Immigration & Visas: F-1 Students

• Immigration & Visas
• Visa Information for Newly Admitted Students
• F-1 Student Status
• I-20 Extension
• Changing Visa Status to F-1
• Current students: I-20 to request F-1 status
• Employment in F-1 Status
• Optional Practical Training (OPT)
• New OPT Regulation
• OPT Report Form
• Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
• Are you Graduating Soon?
• Leave of Absence & "In Absentia" registration
• Medical Leave of Absence
• Change in Level or Degree Program
• Transfer of Schools
• Bringing F-2 dependents
• For Departments: I-9 for F-1 student

F-1 Students: Changing Degree Level or Program

If you change your degree level or go on to a new degree program within Cornell University, you MUST obtain a new I-20 from the ISSO NO LATER THAN 60 DAYS after you graduate from the degree program currently listed on your I-20 (unless you have received post-completion OPT**). If you do not obtain the new I-20 before the end of that 60 day grace period, you will in violation of your F-1 status and have to get back in to valid status for your new degree program. [**NOTE: If you have applied for post-completion OPT, then you can be on OPT in between the degree programs, but you will still need to get the new I-20 for your new program no more than 15 days after the start of the new program.]

HOW TO APPLY:

[NOTE: You may only complete this request for your I-20 AFTER you have completed the proper admission procedures with your Graduate Student Services Representative in the Graduate School or Professional school representative.]

1. Download the application here or pick it up at the ISSO.
2. Fill out the top portion of the attached sheet and have your graduate school student services representative or Professional school representative fill out lower section. This should NOT be filled out by a professor.
3. Obtain proof of your financial support (an award letter, Cornell assistantship letter, bank statement, or sponsor letter).
4. Bring the above items (financial support proof and graduate or professional school certification) to the ISSO and sign in to speak to the Advisor on duty.
5. Please allow one week for the ISSO to produce the new I-20 for your new program.
6. The ISSO advisor will let you know by email when you can pick up your new I-20.

PLEASE NOTE:

This procedure might extend the end date of your I-20 but will not extend the visa stamp in your passport. If you have an expired visa stamp in your passport, it is ok to remain in the U.S. but the next time you travel out of the U.S. and need to re-enter, you will still need to apply for a new visa stamp to re-enter the U.S.