Extensions of Legal Status

With the advent of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System and the severe penalties contained therein, it is extremely important for internationals present in the United States to complete extensions of their visa status in a timely manner and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations set forth by the United States Citizenship & Immigration Service (CIS), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security [DHS] and/or the United States Department of State (DOS). Following is pertinent information relating to extensions of F-1 and J-1 status. For information about extensions of other non-immigrant visa statuses (e.g., H-1B1, TN, B-1/B-2), please contact a staff member in the Office of International Student, Faculty, & Staff Services at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions.

F-1 Students

For F-1 students at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, the procedure for requesting an extension is as follows:

  • The student must submit an application for extension, Request for Certification for Non-Immigrant F-1 Visa Status. This form must be completed in full and signed by the Department Chair or an Academic Advisor. The form is available in the Office of International Student, Faculty, & Staff Services.
  • The student and his/her Academic Advisor must each write a brief letter explaining the need for the extension (NOTE: Delays due to academic suspension/probation are not valid. The letter MUST confirm that the student continues to make normal academic progress).
  • The student must provide proof of financial support for the period of time requested in the extension.

The aforemention documents must be submitted to a Designated School Official (DSO) in the Office of International Student, Faculty, & Staff Services. The DSO will review the information and determine the student's eligibility for the extension. If eligible, the student will be issued a new Form I-20 indicating the new expiration date.

Please note that the student must submit the request for extension 90 days prior to the expiration of his/her current Form I-20. If the request is submitted after the expiration date on a student's current Form I-20, the student will be considered "out-of-status" (i.e., "illegal") and will need to apply for reinstatement to the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service. See F-1 Reinstatement Policies & Procedures for information regarding resintatement.

J-1 Students

For F-1 students at The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, the procedure for requesting an extension is as follows:

  • The student must submit an application for extension, Request for Certification for Non-Immigrant F-1 Visa Status. This form must be completed in full and signed by the Department Chair or an Academic Advisor. The form is available in the Office of International Student, Faculty, & Staff Services.
  • The student must provide proof of financial support for the period of time requested in the extension.

The aforemention documents must be submitted to the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) in the Office of International Student, Faculty, & Staff Services. The RO/ARO will review the information and determine the student's/scholar's eligibility for the extension. If eligible, the student/scholar will be issued a new Form DS-2019 indicating the new expiration date.

Please note that the student/scholar MUST submit the request for extension 90 days prior to the expiration of his/her current Form DS-2019. If the request is submitted after the expiration date on a student's/scholar's current Form DS-2019 the student/scholar must contact the OIS immediately.