F-1 and J-1 students and dependents are admitted to the United States for a fixed period of time. If you need more time in the U.S. beyond the Admit Until Date on your I-94, you must extend your stay through USCIS or by travel and re-entry.
Pathways to Extend Your Stay
There are two possible ways to extend your stay in the United States. Each option has advantages, disadvantages, and timing considerations. Please consult an ISS advisor before choosing a pathway.
Pathway 1:
Application to USCIS
Process
- Confirm that you need additional time beyond the Admit Until Date on your I-94.
- Submit Form I-539, Application to Extend Status, to USCIS before your authorized stay expires.
- Complete any required biometrics appointment and respond to any USCIS requests.
- If approved, keep the USCIS approval notice and updated I-94 with your immigration documents.
Advantages
- Ability to remain in the U.S. while a timely filed application is pending.
- May avoid the cost and logistics of international travel.
- May be useful if visa appointments or travel are not realistic before your I-94 Admit Until Date.
Disadvantages
- USCIS processing can be slow and may include filing fees and biometrics.
- You must generally remain in the U.S. while the application is pending; departing the U.S. may abandon the application.
- Approval is not guaranteed.
- Employment authorization, practical training, academic training, and dependent status may require individual review while an application is pending.
Pathway 2:
Travel and Re-entry
Process
- Confirm that you need additional time beyond the Admit Until Date on your I-94.
- Work with your academic department and ISS to request an updated I-20 or DS-2019.
- Depart the United States before your authorized stay expires.
- Apply for a new visa if necessary.
- Re-enter the U.S. with valid immigration documents and receive a new I-94 Admit Until Date.
Advantages
- This process may be faster than waiting for a USCIS Extension of Stay decision.
- You may receive a new fixed period of admission at the port of entry.
- You may be able to renew your visa during the same trip if needed.
Disadvantages
- Visa appointment delays, administrative processing, or visa denial may interrupt your return timeline.
- Admission to the U.S. is always determined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the port of entry.
- Travel can be expensive or difficult to coordinate with academic responsibilities.
When You May Need to Extend Your Stay
-
You may need to extend your stay if:
- Your I-94 Admit Until Date is earlier than the time needed to complete your academic program
- Your I-94 Admit Until Date does not cover your period of post-graduation practical training such as OPT or Academic Training.
- You are pursuing a new academic program (Change of Level or SEVIS Transfer) beyond the period of your I-94 Admit Until Date
-
You should plan before:
- Your I-94 Admit Until Date expires.
- Your I-20 or DS-2019 program end date expires.
- Your post-graduation employment authorization expires.
- You make international travel plans.
-
Things to remember
- Your visa expiration date and your I-94 Admit Until Date are different. Your I-94 controls how long you may remain in the United States.
- An updated I-20 or DS-2019 from UW or an issued EAD card from USCIS does not automatically extend your authorized stay in the U.S. beyond the I-94 Admit Until Date.
- ISS can advise on F-1 and J-1 status rules and issue UW immigration documents. ISS cannot guarantee a USCIS or CBP admission decision.
- If you are unsure which pathway is best, consult ISS and consider speaking with an immigration attorney.
Steps to Extend Your Stay
ISS advisors can help you understand the F-1 or J-1 rules and the UW document request process. Please meet with an immigration attorney if you need legal advice about filing with USCIS, travel risks, prior status issues, or how the new rule may affect your full immigration record.
Review the chart above and consider these questions:
- What is the Admit Until Date on your most recent I-94?
- When does your I-20 or DS-2019 or EAD card expire?
- How much additional time do you need in the U.S.?
- Do you have F-2 or J-2 dependents who also need additional time in the U.S.?
- Is it possible for you to travel and re-enter the U.S. before your I-94 Admit Until Date?
- If you travel, will you need to apply for a new visa before returning to the U.S.?
- What are the current USCIS processing times for Form I-539?
- What are the current visa appointment wait times at the U.S. consulate or embassy where you would apply?
ISS will help you:
- Understand whether you need to extend your I-20 or extend your DS-2019.
- Identify what documents may be needed for an Extension of Stay application or travel.
- Understand how your F-1 or J-1 status may be affected while an application is pending or while you are traveling.
Gather documents before you file with USCIS or travel to extend your stay.
