F-1 Program Extension

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT

WHAT IS IT?

Immigration regulations require you to file for a program extension when you are not able to complete your program of study by the date that appears on your Hofstra I-20 form. To complete this requirement, you must get a new I-20 form and apply for a program extension any time before your current I-20 form expires. If you have plans to travel home before then, you can simply use your new I-20 form to return.

Never let your I-20 expire! If it expires before you have completed your studies, you will be in violation of F-1 student status. Violations of F-1 student status can have serious penalties.

HOW CAN YOU QUALIFY FOR IT?

If you do not plan to leave the United States before your I-20 form completion date expires, you may qualify for a program extension from USCIS through the Office of Multicultural and International Student Programs. You may qualify for this notification procedure if one of the following caused the delay in completing your program.

1. Important academic reasons, such as: program needs more developmental English than you expected; change in major; change in research topic; or unexpected research problems.
2. Documented medical reason. Attach medical evidence from medical doctor or psychologist on official letterhead that states the nature of the illness and the period of the time you were ill (if not on file with the International Students Office).

A delay due to academic probation or suspension is not an acceptable reason for a program extension according to USCIS regulations. If your delay was caused by one of these reasons, you should make an appointment with an International Student Adviser to discuss applying for reinstatement of F-1 student status.

HOW DO YOU APPLY?

If you think that you qualify for a program extension, make an appointment to see an International Student Adviser to discuss your situation. At your meeting you will get a Program Extension Application to fill out and return to us.

We will then review your application to make sure that you qualify. If we agree that you do, we will recommend that USCIS authorize your extension and will send your application to USCIS for processing.

* Please note that USCIS has increased all application fees. The current fee for OPT is $340.00.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?

After you return your application to the International Students Office, you should expect that it will take about one week for your new I-20 form to be processed. You will be called by our office to come in and sign it. A new I-20 form will be returned to you showing that the procedure has been completed.

YOU CANNOT TRAVEL WITH AN EXPIRED I-20 FORM.

NEVER LET YOUR I-20 EXPIRE!

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