F-1 Students

F-1 students who are eligible for an extension of program/status must meet the following criteria:

• For F-1 students with an "Admit Until Date" (AUD) of D/S: The I-20 program expiration date must be within 6 months or less of the extension request.
• For F-1 students with a future fixed date on the "Admit Until Date" (AUD): The program expiration date of the AUD on the Form I-94 must be within 6 months or less of the extension request.
• Students who are eligible must submit all documents for an extension request at least one month prior to his or her I-20 or AUD expiration date. The ISSSO does not recommend waiting to request an extension! Waiting is to your detriment.
  • The I-20 expiration date is listed on the I-20. The AUD expiration date is listed on the I-94. Students should work with the ISSSO to determine which expiration date applies to their specific situation.
• The student has continually maintained and is currently maintaining F-1 status. More information on maintaining F-1 status.
• The delay in completion of studies is caused by compelling, substantive academic or medical reasons. Such reasons may include changes in major or thesis/dissertation topic, unexpected research problems, or a documented medical illness. Delays caused by poor grades or academic probation or suspension are not valid reasons for program extension.
• The student is making normal academic progress toward the degree objective listed on the Form I-20. Normal progress is the rate at which the average full-time student in the program of study completes the program requirements.

F-1 students are not in lawful status if their Form I-94 and/or Form I-20 expires.

It is your responsibility to be familiar with the information on your I-20 and I-94 at all times, including the expiration dates. If you will not complete your program objectives before the current expiration date on your I-20 and/or I-94, you must:

• Request an I-20 status extension BEFORE it expires.
• Review the Extension of F-1 Program Policy for more details before applying for an extension.
• After your I-20, I-94, and/or passport expires, you can no longer request an extension. You may be allowed to apply for reinstatement. Or, you may be required to depart the U.S. upon the end of your valid admission to the U.S.

Submitting an extension request to the ISSSO or to USCIS does not guarantee approval of the request or application. 

Please Note: It is highly recommended that you consult with a reputable immigration attorney. 

The ISSS may extend a student’s F-1 status in accordance with the recommendation provided by the student’s academic advisor or in accordance with the student's employment eligibility.

For example, if the academic advisor indicates that a student only has one semester of program requirements remaining, the ISSS will only recommend an extension for one semester. The end date of the extended I-20 will coincide with the last day of finals of the semester in which the extension period will end. The extension approval date is at the discretion of USCIS.

Pending student eligibility and the ISSS approval, second and subsequent extension requests will be recommended in one-semester increments only.

If a student completes their degree program prior to the new, extended I-20 end date, the student’s F-1 status and I-20 will be shortened to reflect the earlier date of program completion. For example, if a student is granted an extension through the Fall 2020 semester but completes their degree in Spring 2020, the student’s I-20 end date will be shortened to the end of the Spring 2020 semester.