Requesting an Extension of the I-20 (ISSS Portal)
Students who cannot complete their academic program of study by the program end date may need to request an extension of their I-20 or DS-2019. Extension requests should be submitted to ISSS via the ISSS Portal at least one month prior to the program end date.
Step One: Verify Your Program End Date
Your expected completion date is listed on the I-20 on page 1 in the “Program of Study” section and on the DS-2019 in section 3. This date corresponds to a program end date in SEVIS, and is the last date the student is authorized as a full-time student in their current program. Students who cannot complete their academic program by their program end date must request an extension of their program in order to maintain F-1/J-1 status and continue studying.
Your new program end date must align with the academic calendar and will normally match the final day of final exams for a particular semester. Your program end date also marks the end of your on-campus work authorization.
You must obtain an extension before your I-20/DS-2019 expires. Submit all necessary documentation at least one month prior to the program end date.
Step Two: Obtain Academic Documentation from Academic Advisor
Extensions of the program end date are available only in limited circumstances. To be eligible for an extension, you must be maintaining your current F-1 status and making normal progress towards your educational objective (i.e., the program of study listed on your I-20). Your extension must also be necessary due to a “compelling academic or medical reason.”
What is a compelling academic or medical reason?
Compelling academic reasons might include (but are not limited to):
Changes of research topic
Unexpected research problems or delays
To fulfill degree obligations that are listed in the academic catalog
Documented illness
What is not a compelling academic or medical reason?
Extensions are not available:
when the delay is due to academic probation or suspension
when you have not maintained status or are not making normal academic progress
when you have completed your educational objective or are not able to continue enrollment
to extend your employment
when there is no compelling academic or medical reason.
Discuss your rationale for seeking an I-20 extension with your academic advisor. To proceed with the request, your academic/faculty advisor must write a letter in support of your extension, explaining the circumstances and the reasoning behind the request. You must submit this letter with your request in the ISSS Portal.
The extension recommendation letter must be printed on department letterhead and be signed by the advisor with either a digital signature or a manual/wet signature. Typed signatures will not be accepted.
A sample/template letter is available below.
Step Three: Obtain Financial Documentation for Extension
In order to extend the program end date on your I-20, you must demonstrate that you have the necessary funding for the period of the extension. Your funding must meet the requirements for the current academic year, listed on the ISSS website here: Required Funding for Student Visa Sponsorship | International Student and Scholar Services.
Your funding may come from a variety of sources. You must both explain and document your funding. Specific requirements about your documentation can also be found at the link above.
Please note that your original assistantship award letter is not sufficient for documenting your school funding. You must provide an updated verification letter confirming that your assistantship will continue through the requested period of extension. It should also verify your tuition waiver, health insurance coverage, and the specific amount of your stipend.
Step Four: Complete the Extension Request in the ISSS Portal
Log in to the ISSS Portal with your netID and password. Complete the extension request form and upload the documentation from your academic advisor and your financial information.
When ISSS has approved your request, you will receive an email notification. You will then be able to download the updated I-20 in the ISSS Portal. Instructions for locating and downloading your updated document are available here: https://utkisss.atlassian.net/wiki/x/CgDtf.
Step Five: Take Action on Your Admit Until Date
Per the final rule “Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media” that takes effect on September 15, 2026, international students in F-1 and J-1 status will no longer be admitted to the US for the duration of their non-immigrant status. Under the new rule, students will be admitted for a period of fixed duration as noted on their I-94 document.
Once you have been granted an extension of your I-20 (on or after September 15, 2026), you must also seek an extension of your I-94 admit until date (AUD). This can be completed by submitting an I-539 to USCIS with all necessary documentation or by traveling outside the U.S. and re-entering to make the new end date effective.