Extending Your I-20

It is essential to remember that you must take full legal responsibility for maintaining your status with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). That is, you are responsible for finding out, knowing, and following pertinent regulations.

Every semester check your I-20 expiration date. Your I-20 needs to be valid for the duration of your studies in the US. If you find out that your I-20 is going to expire you might be able to extend it. However you may be able to request for an extension of your I-20 only if you:

  • Have maintained your status
  • Have been continually making progress toward your degree
  • Your progress has been delayed due to medical reasons

If your delay is due to you being on continued probation or you failing your courses on several instances, you will not be able to request an I-20 extension.

How to Request an I-20 Extension

  1. Gather the necessary documents

    • A new evidence of financial support. Provide an original letter on official bank letterhead showing that the student (if self-supported) or the sponsor has sufficient funds on deposit to cover tuition and living expenses while in the U.S. The evidence of financial support that you submit must also meet certain financial requirements. For more information on the FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS needed please visit this page.

  2. Complete the online application

    Once you have gathered the required documentation log into your ISP . Complete the I-20 Extension Request application.

    A couple of things to keep in mind:

    Please answer all items as accurately as possible, read instructions carefully and submit all the required documentation. Any incorrect information or documentation that is submitted without following the guidelines correctly will result in your application being delayed.

    Complete all items, if you do not complete all items your request will not be processed. If you have a question regarding an item please email us at ie@mesacc.edu.

  3. Wait until we contact you

    Once you have submitted everything we will review your application. Keep in mind that we will not issue a new I-20 until the end of the semester. After it has been issued we will contact you so that you can come and pick it up at our office.

    We are open:

    Regular Business Hours:
    Mon-Thu: 8 am – 6 pm
    Fri: 10 am – 5 pm
    Closed Sat and Sun

    Extended Business Hours
    (January and August only):
    Mon-Thu: 8 am – 7 pm
    Fri: 8 am – 5 pm
    Closed Sat and Sun

    Summer Semester:
    Mon-Thu: 7 am – 6 pm
    Closed Fri, Sat and Sun

    Time Zone Converter

Once you have received your new I-20 remember to sign it and write the date that you signed it on. Please do not leave the country without your I-20. If you need to leave the country we will need to sign your previous I-20. For that make sure you complete the Travel Signature application.