The documents you need may depend on whether you are still enrolled in your academic program or participating in post-completion training. ISS can help identify UW documents you may need, but USCIS, U.S. consulates, or U.S. Customs and Border Protection may require additional evidence.
Continuing Students
- An I-20 or DS-2019 with a future program end date. Apply for an I-20 or DS-2019 Extension if necessary.
- Academic department letter explaining why you need additional time.
- Proof of funding for the extended program period.
- Most recent I-94 record.
- Passport valid into the future.
- Current visa stamp, if applicable.
- Copies of current and previous I-20s or DS-2019s.
- Documents for any F-2 or J-2 dependents who also need to extend their stay, if applicable.
Alumni on OPT or STEM OPT
- I-20 showing OPT or STEM OPT recommendation (if OPT is pending).
- EAD card showing approved OPT or STEM OPT (if OPT is approved).
- Form I-797 Notice of Receipt if OPT application is pending with USCIS
- Most recent I-94 record.
- Passport valid into the future.
- Current visa stamp, if applicable.
- Proof of employment or training related to your field of study.
- Copies of current and previous I-20s.
- Documents for any F-2 dependents who also need to extend their stay, if applicable.
Alumni on J-1 Academic Training
- DS-2019 showing Academic Training authorization.
- Academic Training authorization letter, if issued separately.
- Most recent I-94 record.
- Passport valid into the future.
- Current visa stamp, if applicable.
- Proof of Academic Training position or appointment.
- Proof of funding for the Academic Training period.
- Copies of current and previous DS-2019s.
- Documents for any J-2 dependents who also need to extend their stay, if applicable.
Additional documents for USCIS Extension of Stay applications
- Form I-539 and any required supplement forms.
- USCIS filing fee and biometric services fee, if required.
- Evidence of continued enrollment, employment, or training activity.
Additional documents for travel and re-entry
- Valid visa, unless you are exempt from the visa requirement.
- Recent travel signature on your I-20 or DS-2019.
- Evidence of continued enrollment, employment, or training activity.
After reviewing your timeline and gathering documents, choose one pathway to apply for an Extension of Stay: travel and re-entry or filing an application with USCIS.
Option 1: Extend Stay by Application with USCIS
- File Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, with USCIS before your I-20/DS-2019 or EAD End Date.
- Remain in the U.S. while the application is pending unless you have received legal advice about the consequences of travel.
- Respond to any USCIS request for evidence by the deadline listed on the notice.
- Upload the USCIS decision notice to ISS when you receive it.
Option 2: Extend Stay by Travel
- Confirm that you can travel and return before your I-94 Admit Until Date expires.
- Apply for a new visa before returning to the U.S. if necessary.
- Depart the United States before your authorized stay expires.
- Re-enter the U.S. and present your documents to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer.
- After arrival, check your I-94 record immediately to confirm your status and Admit Until Date are correct.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A visa is used to request entry to the United States. Your I-94 Admit Until Date controls how long you may remain in the U.S. after admission. Always check your I-94 after entering the U.S.
No. Under the fixed admission rule, an updated I-20 or DS-2019 from UW may be needed for your Extension of Stay application or travel, but it does not by itself extend your authorized stay beyond the I-94 Admit Until Date.
Yes. The DHS final rule states that a student with a timely filed Extension of Stay application may continue pursuing a full course of study after the admission period expires while USCIS adjudicates the application.
Departing the U.S. while an Extension of Stay application is pending may cause USCIS to treat the application as abandoned. Consult ISS and consider speaking with an immigration attorney before making travel plans.
A denial can have serious immigration consequences. Contact ISS immediately and consult an immigration attorney to understand your options and departure timeline.
An F-2 and J-2 dependent’s status is tied to the primary F-1 or J-1 student’s period of admission. If dependents need additional time in the U.S., include them in your planning early.
Related Resources
Form I-539
Use Form I-539 to apply to USCIS to extend or change nonimmigrant status.
I-94 Record
Check your most recent status and Admit Until Date after each entry to the United States.
USCIS Processing Times
Review estimated USCIS processing times before choosing an Extension of Stay pathway.
Student Legal Services
SLS may be able to discuss the legal process of applying for an Extension of Stay through USCIS.