Program Extension

Students unable to complete their academic program before the program end date listed on the I-20/DS-2019, must apply for a program extension. F-1: 8 CFR 214.2(f)(7)(iii), J-1: 22 CFR 62.43. Extensions may be requested as early as six months before the listed program end date; we recommend that you apply for the extension no later than 30 days before the program end date. Extensions are only to complete your major, not your minor.

• Meet with an OISS advisor immediately if your program end date has passed.

Eligibility

• Student must be in valid status and making normal progress towards completing his/her program objective.
• Program extension must be for compelling academic or medical reasons such as:
  • change of major
  • unexpected research problems
  • change in research topic
  • medical circumstance
    • provide a letter of confirmation from a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy or licensed clinical psychologist specifying that you need an extension due to your documented medical circumstance that prevented or will prevent you from completing your studies on time. The letter should not include your diagnosis for privacy purposes and must be on official letterhead and signed and dated by the doctor
  • other compelling academic reason (OISS advisor will review eligibility based on explanation given).
• Delays caused by pursuit of a minor, academic probation, suspension, or financial problems are not acceptable reasons for program extension.
• J-1 students must not have been approved for a waiver of the two-year home residency requirement
  • You are eligible for an extension if the waiver was denied.

How to Apply for a Program Extension

• Review the documents you will need below to have them ready to complete the Program Extension request in your OISS Portal.
• We recommend you speak with your Academic Advisor before starting the request to make sure you are eligible for an extension.
  • You will add your Academic Advisor's information in the Program Extension request for them to get an email to submit a recommendation for you

 

1. Login to the OISS Portal to complete the Program Extension request and get a recommendation from your Academic Advisor.
2. Documents for extension:
   • Exchange students - upload a written approval of the extension from your home institution.
   • Upload a copy of financial support documentation in English for you and your dependent(s), if applicable, issued within the last 3 months showing the total required funds for the requested period of extension.
     • Refer to https://www.unr.edu/oiss/admitted-students/visa/forms for the minimum amount needed to extend for one year
       • If you have dependents - an additional amount is needed for your spouse and each child
       • If you are only extending for one semester, half the minimum amount is needed for you and any dependent(s)
     • Proof of funding is required for summer only extension.
     • If the funding is from a source other than yourself, your sponsor should submit a Financial Data Form along with the financial documentation.
     • Go to Sample GA Letter (http://international.unr.edu/?go=sampleGA) (Word document) for a sample GA offer letter.
   • Extending more than a year from your I-20/DS-2019 end date: submit a program timeline to provide estimated dates and explanation for the requested extension time.
     • Have it signed by you, your major advisor, Graduate Program Director, and Kara Cleveland from the Graduate School.
3. Contact the OISS office to schedule an appointment with an OISS advisor.
4. The OISS advisor will review the documentation and if approved, issue a new I-20/DS-2019 with a new program completion date.

*Note: If you work on-campus, you must take your new I-20/DS-2019 to Human Resources and your employer to notify them of your new program end date to update your employment information. DO NOT leave your original I-20/DS-2019 with them, they may make a copy and you keep the original.