Extension of Stay for F-1 Non-immigrant Status

Program Extension

F-1 students are admitted to the United States for “duration of status” (“D/S”) and must complete their academic program by the completion date on the I-20 or apply for a program extension. Program extensions can be given to students who have continually maintained status and whose completion dates have been delayed due to academic or medical reasons.  Students must apply for a program extension in the 30-day period before the completion date on the I-20; otherwise, the student will be considered out of status and will need to apply for reinstatement.

Acceptable academic delays include:

a.      Change in major field of study,

b.      Change in research topic,

c.      Unexpected research problems,

d.      Lost credits upon transfer to school, or

e.      Insufficient time for average student to complete studies in the particular program. 

Delays caused by medical reasons require documentation.  If the delay is for academic reasons, it is advisable to have documentation from the academic advisor confirming the reason and the expected date of completion. 

Academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons for delay.  Individuals who have not maintained status or who have delays due to academic probation or suspension must apply for reinstatement.

Steps to be taken by the Student

To make an application for a program extension, the student must consult with the international student advisor, fill out the appropriate application, and submit the appropriate documents and fee required by CIS.

Extension of Stay for J-1 Non-immigrant Status

Program Extension

22 CFR 62.43

J-1 students are admitted to the United States for “duration of status” (“D/S”) and must complete their academic program by the completion date on the DS-2019 or apply for a program extension.  Program extensions can be given to students who have continually maintained status and whose completion dates have been delayed due to academic or medical reasons.  Students must apply for a program extension in the 30-day period before the completion date on the DS-2019; otherwise the student will be considered out of status and will need to apply for reinstatement.

The student must provide a financial statement showing s/he has the funds to continue her/his program.

Change of Program for F-1 Non-immigrant Status

Change of Level, Degree, or Major 

The Code of Federal Regulations allows F-1 students to change their levels, degree, or major:

8CFR 214.2(f)(5)(ii)

(ii) Change in educational levels. An F-1 student who continues from one educational level to another is considered to be maintaining status, provided that the transition to the new educational level is accomplished according to transfer procedures outlined in paragraph (f)(8) of this section.

When a student changes degree level or major but remains at the same school, the DSO (designated school official) uses the "notification" procedure to alert CIS of the change.  Students changing from an intensive English language program to an academic program at the same school would follow the same procedure.

Procedures:

When the academic institution finalizes the change of degree, the following steps should be taken:

Change by Notification (Within the United States)

The change-by-notification process is the standard approach to changing academic level, degree, or major.

Change Through Reentry to the United States

Although not included in the regulations, this process is often followed informally with success.

1. Student provides the DSO with new financial guarantee for the new program

2. DSO should issue a new SEVIS I-20. In Section #, check box "e" and type brief explanation "Moving from program to program" or "Changing form (major) to (major)"

3. DSO should make copy of the SEVIS I-20 for school's files.

4. Student signs item #11. If a new visa is required for reentry, student will take the SEVIS I-20 to the U.S. embassy or consulate with financial proof.

5. Student uses new SEVIS I-20 to reenter the United States.

If the INS officer at the port of entry does not take page 1 of the SEVIS I-20, the student should give the SEVIS I-20 to the DSO for processing by notification.
Transfer from One Educational Institute to Another for F-1

Non-immigrant Status

The Code of Federal Regulations allows F-1 students to transfer from one Service approved school to another provided the following procedures are followed:

8 CFR214.2(f)(8)

(8) School transfer—(i)Eligibility.  An F-1 student who is maintaining status may transfer to another Service-approved school by following the notification procedure prescribed in paragraph (f)(8)(i) of this section.  An F-1 student who was not pursuing a full course of study at the school he or she was last authorized to attend is ineligible for school-transfer and must apply for reinstatement under the provisions of paragraph (f)(16) of this section.

(ii) Transfer procedure.  To transfer schools, an F-1 student must first notify the school he or she is attending of the intent to transfer, then obtain a SEVIS I-20, issued in accordance with the provisions of 8 CFR 214.3(k), from the school to which he or she intends to transfer.  The transfer will be effected only if the F-1 student completes the Student Certification portion of the Form SEVIS I-20 and returns the form to a designated school official on campus within 15 days of beginning attendance at the new school.

(iii) Notification.  Upon receipt of the student’s Form SEVIS I-20, the DSO must:

(A)    Note “transfer completed on (date)” on the student’s I-20ID in the space provided for the DSO’s remarks thereby acknowledging the student’s attendance;

(B)    Return the SEVIS I-20 to the student

(C)    Submit the SEVIS I-20 School copy to the Service’s Data Processing Center within 30 days of receipt from the student; and

(D)    Forward a photocopy of the Form SEVIS I-20 School Copy to the school from which the student transferred.