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Expiration Date of Visa Stamp

The visa stamp in your passport, along with the white I-20 form for F-1 visa holders or the pink DS-2019 form for J-1 visa holders, allows you to apply for entry to the US. You must have a valid visa anytime you make an entry into the US; however, the visa does not have to be valid for you to remain in the US and does not determine the length of time you can remain here. Your visa may expire after you enter the US but this does not affect your length of stay unless you plan to travel outside the U.S. If you wish to re-enter the country and your visa has expired, you must apply for a new entry visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad, except when traveling to Canada and Mexico for less than 30 days.

Duration of Status Notation (D/S) on I-94 Card

Your length of stay in the US is indicated by the duration of status notation (D/S) on your white I-94 departure card, the small white card with date and port of entry information. It is usually stapled opposite the visa stamp inside your passport. As long as you are maintaining your obligations as an international student or scholar and hold a valid I-20 or DS-2019 form, you can remain in the US until the end date on your form, which is item 5 on the I-20 and item 3 on the DS-2019. F-1 students have an additional 12 months of authorized Optional Practical Training, plus 60 days in which to depart the US. J-1 visa holders have 30 days after the end date to depart the US. 

If you wish to remain in the US beyond this period of time, you must apply for an extension of stay.

Extension of Stay for F-1 students

F-1 students may extend their stay to complete the requirements of their educational program. Applications must be made to the International Student Advisor (ISA) in a 30-day period before the end date on the I-20 form. Students are eligible for a program extension if they have been maintaining status and the delay in completion of their program is caused by academic or medical reasons, such as changes or additions to the major or illness. 

Procedures for Applying for Extension of Stay if you will remain in the US:

1. Obtain a form from the ISA to verify your reasons for program extension.

2. Upon completion of the form, obtain a new I-20 from ISA with the extended dates. Keep all old I-20 IDs. 

3. Download the I-538 form from the USCIS website. Complete Section A. Sign and date the form. 

4. Submit the I-538 to the ISA.  

Procedures for Applying for Extension of Stay if you will leave the US:

You can extend your stay by leaving and making a new entry to the US. The procedures are the same as above except you do not need to submit the I-538 form. 

Extension of Stay for J-1 visa holders

J-1 visa holders may extend their stay to continue in the same exchange visitor program as long as they have been maintaining status and the extension does not exceed the limits for their category (3 years for professors and researchers, 2 years for non-degree students and 6 months for short-term scholars).

Procedures for Applying for Extension of Stay if you will remain in the US:

Obtain new DS-2019 form from ISA with the extended dates. If you are applying for an extension to do academic training, you must complete the applications before your form can be extended (see academic training section on immigration page). Keep all old DS-2019 forms.

Procedures for Applying for Extension of Stay if you will leave the US:

Follow the above procedure. Take the white, yellow, and pink copies with you when you travel. At the port of entry, the immigration official will take the white and yellow copies and return the pink copy to you. Keep the pink copy in your passport.

Office of International Education | University of Richmond VA 23173 | Phone 804-289-8836 | Fax 804-289-8904