Leave of Absence

Leave of Absence (LOA) and Visa Status of F-1/J-1 Students

F-1 and J-1 students would not be able to maintain status if taking an LOA, since it would mean being withdrawing from the university and not enrolling for a period of time. Students would be required to depart the U.S., and their records terminated.

Applying for LOA and Departing the U.S.

1. Consult with an academic advisor, complete the appropriate LOA form, and get approval prior to withdrawing from classes if possible.
2. Contact ISS if the LOA form requires an ISS signature. If the form does not require an ISS signature, the student may still want to inform ISS of the planned LOA, and/or meet with an ISS advisor to discuss their LOA plans and the impact it will have on the visa status.
3. Once approved, the ISS Office will receive a notice of the leave from the Registrar's Office.
   1. If the student withdraws during a semester, ISS will terminate, or close, the immigration record within 10 days of the approval notice, and email the student of the date of termination. From that date, the student will need to depart the U.S. within 15 days.
   2. If the student withdraws after a semester ends, ISS will terminate, or close, the immigration record by the start of the next semester, and email the student of the date of termination. From that date, the student will need to depart the U.S. within 15 days.

NOTE: J-1 students who take a leave may not qualify to return as a J-1 later, so should consult with an ISS advisor before requesting an LOA.

Returning from LOA

• F-1 Return on Same SEVIS Record - If the start date of the return semester is less than 5 months from the official date of withdrawal, then the student’s SEVIS record may be reactivated, so that they may return to the U.S. using the same I‐20. The student should contact ISS to request re-activation at least 30 days before the start of the return semester, or earlier if applying for a new visa. After the SEVIS record is re-activated, ISS will contact the student and then they may re-enter the U.S. at any time after that, as long as they have a valid travel signature on their I-20.
• F-1 Return on New SEVIS Record - If the start date of the return semester is more than 5 months from the official date of withdrawal, the student must request a new I‐20 from ISS. This process requires the student to show proof of funding for up to a year of full-time enrollment, including for tuition, fees and estimated living expenses. This creates a new SEVIS record to replace the previous one, and another SEVIS I‐901 fee must be paid for this record. The student should contact ISS to request a new I-20 at least within 60 days before the start of the return semester. Students may not enter the U.S. on a new record earlier than 30 days before the I-20 program start date.
• J-1 Return on New SEVIS Record -Unlike F-1 students, J-1 students cannot re-activate their J-1 records. They may only return as a J-1 if they are still eligible under the J-1 Exchange Visitor guidelines, must follow the J-1 procedures to get a new DS-2019. The SEVIS I-901 fee must be paid for this new record, and the student may not enter the U.S. any earlier than 30 days before the DS-2019 program start date.

Impacts on Practical Training Eligibility (i.e., CPT and OPT)

If students on LOA return to study after remaining abroad for five months or longer, they are no longer eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and/or Optional Practical Training (OPT) until they have maintained valid F-1 status for a minimum of two (2) semesters after returning to the U.S.

Entering the U.S. while on LOA

If the student plans to return to the U.S. during the LOA, it may be possible to return in another visa status, but they should not try to enter on the terminated record.

Change in LOA

If an LOA is shortened or extended, consult with an ISS advisor to determine any impacts on the process and timeframe to regain the student visa status.