Filing for Extension of Stay with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Find your most recent I-94:

• Form I-94 Arrival Record with an Admit Until Date (AUD); or
• If USCIS granted an extension or change of status since your last entry, the end date on Form I-94 at the bottom of the I-797 approval notice.

See the section above to determine if you need to file for EOS with USCIS.

• Contact your supervisor or faculty host to initiate the process up to 6 months in advance of the AUD on Form I-94.
• The HR Business Partner for your host unit must submit a request to ISSS.
• Note that you cannot request an extension beyond the maximum duration for the J category.
• If you are eligible and the request is complete, ISSS will update your SEVIS record and issue Form DS-2019 with a new program end date (PED) within 10 business days.
• You cannot file for EOS with USCIS using Form I-539 until you receive the extended DS-2019.
• Do not wait until the last minute to start the process. USCIS must receive the application by the required date.

After receiving Form DS-2019 with a new PED, submit Form I-539 to USCIS before the AUD. See When to File above.

If you want assistance, you can hire an immigration attorney. See Hiring an Immigration Attorney if you do not have one.

Your application should include:

• Form I-539
• Applicable USCIS filing fee (currently $420 for online filing and $470 for paper filing)
• Note that premium processing is not currently available for Form I-539 applications.
• The extended Form DS-2019 for you and each J-2 dependent*, signed and dated
• Documentation requested by USCIS such as
• Copy of the ID page of the passport for you and each J-2 dependent
• Copy of Form I-94 for you and each J-2 dependent
• Copies of all past Forms DS-2019 for you and each J-2 dependent
• Proof of financial support
• Letter of support from the supervisor or faculty host

*J-2 Dependents: If you do not include J-2 dependents in your Form I-539, they must file their own Form I-539 or depart the U.S. before the AUD and reenter to extend their stay.

1. Continuing program activities including employment
   1. If the EOS is filed on or before 03/18/2027: you can continue program activities and employment to the new program end date.
   2. If the EOS is filed after 03/18/2027: you can continue program activities and employment for 240 days beginning the day after the AUD or to the new program end date, whichever is earlier.
2. Receipt Notice
   1. USCIS will issue a receipt notice, Form I-797, within 1-2 weeks and mail it to the address on Form I-539.
      1. If you do not receive a receipt notice from USCIS and submit your application by mail, contact your bank to obtain a copy of the canceled check you sent to USCIS. The receipt number will be stamped on the back of the check. 
      2. With this receipt number, you can contact customer service at 1-800-375-5283 and request a duplicate receipt
   2. Upload a copy of the receipt notice at MyISSS.
3. Biometrics Appointment: USCIS may send you a notice with a date, time and location for a biometrics appointment.
4. Address Change: If the mailing address you used on Form I-539 changes while the application is pending, you must update the mailing address with USCIS.
   1. Submit the change of address through your  USCIS online account as soon as you move.
   2. Changing your address with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will not change your address with USCIS and USPS will not forward your mail from USCIS. 
5. Case Status: You can monitor the case status here.
6. Case Processing Times:
   1. You can review case processing times here.
   2. If your case is outside normal processing times, there is a tool on the website to determine whether you can request an update.
7. USCIS Response:
   1. Approval
      1. USCIS will issue an approval notice, Form I-797, and mail it to the mailing address you provided.
      2. Note the date on Form I-94 at the bottom of the notice. This is your new authorized period of stay.
      3. Upload a copy of the receipt notice to MyISSS.
   2. Request for Evidence (RFE): If USCIS does not have the information or documents it needs to make a decision, they will mail an RFE to you explaining what they need and a date by which you must respond. If you need assistance, consult an immigration attorney. See Hiring an Immigration Attorney if you do not have one.
   3. Denial or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID)
      1. Consult an immigration attorney if you need assistance. See Hiring an Immigration Attorney if you do not have one.
      2. If you do not challenge the denial or NOID and
         1. your AUD is in the past, you and each J-2 dependent must leave immediately; or
         2. your AUD is in the future, you and each J-2 dependent must leave by the AUD.
      3. Notify ISSS by uploading the notice to MyISSS