F1 Visa Extension: Definition, Cost, Requirements, and Process

An F1 Visa Extension is the process of obtaining permission to prolong your stay in the U.S. as an academic student. An F1 Visa Extension is essential in cases where an international student is unable to complete their program in the U.S. due to compelling academic or medical reasons. The request for an F-1 Visa Extension must be approved by the student’s Designated School Officer (DSO) and filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

An F-1 student must maintain a valid status, Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status), and passport to process an F-1 Visa Extension. A fee of $370 is paid by the F1 student to file the request for USA Visa Extension. Getting approval for an F1 USA Visa Extension allows an international student to finish their program and retain a lawful stay in the US. 

What is F1 Visa Extension?

An F1 Visa Extension is the process of requesting to prolong your stay in the U.S. as an international academic student. An F1 Visa Extension is necessary in cases where international students need additional time to complete their programs in the US.

The F1 Visa Extension must be filed before your course completion date which is indicated in your Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status). Failing to submit an application for an F1 Student Visa Extension before your departure date leads to a loss of status and voids your F1 Visa Stamp. Remaining in the U.S. without a valid F1 status makes your presence unlawful and subjects you to removal or deportation. Unlawful presence in the U.S. for 180 consecutive days bars you from entering the U.S. for 3 years. Unlawful presence for 1 year bars you from entering the U.S. for 10 years.  

Who is Eligible to Apply for F1 Visa Extension?

F1 Student Visa Extension is applicable only in select cases where the reasons for requesting an extension are documented. The following conditions must be met for a student to be eligible for a USA Visa Extension for F1.

• Lawful admittance into the U.S. on an F-1 Visa.
• Maintenance of a valid F1 Visa Stamp.
• No violations of F-1 status or any U.S. law.
• Possession of a valid passport that will remain valid throughout your stay in the US.
• Compelling and acceptable reasons for filing an F1 Visa Extension. 
  • The delay was caused by documented academic reasons such as a change of major or research topic, unexpected research problems, or a documented medical condition. 
  • The extension was submitted with enough time for processing before the I 20 Expiration Date.
  • Sufficient funds to sustain educational and living expenses in the US for the extended stay. 

Below are examples of reasons that are not valid for an I-20 Extension.

• To participate in on- or off-campus research.
• To take additional courses, repeat the same course for personal interest, or improve GPA.
• To participate in non-required Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
• To take a course delayed by engaging in non-required Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
• To complete a grade caused by pending coursework.
• To finish a delayed course caused by academic probation or suspension.

How Much Does an F1 Visa Extension Cost?

The fee for a USA Visa Extension for F1 is $370. The F1 Visa Extension fee is paid when filing Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status). The F1 Visa Extension Cost for filing Form I-539 is payable through a personal check, cashier’s check, money order, or credit card. 

Where to Apply for An F1 Visa Extension?

Form I-539 is filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to extend an F1 Visa. Requests for an F1 Visa Extension are filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Dallas Lockbox through the following.

U.S. Postal Service (USPS)

USCIS

Attn: I-539

P.O. Box 660166

Dallas, TX 75266-0166

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries

USCIS

Attn: I-539 (Box 660166)

2501 S. State Hwy. 121

Business

Suite 400

Lewisville, TX 75067-8003

What are the Documents Needed for an F1 Visa Extension?

You need to collect and submit the following documents to the International Student Office of your school to file for an F-1 Visa Extension.

• A recommendation letter or form filled out by your academic/faculty advisor to extend your I 20 form.
• A copy of your current Form I-20.
• A copy of your most recent Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record).
• Your unofficial transcript.
• Copy of your passport page with your photo, biographical information, and expiration date.
• Financial documentation to prove your capacity to sustain your extended stay in the US together with supporting evidence.
• A signed Affidavit of Support if a family member or sponsor is funding your studies. 

How to Extend F1 Visa?

