International Student and Scholar Services

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Program Extension


  • Review the Academic Advisor’s Recommendation for Program Extension – click here.
  • If you are unable to complete your program of studies by the current expected program completion date in item #5 of Form I-20 or item #3 of Form DS-2019, submit the following documents to International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) no less than 30 days before the current expected program completion date on your Form I-20 or DS-2019:
    • Academic Advisor's Recommendation for Program Extension, completed by your academic advisor.
    • Written explanation from medical doctor if you are requesting a program extension based on a delay caused by illness.
    • Current Forms I-20 and I-94.
    • Proof of funding for yourself (and any F-2 or J-2 dependents on your SEVIS record) for the time for which you are requesting a program extension, i.e., one semester, two semesters, etc.
  • Please note that J-1 students who are participants in a J-1 program other than the University of Miami’s J-1 program must request the program extension from their J-1 program sponsor, not from ISSS.
  • Provided your Academic Advisor Recommendation shows a valid reason, your ISSS advisor will extend your program and issue a new Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 for you (and new Forms I-20 or Forms DS-2019 for your F-2 or J-2 dependents) with an updated program completion date and funding information.
  • Please allow five business days for processing of your application for program extension signature before you collect the your old and new Forms I-20 or DS-2019 and Form I-94 from ISSS.