Program Extension
Some students complete their programs in just a few semesters and others may encounter unexpected delays that result in a longer period of study than first anticipated. Each visa certificate (I-20/DS-2019) is issued to students for a particular program of study, level, and time period. Just as a new visa certificate is necessary to change curriculum (major or program) or level of study, a new visa certificate with a new program end date is necessary if the student is not able to complete the program requirements before the program end date listed on the form (Item #5 of the I-20 or Box 3 of the DS-2019). The time period for each level of study at NC State is noted in the SEVIS system and initial documents are generally issued with the following lengths of time: five years for bachelors, three years for a masters, and five years for a doctoral program.
A Program Extension is easy to do and can be done anytime during the semester preceding the program end date on the visa certificate. It is the student’s responsibility to request and make arrangements to obtain the new certificate for a program extension before the current document expires. There is no “grace period” for students who did not do a timely program extension and OIS cannot “backdate” the extension in SEVIS. Failure to extend one’s program and obtain a new Form I-20 (or DS-2019 for J-1s) when necessary is a reportable event in SEVIS and will result in the student being out of status and possibly having to apply for re-instatement.
A Program Extension is requested through the online OIS
HelpDesk system. Students should log onto the system, select program extension,
and submit the “ticket.” An acknowledgement will be emailed to the student with further instructions. The student will need
to reply to the email/ticket and attach:
a) a scanned copy of the funding documentation (bank statement, sponsor
award letter, or departmental award letter); and
b) the program
extension form completed with the academic advisor’s recommendation indicating the reason for the delay
and the new expected completion date.
The OIS advisor responsible for processing program extensions for the student’s particular college will submit the
request to SEVIS after document review and approval. The student will be notified through the
HelpDesk system when the new I-20 or DS-2019 is ready for signature and pick-up.
Required funding amounts are listed on the program extension form
and additional information is given in the HelpDesk acknowledgement email.
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