Financial affidavit if family or other individuals are contributing to your education.
If you have a GA, you need to determine the value of your assistantship by adding the amount of tuition and your stipend or pay.
Example: A graduate student with a graduate assistantship from January-May submitting an extension for the spring semester, would calculate the value of their assistantship as:
Amount of tuition for one semester (see proof of funding link above and divide tuition amount by 2)
+ 4.5 months of $950 stipend per month
= Total GA Value
Subtract this value from the overall semester cost (full amount listed on the link above divided by 2) to determine the amount you still need to show.
