If you need more time to finish your program beyond the completion date on your Form I-20, you must apply for an Extension of Program before the completion date. We recommend that you apply no less than 30 days prior.

• Eligibility and Requirements
• You must not only be eligible to extend but must do so prior to your I-20 completion date, or you will be out of status and will be required to reinstate before you may continue your studies.
• To qualify, you must
  • be a nonimmigrant currently maintaining student status and are able to, and in good faith intending to, continue maintaining that status for the period in which the extension would be granted
  • be able to show that the delay was caused by compelling academic or medical reasons such as changes of major or research topics, loss of credits upon transfer to BYU, unexpected research problems, or documented illnesses—Delays caused by academic probation or suspension are not acceptable reasons for program extension.
• You may not extend and then immediately take vacation.
• Application Procedure
  1. Department Approval Letter
  • BYU Graduate or Undergraduate Student: Obtain a signed letter from your advisor on department letterhead stating your expected completion date and an explanation as to why it is taking longer to complete your program than the original completion date listed on your Form I-20.
  • ELC Student:
    
  • One Semester: Bring your receipt from the ELC showing proof of payment for your continuation.
  • More Than One Semester: Obtain a signed letter from Anna Bailey stating your eligibility to extend and your new completion date.
  2. Complete a “Request For New Form I-20”—Complete the request either on-line or at International Services.
  3. Proof of Finances—Obtain updated proof of finances if your current documents are more than three months old. This is evidence such as personal bank statements or letter from sponsor/affidavit of support with supporting documentation showing enough financial support for the duration of the requested extension. details
     
  4. Submit Materials—Submit the materials for numbers 1, 2 and 3 to International Services for processing.
  5. New Form I-20—Once the application is approved, International Services will provide you with a new I-20 reflecting the extended date of completion. If you have dependents in F-2 status, they will also be provided new I-20s with your program extension date.