1. Contact your academic department advisor to obtain a letter or an email which verifies your expected completion semester.
2. Obtain a new bank statement/letter or financial guarantee that covers the amount needed for your extension.
   1. Document must be in English and no more than 6 months old. See the below chart for the amounts required for extension. 
3. Complete I-20 Program Extension Request 
4. Allow 10 business days (weekends and holidays are excluded) for ISSO processing
5. Check your CPP email 
   1. Approval is not automatic; federal government regulations about extensions are strict.
   2. If approved, you will receive an I-20 with new program end date via CPP email. 

Approximate Costs

A spouse requires an additional $5000 and a child an additional $3000 of support.

One year extension:

One semester extension:

Your host department must extend your academic appointment and submit a request for an extension of the DS-2019 to the ISSO. If CPP is not your program sponsor (the agency that issued your DS-2019), contact your program sponsor for instructions on initiating an extension request.

When To Apply

Your DS-2019 must be extended before your current expiration date. The request should be submitted to the ISSO at least 30 days prior to the expiration of the DS-2019. You must initiate a request with your department as soon as possible.

Maximum Periods of Stay

• J-1 RESEARCH SCHOLAR/PROFESSOR: 5 Years
• J-1 SHORT-TERM SCHOLAR: 6 Months

DS-2019 Extensions and Your Visa

An extension of your DS-2019 means that your J-1 immigration status has been extended. You are allowed to stay legally in the U.S. until the end date of the new document, or until your program is completed, whichever is earlier. Extending the DS-2019 (your J-1 status) does not automatically extend the validity of the visa stamp in your passport. A valid visa stamp is not needed while you are in the U.S.; however, if you leave the U.S. and wish to re-enter in J-1 status, you may need to apply for a new visa stamp in your passport.

Be sure to provide a photocopy of your extended DS-2019 to your hiring department for update of the CPP Payroll system.

Your I-20 remains valid even after your program completion if your International Student Advisor has endorsed page 3 for OPT and you have submitted your OPT application to USCIS. Your SEVIS record remains active and you do not need to extend your I-20 to match the end date on your EAD card.

You will still need a travel signature every six months if you plan to travel outside of the U.S. and will return to resume employment. A letter of employment is needed when you travel.