You need to file for your F-1 Visa Extension at least 1-2 months before your I 20 Expiration Date. Below are the 4 steps you need to accomplish to process a USA Visa Extension for F1. 

1. Inform your Designated School Officer (DSO) and obtain approval to extend your F1 Visa.
2. Complete the required documents for an F-1 Visa Extension.
3. Submit Form I-539 to USCIS and pay the filing fee.
4. Receive the decision regarding your request to extend your F1 Visa. 

Engaging in post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is one way of extending your F1 status. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a type of off-campus employment for F1 Visa holders which can be done during (pre-completion) or after (post-completion) the academic program. The total time for F1 OPT is 12 months and any pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the total duration left for post-completion OPT. You need to obtain your Designated School Officer (DSO)’s permission as well as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS to engage in OPT. F1 students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are eligible for an additional 2 years of OPT for F-1 Visa. 

You are given a grace period of 60 days to depart the U.S. after finishing your OPT unless you are qualified to change status to another U.S. Visa to remain in the U.S. longer. We discuss your options to change status in the USA as an F1 Visa student.

What Should I Do If My F-1 Visa Cannot Be Extended?

Here are your options for remaining in the United States in you are ineligble to extend your F-1 Student Visa.

Change to H-1B Visa from F1 Visa

The most straightforward route to remain in the USA used by most F1 Visa students is getting sponsorship for an H1-B Visa. The H-1B Visa is a non-immigrant visa with dual intent. Employers  petition H-1B Visas for highly educated foreign workers to fill specialty occupations in the United States. You need to possess a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent to qualify for the H1B nonimmigrant category. An initial H1B Visa term of 3 years can be extended once for a total of 6 years. Check out our tutorial on switching from an F1 visa to an H-1B visa. We have a complete guide for you on changing to H-1B Visa from F1 Visa.

Change to EB-5 Visa from F1 Visa

You are able to change your F-1 status and remain in the US by making an investment in a new commercial enterprise that leads to jobs. The EB5 Visa is an immigrant visa that allow you and your dependents to obtain an initial 2-year Conditional Green Card for permanent residency by helping US economic growth through your EB-5 investment. You must invest at least $800,000 in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or $1.05 million to be eligible for an EB5 Visa. We have more information on how you can change to EB-5 Visa from F1 Visa to become a permanent resident in the USA.

Change to Green Card from F1 Visa

Marrying a US citizen is another option for you to change to Green Card from F1 Visa. You are eligible for an IR-1 Visa after your marriage to a U.S. citizen.  The IR-1 Visa allows you to live in the USA as a permanent resident. USCIS requires rigorous documentation of proof of your relationship with your US citizens spouse to get a Green Card from F1 Visa. You must demonstrate that you have been with your spouse for a significant amount of time and show evidence that your union is valid. You’ll need to supply your marriage license, witness statements, wedding photos, and honeymoon or reception receipts.

What are the Advantages of an F1 Visa Extension?

The main advantage of an F1 USA Visa Extension is a prolonged stay in the U.S. primarily to finish your academic studies. You will not have to leave the U.S. if you are able to submit your extension request before your I 20 Expiration Date. An approved F1 Visa Extension allows you to maintain a valid F1 status and therefore lawfully stay in the US.

What are the Disadvantages of an F1 Visa Extension?

The main disadvantage of an F1 Visa Extension is that simply filing a request does not guarantee approval. You need to prove that your grounds for requesting the F1 extension are valid and compelling. You should be in a valid nonimmigrant F1 status and have complete documentation to support your request.  

What Happens When Your F-1 Visa Expires?

The validity of your F1 Visa Stamp is normally enough to cover your whole academic program in the US. In cases where the F1 Visa Stamp expires before you finish your program, you are allowed to remain in the US if your Form I20 is valid. Leaving the U.S. with an expired F1 Visa, however, poses problems when reentering the US. You will need to renew your F-1 Visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. An F1 Visa Renewal has similar steps as when you applied for your initial F-1 Visa.

FAQs about F1 Visa Extension