Program Extension Form (Page 2 of 2) in pdf

PROGRAM EXTENSION FOR F-1

As an F-1 student, you are granted a specific period of time to complete your degree requirements, this period of time

is reflected in Section 5 of your Form I-20. This section indicates your "completion date". If you are unable to finish

your degree requirements by that date, you must apply for a program extension BEFORE your current document

expires.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

To qualify for a program extension, you must meet the following criteria

•

You must have completed a full course load every semester, and otherwise be in valid F-1 status

•

You have compelling and unavoidable academic or medical reasons for needing more time to complete your

program

•

You must apply for a program extension within specified deadlines

•

You must have sufficient funds to cover the remaining time needed to complete your requirements

DEADLINE

In order to maintain your visa status you must apply for an extension no later than 30 days before your current I-20

expires.

Late extension applications cannot be reviewed by the International Student Advisor (ISA); they can only be

reviewed by the U.S. government through the reinstatement application.

PROCEDURE:

If you wish to apply for a program extension, please follow the steps below.

(A) Bring the following documents to the ISA’s office.

•

Your I-20, I-94 card, and passport;

•

Current financial documentation verifying your financial ability ( up to 12 month);

•

“Academic Advisor’s Recommendation” form.

(B) The International Student Advisor will:

• Verify your ability to apply for program extension;

• If eligible, update the Student and Exchange Visitors Information Systems (SEVIS), and prepare a new form I-

20 indicating a new completion date; and

• Give you your new I-20 form.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

You are not eligible for a program extension if any of the following applies:

• you have not been studying on a full-time basis and did not have the ISA’s approval for part-time enrollment

• your need for more time is due to incompletes, withdrawals, or failing grades

• you have engaged in unauthorized employment or committed any other violation of F-1 regulations

• you submit a late request for an extension

If you are ineligible for a program extension due to one of the above reasons, please speak to the ISA about F-1

reinstatement procedures.

The extension procedure will extend your I-20 but not your visa stamp. If you have an expired visa stamp in your

passport, you are permitted to remain in the U.S. with a valid I-20. The next time, however, you travel out of the U.S.

and need to reenter; you will still need to apply for a new visa stamp at a US Consulate prior to your return to the U.S.

Hanan M. Adnan . International Students Advisor/DSO . Tel.. (202) 884-9141 . Fax (202) 884-9123 .

Email:

adnanh@trinitydc.edu

Program Extension Form Page 2

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