Changing Degree Level at ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø
The Duration of Status Final Rule which was scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026, has been delayed due to a preliminary injunction issued on September 14, 2026. This page has not yet been updated to reflect changes introduced by the . Please monitor our for timely updates. Once this page has been updated, we will remove this banner.
If you have completed a Bachelor’s degree at ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø and have been admitted to a Master’s degree program at ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø, you will need to complete the e-form and submit it to ISSS. After you have submitted your eform, ISSS will create a new I-20 for you and email you when your “Change of Education Levelâ€� I-20 is ready. Please note the following:
- If there is more than 5 months between the last date of your attendance or OPT/STEM OPT end date and the start date of your new degree, you may not be eligible for a “â€� I-20. Please contact ISSS before submitting your request eform. For updated information on ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø semester start dates, please refer to the ºÚ¹Ï³ÔÁÏÍø Registrar's Office.
- You may request to obtain your “Change of Education Level� I-20 before the last date of your employment on OPT/STEM OPT, however, you must stop your employment the day before the semester start date of your new degree (For example, if the new semester starts on 01/26/2022, the last day of employment on your OPT/STEM OPT must be on or before 01/25/2022.)
- "Change of Education Level" I-20 does not require a travel signature on the second page in order for you to be able to enter the U.S.. You receive a "Continued Attendance" I-20 with a travel signature only after you are enrolled and have completed the new student immigration check-in. You may schedule an appointment with an ISSS Advisor to discuss your plans, so you know the deadlines that you need to meet, in order to maintain your F-1 visa status.
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