If your Form I-20 will expire before you are able to complete your degree requirements, you will need to apply for a program extension (I-20 extension). The International Center can extend your I-20 only if you have compelling academic or medical reasons that delayed your ability to complete within the time indicated on your current I-20. Extremely important: You must submit your I-20 extension request to the International Center BEFORE your I-20 expires.
Your I-20 expiration date is the "Program End Date" printed on Page 1 of your I-20. Keep track of your I-20 expiration date - it is your responsibility to ask for more time if you will not finish your program by the date indicated on your I-20.
The International Center can extend your I-20 only if your program completion was delayed due to compelling academic or medical reasons. Acceptable reasons include:
In order to qualify for an extension, you must still have additional required courses to take and/or you need additional time to complete a required thesis, dissertation, or integrative project. Your I-20 cannot be extended if your only reasons for requesting more time are the following:
These reasons are not considered essential to the completion of degree requirements and cannot be used as the basis for an I-20 extension.
In order to ensure that your extension request is approved in a timely manner, meet with an International Center advisor at least ONE month before your I-20 expires.
Earliest date to request an extension: You can make an I-20 extension request at any time it becomes clear that you will need more time to complete your program requirements. The International Center recommends that you meet with an advisor early in the semester before your I-20 expires.
Last date to request an extension: You MUST submit a request to the International Center BEFORE your I-20 expires. Once your I-20 expires, it cannot be extended and you may be required to depart the US.
If your program extension is solely based on the Capstone (thesis) or Ph.D. dissertation extension, you are not eligible to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). However, you may work on-campus (up to 20 hours/week during the semester).
To request an extension of your visa document I-20 or DS-2019 carefully read and follow the instructions below:
Discuss your program progress with the appropriate staff as required by your School/ Program of Study:
Undergraduate Students
If you are an undergraduate student, your eligibility for an extension will be made in close consultation with your Academic Dean.
Graduate Students- School of Arts and Sciences and Engineering, Cummings, and Friedman
Graduate Students- Health Sciences Campus at PHPD, GSBS
Graduate Students- School of Dental Medicine
Graduate Students- Fletcher School
In order to complete the Program Extension Request, you must upload proof of financials for the extended period of study as applicable. For an estimate of Tuition Fees, please review the Annual Estimate of Expenses for your program of study or visit your Tufts School's website. You will be provided with an estimate of living expenses on the online Program Extension Form.
[Note for Fletcher Student] If you request a program extension based on the Capstone Extension (with no remaining courses), you will not be billed for tuition in the extended duration/semester. However, you need to present $1,700 per month as extra living expenses (room, board, and relevant costs to live) along with one of the financial documents described below.
Acceptable Documents and Confirmation of Funds:
Upon receiving approval for an extension from your Advisor or Registrar, please proceed to complete the Program Extension Request via the Request Center on the International Center Portal.
After the International Center receives all of the above-listed information and reviews the materials, we will issue a new I-20 within two weeks.