Timely completion of a degree or program is one of the concerns addressed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations. The stated length of study and expected completion date on the initial I-20 used to begin your current degree program at New Jersey Institute of Technology determines whether you must apply for a "Program Extension" to remain in the U.S. to complete your program. Refer to item 5 on your I-20 which reads "...and complete studies not later than   (date)  ." This date is what USCIS will have recorded as your expected completion date.

If you will not be able to complete your current program within the expected completion date, you must file a Program Extension notice with USCIS. If you do not file, or file late, you automatically lose your F-1 student status, and will need to apply for reinstatement.


Eligibility:

1. You must be in lawful F-1 status under the visa supervision of New Jersey Institute of Technology.
   

2. You must have maintained unbroken full-time status for every semester of your current program during which you have been in F-1 status.
   

3. Delays in completing your studies must not be caused by academic probation or suspension.

Deadline:

You must submit your application to the Office of International Students & Faculty (OIS&F) by the date listed on your I-20 as completion of studies.

Procedure:

The complete application includes the following documents:

1. Your I-20.
   

2. Your passport.
   

3.  Financial documentation that you can meet the costs of the additional time needed to complete your program.
   

4. Documentation establishing valid reasons to continue beyond your I-20 time limit:

• An Advisor Form with the new expected date of completion of your program of study, or
•  The letter from OIS&F reflecting approval of your request for a reduced load or medical leave of absence based on a physician’s certification.
  AND
• A letter from you stating valid reasons as to why you need to continue beyond your I-20 time limit. These reasons MUST be reasons beyond your control.

The Office of International Students & Faculty will:

1. Review your application for eligibility.
   

2. Prepare a new I-20 for Extension of Stay.
   

3. Inform USCIS through SEVIS.

You will need to return to the OIS&F to sign and date the completed I-20.


How to Satisfy USCIS Regulations for Program Extension by Traveling Abroad:

If you plan to travel outside the United States within 30 days before the completion date on your original I-20 and re-enter after the original expected completion date, you may fulfill the requirements of Program Extension by going through the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) inspection at the border (often the airport). You must have a new I-20 with specific notation for Program Extension and the new expected completion date. Make sure that your I-20 is stamped by the inspector. This stamp shows that you were legally admitted to the U.S. in F-1 status.