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Is your F-1 program/I-20 end date approaching and you still have academic requirements left to complete your degree?

• If you will not complete your current degree requirements by the end date indicated on your I-20 and you wish to remain in the United States in F-1 status while completing your degree requirements, then you must apply for an F-1 program/I-20 extensionprior to your F-1 program end date.
  • Extensions cannot be granted after your F-1 program end date has passed.

Initial I-20 Extension Requests

Eligibility requirements for an initial I-20 program extension: 

• Continuous maintenance of F-1 status and demonstration of measurable academic progress towards academic degree requirements; and
•  Program completion delay was caused by compelling academic or medical reasons.
  • Acceptable academic reasons for an extension include but are not limited to change of major, change in research topics, unexpected research problems, loss of credits upon school transfer, retaking coursework, and enrollment in coursework that might not count toward major requirements.
  • If there is an academic suspension on the CU academic record in the past, a student must have made measurable academic progress, based on their cumulative GPA since the academic suspension, in order to be eligible for an I-20 program extension.    

Extension for Academic Reason

Important considerations to keep in mind if you are requesting an extension based on an academic reason:

1. An I-20 program extension can only be issued for up to 12 months based on remaining required coursework for the current degree. 
2. An academic agreement will be generated as part of the extension request process.
3. An F-1 program extension is not guaranteed. ISSS will only approve an F-1 program extension if all the F-1 regulatory requirements are met.

Extension for Medical Reason

Important considerations to keep in mind if you are requesting an extension based on a compelling medical reason:

1. An F-1 program/I-20 extension will only be issued for up to a maximum of 12 months total per degree level.
2. Students need to provide supplemental medical documentation to confirm a compelling medical reason.
   • F-1 Extension- Confirmation of Compelling Medical Reason or comparable documentation signed by a medical professional authorized by the F-1 regulations. 
     •  U.S.-licensed Medical Doctor (MD); U.S.-licensed Doctor of Osteopathy (DO); U.S.- licensed Psychiatrist; U.S.-licensed Clinical Psychologist (CP); or U.S.-licensed Psychologist

Additional I-20 Extension Requests

If you are applying for a second or subsequent extension of your F-1 program, you must have demonstrated measurable academic progress by showing an improved cumulative GPA and successful completion of required coursework over the semesters since your first approved F-1 program extension. For dissertation and thesis students, proof of academic progress is supported by an approved Graduate School petition for an extension. 

• Students petitioning for a second F-1 program extension based on ‘compelling medical reasons’ must submit new documentation attesting to the “extreme extenuating circumstances” contributing to the need for an additional F-1 program extension that is signed by a medical professional authorized by the F-1 regulations.
  • U.S.-licensed Medical Doctor (MD); U.S.-licensed Doctor of Osteopathy (DO); U.S.- licensed Psychiatrist; U.S.-licensed Clinical Psychologist (CP); or U.S.-licensed Psychologist
• A third extension request will in most cases be denied due to the F-1 regulatory requirement that a student in F-1 status make normal academic progress toward completing a course of study. Students needing additional time to complete their degree requirements after a second extension request are advised to consult ISSS for alternative options.

Requesting an I-20 Extension

If you need to apply for an I-20 program extension, submit your request and required documentation to ISSS at least two weeks prior to your I-20 program end date.

• Extension of I-20/F-1 Status e-form (available in the MyISSS portal) 
• Proof of funding for extension period
  • e.g., bank statement, affidavit of support; TA/RA appointment letter
• If pursuing an initial I-20 extension due to a "compelling medical reason"
  • Completed F-1 Extension- Confirmation of Compelling Medical Reasonor comparable documentation signed by a medical professional authorized by the F-1 regulations
    • U.S.-licensed Medical Doctor (MD); U.S.-licensed Doctor of Osteopathy (DO); U.S.- licensed Psychiatrist; U.S.-licensed Clinical Psychologist (CP); or U.S.-licensed Psychologist
• If pursuing an additional I-20 extension due to a "compelling medical reason"
  •  New documentation attesting to the “extreme extenuating circumstances” contributing to the need for an additional F-1 program extension that is signed by a medical professional authorized by the F-1 regulations
    • U.S.-licensed Medical Doctor (MD); U.S.-licensed Doctor of Osteopathy (DO); U.S.- licensed Psychiatrist; U.S.-licensed Clinical Psychologist (CP); or U.S.-licensed Psychologist

If the ISSS advising team determines you are eligible for an F-1 program/I-20 extension, ISSS will update your SEVIS record and issue a new I-20 with the extended program end date.

If you have any questions about initiating an extension, contact ISSS.