Extend Program Completion Date

F-1 students are admitted to the United States for “Duration of Status” (D/S), which means that they may remain in the U.S. for the duration of their program as stated in item 5 on the I-20 “Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant (F-1) Student.”

An F-1 student may be able to get the program completion date on their I-20 extended before it expires, if the student needs additional time to complete their program of study, meets eligibility requirements, and obtains approval in time.

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): 8 CFR 214.2(f)(7)(i)

Reasons for Program Extension Approval Timeline
To be granted a program extension, however, F-1 students must have continuously maintained F-1 status and “the delays must be caused by compelling academic or medical reasons, such as changes of major or research topics, unexpected research problems or documented illnesses. Delays caused by academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons for program extensions” [8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(iv)]. F-1 students must request an extension of stay at least 60 days before their I-20 expires.  You can request your first extension online by completing the I-20 Program Extension Request Form through the ISSS portal. If you need a second or third extension, you must first meet with an ISSS advisor.

Request I-20 Program Extension

You must submit this request at least 60 days before your I-20 expires. If you submit this request on or after your I-20 expiration/completion date, ISSS will not be able to assist you.

  1. Log into your ISSS portal and proceed to Tab 4
  2. Fill out the online request named Program Extension Request Form
  3. Upload your Study Plan (contact your academic advisor if you do not have a copy), updated and signed Declaration of Finances form, and updated Proof of Funding that meets current requirements. Sponsored students, such as those sponsored by SACM, must also provide updated proof of funding, which may require supplemental documentation such as personal funding.
  4. Add your Academic Advisor’s name and email address as the Approver. Your Academic Advisor will need to approve that you require further semester(s) to complete your degree requirements.
  5. Click Submit

Once your Academic Advisor has approved the online request, then ISSS will be able to move forward with reviewing your request for an updated I-20. Please allow up to 10 business days for ISSS to review and process your request. If we have questions or need more information, ISSS will contact you through your Marymount student email account.

 

 

 

 

 

10/04/2024