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Extension of Stay

If you cannot complete your program of study by the end date on your DS-2019 due to compelling academic or medical reasons, you must apply for an extension of stay before your current DS-2019 expires.

DS-2019 Extension Application Timeline Update

With the upcoming change that will require formal extension requests to be filed with USCIS, ISS is temporarily allowing students to apply for I-20/DS-2019 extensions earlier than the semester in which the I-20/DS-2019 document expires. All other extension requirements remain the same.

Extension of Stay Overview

J-1 students are expected to complete all degree requirements by the Program End Date on their DS-2019. If you will not complete your academic program by the Program End Date (section 3) on your current DS-2019 due to compelling academic or medical reasons, you must file for an Extension of Stay and receive a new DS-2019 with a new Program End Date. 

If approved for an Extension of Stay, you will be permitted to remain in the U.S. to complete your degree requirements.

IMPORTANT: You must apply for and receive your new DS-2019 before the program end date on your current DS-2019. 

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for an extension of stay, you must show that:

  • You have maintained J-1 status and continually been a full-time student.
  • You are making normal progress towards completing your course of study.
  • You have sufficient funds to cover the cost of the additional semester(s) (tuition, fees and living expenses for yourself and any J-2 dependents).
  • The delay in completion was caused by compelling academic or medical reasons. For example:
    • Change of major or research topic
    • Unexpected research problems
    • Documented illness (medical documentation required)
    • Adding a major

The following are not valid reasons for a DS-2019 Extension:

  • To enroll in extra courses; to repeat the same course for personal interest; and/or to improve one’s GPA
  • To complete degree requirements that do not require enrollment (i.e. comprehensive exam, finish pending coursework for an incomplete grade, etc.)
  • To address delays due to academic probation or suspension

Application Timeline

We recommend that you submit your application to ISS at least 30–90 days before the Program End Date on your current DS-2019. The earliest you can apply is one semester before the Program End Date on your current DS-2019. 

The maximum length of Extension is 1 year. If more than one year is needed to complete degree requirements, you will need to apply for another Extension in the future.

Your extension request must be submitted and approved by ISS before the Program End Date (section 3) on your current DS-2019. If you apply for an Extension of Stay after the Program End Date on your current DS-2019, your application will be denied. Failure to file a timely application will therefore result in violation of J-1 Status.

Degree Conferral and DS-2019 Program End Date by Term
Final Semester UB Registrar Degree Conferral Date
 DS-2019 Program End Date
Spring June 1 June 1
Summer August 31 August 31
Fall February 1 January 1
Winter February 1 February 1

Application Steps

To apply for a DS-2019 Extension of Stay, follow the directions below:

Discuss Your Academic Plan

Talk to your academic advisor to plan your DS-2019 extension. Creating a academic plan is an important part of extending your stay as a student. Once your plan is confirmed, please ask your advisor to complete the required recommendation form.

Academic Advisor’s Recommendation Form

  • This should be a fillable PDF form. If you cannot edit within your web browser you may need to download the form to access the fillable features.

Update Your Expected Graduation in HUB

When requesting an extension you must also check your HUB record to see if your expected graduation term needs any updates.

In your HUB student center:

  • Click the "Academic Progress" tile
  • Check the "Apply for Graduation" screen
  • If your expected graduation term does not match the new conferral date on your extension request please work with your academic department to update the information. 
    • Undergraduate students: Talk to your academic advisor for details.
    • Graduate students: Talk to your academic department and submit the appropriate form as linked below to the Graduate School.

Graduate Student Forms

The forms needed to update graduation information in HUB may depend on your situation. 

  •  To change an existing expected graduation term in HUB, students must submit the "Change Expected Conferral Date" form.
  • Students who need to change their graduation term but who have exceeded the time limit for degree conferral need to file an “Petition for an Extension of the Time Limit to Complete a Graduate Degree Program” form. 
  • If you need fewer than 12 credits (or 6 credits if summer is your final semester), please be sure to discuss with your academic advisor if you are eligible to apply for Full-Time Certification or if you need a Reduced Course Load to meet the full-time enrollment requirements.

After you submit the form(s), the Graduate School will email you with an update on your request and, if applicable, notification that your HUB record is updated accordingly. For additional details, please consult with your academic department or the Graduate School directly.

FTC vs RCL: What's the Difference?
Full-Time Certification (FTC) Reduced Course Load (RCL)
If you are a graduate student near the end of your program you may be eligible. Contact your department’s graduate coordinator (before the semester begins) to see if you qualify. If you qualify, you will file a form with your academic department and the Graduate School. If you are a J-1 student who meets the eligibility requirements for one of the three types of Reduced Course loads, you may apply for this benefit through ISS.
Graduate Student Forms
Learn more about degree conferral at UB
  • Log in to UB Global by clicking the “LOGIN” button. Enter your UBIT Name and Password. 
  • Click on “J-1 Student Services” and then “DS-2019 Extension of Stay for J-1 Students”.
Find general financial estimates to prepare your request
ISS acceptable financial documentation information

ISS will calculate the total amount of financial support that you must document for an Extension of Stay, depending upon the number of credit hours you need to complete your program and the time you require to finish your program.  

After you submit, an International Student Advisor will review your request. If eligible, you will be issued a new  DS-2019  with a future Program End Date. 

We recommend that you log in to your student HUB center and enroll in the number of credits as described in your advisor’s recommendation form for the upcoming semester (if the enrollment window is open).

Is Summer or Winter Your Final Semester?

As explained on our maintaining J-1 student status page:

  • Summer and Winter term do not require enrollment unless it is your first semester or final semester.
    • Full-time enrollment for Summer is 6 credits. 
    • Full-time enrollment for Winter is 3 credits.    
Log in to MyUB to access HUB and register for classes
Learn about ISS processing times

Important Reminders

  • We cannot guarantee that your information will be entered into the SEVIS system before your Program End Date unless you submit your documents to us at least 10 business days prior to your current DS-2019 Program End Date.
  • Please keep your new DS-2019 and all of your previous DS-2019’s.  Do not throw away your old DS-2019's as they are an important piece of your immigration history!   
  • NOTE: If you apply for a waiver of the Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement (INA 212e), and your waiver is recommended in writing by the U.S. Department of State (“No Objection Statement”) or you receive Form I-612 from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, you are no longer eligible for any J-1 benefits (DS-2019 Extension, Academic Training, SEVIS Transfer, etc.). Therefore, please consult with ISS before applying for the waiver.  Since 212(e) waiver applications can be complex, we also recommend that you seek assistance from an experienced immigration attorney.