Your permission to stay in the United States in J-1 status ends 30 days after the expiration date of your Form DS-2019 or 30 days after the end of your affiliation with CSU whichever comes first. Work permission ends on the program end date per the Form DS -2019, but you can stay in the U.S. 30 days longer. Extensions and transfers must be processed before this 30-day grace period begins.

To extend your J-1 Program, you must first obtain permission from the campus department that originally issued the invitation.  That office will send a request for continuation of your program to the CISP via email or the Scholar Portal. You are eligible to apply for an extension if: you are still working toward the same program objective shown on your Form DS-2019, if you have adequate funding for the new period,  you have maintained the required insurance and the extension will not carry you beyond the maximum time limit for your category. You are responsible for keeping track of your J-1 Program End Date. This can be found on your Form DS-2019. At a minimum, extension requests should be submitted two to three months in advance.

We will provide your host department with a continuation request form to use if they wish to extend your stay. Our office must have proof of your continued funding if it is not provided by Cleveland State University. We must also have proof of your valid insurance coverage. When we have received the request for continuation and the required supporting document, we will prepare your extension and issue a new Form DS-2019. 

NOTE: If your J-2 spouse has an EAD card/ work permission, you may apply for a new EAD only after your own J-1 Program extension is processed and you have your new program end dates. Since the work permission extension can take as long as three months, your extension should be requested as early as possible.

Extensions beyond the normal time limit

Exchange visitors in the short-term scholar category may not extend beyond the six-month time limit. Those in the professor or research scholar categories may extend but not beyond the 5-year maximum time limit. There are no exceptions with our Exchange Visitor Program. 

Ineligible reasons for a J-1 Program Extension

Exchange visitors may not request a J-1 program extension due to flight delays or their Ohio driver's license renewals. Please contact the Center for International Services and Programs to discuss your unique circumstances.