Extension of Stay
If you (F-1 or J-1 student) are currently maintaining status and making normal progress toward completing your educational objective, but are unable to complete your course of study by the program end date on the Form I-20/DS-2019, you must apply for an Extension of Stay with the USCIS.
Your authorized stay in the United States is governed by whichever of the following applies to you:
- If your Form I-94 still says "D/S": You have not yet been issued a fixed Admit Until Date. Your Form I-20/DS-2019 program end date governs when you must take action.
- If your Form I-94 shows a specific Admit Until Date (AUD): Your AUD governs, not your I-20/DS-2019 program end date — even if your I-20/DS-2019 shows a later date
because your program exceeds the federal maximum admission period. This is expected
for longer programs, not an error.
If you are unsure which applies to you, check your Form I-94. If you will not complete your course of study by whichever date governs your status, you must take action before that date to remain in lawful status.
Beginning September 15, 2026, under new DHS regulations, ETSU's Designated School Official/Alternate Responsible
Officer (DSO/ARO) can no longer directly grant a program extension. Instead, the process
works in two steps:
1. DSO/ARO Recommendation: The DSO/ARO will review whether you have continually maintained status and whether
the delay is caused by a compelling academic or medical reason — such as a change
of major or research topic, unexpected research problems, or a documented illness.
If so, the DSO/ARO will recommend a program extension and update your Form I-20/DS-2019
accordingly. Delays caused by academic probation, suspension, or a student's inability
or unwillingness to complete coursework are not acceptable reasons for a program extension.
2. Extension of Stay (EOS) with USCIS: A DSO/ARO recommendation is not the same as an approved extension of your stay. You
must also file an Extension of Stay (EOS) Application directly with U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services (USCIS) before your current program end date expires. Only
USCIS can approve your extension — ETSU cannot extend your authorized stay on its
own.
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When to File:
You may file your EOS Application with USCIS as early as 180 days before your current program end date/Admit Until Date. There is no penalty for filing early — USCIS advises students not to wait until the final weeks before their admission period expires. See the Study in the States FAQ for more information directly from DHS.
You must submit ETSU's Extension of Stay Recommendation Form at least 30 days before your program end date, so there is time for the DSO/ARO review the submission, issue a new Form I-20/DS-2019, and for you to file your EOS Application with USCIS before the program end date on the I-20/DS-2019. You will be required to upload updated financial documentation to the Extension of Stay Recommendation form as these documents will also be included in your application to the USCIS.Graduate Students: After the graduate coordinator completes their section, the form is automatically routed to the Graduate School for review and approval; please plan timelines accordingly.
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What You'll Need to Submit to USCIS
Once your DSO/ARO has recommended a program extension, you are responsible for filing your Extension of Stay (EOS) Application directly with USCIS. Your EOS Application filing package will generally need to include:
- Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
- Your updated Form I-20/DS-2019 reflecting your DSO/ARO's recommendation
- Evidence of sufficient funds to cover your continued studies and living expenses (click here for acceptable financial documentation details)
- Documentation supporting your reason for extension, such as:
- A letter or statement addressing a compelling academic reason (e.g., change in major or research topic, unexpected research problems)
- A letter from a medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed psychologist/therapist for a documented illness or medical condition
- Supporting documentation for exceptional circumstances outside your control
- Biometrics (fingerprints and photo), if required by USCIS
- Applicable USCIS filing fees
Important: If your EOS Application is denied, there is no grace period. You would be required to depart the United States immediately. Please contact your DSO well before your program end date if you have any questions about this process.
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Filing an EOS Application During Your 30-Day Grace Period
If you were unable to file your EOS Application before your program end date, you have a 30-day grace period to do so; however, filing during this window has significant consequences:
- You must stop all employment immediately, including on-campus employment and Curricular Practical Training (CPT). You may not resume any employment until your EOS application is approved.
- Unlike an EOS filed before your program end date, filing during the grace period does
not provide an automatic extension of employment authorization while the application
is pending.
You are still considered to be in a period of authorized stay while your properly filed EOS Application is pending, but this depends on receiving the EOS Application before the 30-day grace period expires. - Do not travel internationally while your EOS Application is pending. Traveling while your EOS Application is under review will generally cause USCIS to consider your application abandoned. If you travel, you would instead need to seek readmission at a U.S. port of entry, where CBP — not USCIS — would determine your admissibility and issue a new Admit Until Date. This is a separate path from the EOS process, not a way to continue it. If you are considering international travel while any application is pending, please contact your DSO before making plans, so we can help you understand your options.
We strongly encourage you to submit your Extension of Stay Recommendation Form at least 30 days before your program end date to avoid needing to file during the grace period at all.
If your EOS Application is still pending with USCIS after your program end date passes, contact your DSO immediately — depending on your situation, you may have limited continued employment authorization while your application is pending, but this is not automatic in all cases and must be confirmed with our office.
Note: If you fall "out of status," you will not have employment benefits (including employment performed under GAs) until an application for "Reinstatement" is made. Please visit this website for more information on applying for reinstatement.