Generally speaking, your non-immigrant visa status can be extended while you are in the U.S. The word "extension" in immigration terms means that you seek to continue engaging in the same activity as a student or a scholar for which you originally came to the U.S. (same school, same lab, same degree program, etc.).

As a student your maximum extension time permissible is determined by your school's academic policy on length of degree programs, with the exception of "non-degree" students who have a limit of 2 years in most cases.

Please note, requesting an extension through the HIO will extend your Harvard-issued visa document (Form I-20 or Form DS-2019), and your permission to remain in the U.S. The visa stamp in your passport will not automatically be extended. If you travel outside of the U.S. after the visa stamp in your passport expires, you will need to apply for a renewal of your visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country in order to return to the U.S. in status. It is not possible to renew a visa within the U.S.

For more information about extensions and how to request one, check your visa type below.

F-1 Students

Form I-20 Extension

Students who will not complete their degree programs by the date listed on item #5 of their Form I-20 will need to obtain an extension from the HIO BEFORE the current Form I-20 expires. Failure to extend the Form I-20 in a timely fashion will have negative consequences for the student's immigration status, so students should allow sufficient time for the processing of the extension.

In order to be eligible for an extension of the Form I-20, students must be in good standing and making normal academic progress towards completion of their programs.

How to Request an Extension of the Form I-20

To extend an I-20 or DS-2019, students must obtain documentation from their schools/departments indicating the new estimated program completion date, and provide proof that they have sufficient funds for the remainder of their program. Students who are using personal funds should obtain a recent bank statement showing the funds available.

Each School has its own procedure for extending the I-20:

• Graduate School of Design – Submit a Visa document request form to the GSD Registrar’s Office
• Graduate School of Education – Contact the GSE Financial Aid Office
• Harvard Business School - Contact the HBS Registrar's Office
• Harvard Divinity School - Contact the HDS Registrar's Office
• Harvard Kennedy School - Submit a Visa document request form to the HKS Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
• Harvard Law School LLM & SJD – Contact the Graduate Program Office
• HMS Master’s students - Contact your program director
• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – Follow the instructions on the Chan School website
• Harvard College - Follow the instructions on the Harvard College I-20 Request Form
• GSAS - Follow the instructions on the GSAS Visa Document Request Form

If you have questions, please contact your HIO advisor.

Students moving from one Harvard school or program to another within the University should contact both the admissions office of the new school/program and the HIO advisor for that school for information on how to update and extend the Form I-20.

J-1 Students

A J-1 student must apply to the J-1 program sponsor for an extension before the expiration date listed on item #3 of their Form DS-2019 if more time is needed to complete all degree program requirements. Please follow the instructions below on how to request an extension. If a J-1 student is using personal funds, please obtain a recent bank statement.

• Graduate School of Design – Submit a Visa document request form to the GSD Registrar’s Office
• Graduate School of Education – Contact the GSE Financial Aid Office
• Harvard Business School - Contact the HBS Registrar's Office
• Harvard Divinity School - Contact the HDS Registrar's Office
• Harvard Kennedy School - Submit a Visa document request form to the HKS Office of Admissions and Financial Aid
• Harvard Law School LLM & SJD – Contact the Graduate Program Office
• HMS Master’s students - Contact your program director
• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – Follow the instructions on the Chan School website
• GSAS - Follow the instructions on the GSAS Visa Document Request Form