F-1 Extension Program

U.S. Immigration law allows more time to be granted by UT for a degree program under certain circumstances. Any legitimate academic or medical reason causing delay is acceptable. For example: changing majors, research data being lost or proving inadequate, or changes in degree requirements set by UT all qualify for F-1 extension. However, having been on academic probation, suspension, or not making normal process toward a degree, will not qualify as reasons for a F-1 extension.

When Should You Request an Extension?

In item #5 on the I-20 an expected date of completion is listed. Normally that date will be a month and year designation. You will also see information on an expected report date and an expected length of study, these two items can be ignored in regard to an extension.

Currently regulations say that 30 days before the expected completion date a student may request the extension from UT. For example, if the completion date is May 1999 then any time in April 1999 you may begin the process of requesting an extension.

What Materials do You Need?

Once you determine you need an extension, either download or come to CIE and get the following forms and complete them:

• "Extension Request" form. This is a brown sheet that your academic advisor must sign after they have calculated your new expected date of completion. You should fill in your: name, ID#, major area of study, degree (BS, MA, PhD.,etc), and your phone number.
• I-20 Request Form. You usually complete this form with the receptionist on the 1st floor of CIE. If you bring your old I-20 this will help speed up the process.

You will also need to provide new financial documentation. For example: bank statements and assistantship letters. These documents cannot be more than six months old.

What's The Procedure?

1. Bring the signed "Extension Request," all old I-20's, financial support documents, and current transcript or academic history to CIE. Usually it takes a few days for your new I-20 to be ready.
2. Come back to CIE to sign your new I-20.
3. CIE will inform INS of the extension.

Remember: just picking up the new I-20 does not grant the extension. It must be processed by CIE with INS.

Traveling and Receiving an Extension

If you exit the U.S. before the expected completion date and re-enter before 5 months pass, then a slightly different process is followed with INS.

If you travel the extension is accomplished at the border when you re-enter the U.S. No I-538 is needed. You obtain the new I-20 in the same manner as indicated earlier. The only difference is no I-538. The new I-20 must be marked for an "extension" and "continued attendance." You re-enter the U.S. on the new I-20 and return to school. No extra procedure is required at the border.

Quick Checklist

• Obtain an I-20 Request Form, & Extension Request Form from CIE.
• Have your academic advisor complete and sign the Extension Request Form.
• Take the Extension Request Form and the I-20 Request Form to CIE.
• Return to CIE a current transcript or academic history, the new I-20, and all previous I-20s.