Skipping A Semester: Options For International Students

International students may want to take a semester off for a variety of reasons, including mandatory military service, family emergencies, or financial challenges. In the US, F-1 students must be continuously enrolled full-time during the academic year until their programs are complete. Students who are physically present in the US and choose not to enroll for a semester must depart the country within 15 days. They will also need to apply for an official Leave of Absence from their university and submit an Immigration Leave of Absence Form to the CIS office. Students who take a break from their studies for more than five months will need to apply for a new I-20 and visa.

Can an international student skip a semester?

F-1 students in the US must be enrolled full-time

F-1 students in the US must be enrolled as full-time students at their institution. This means that they must be enrolled in a full course load, which is typically defined as 12 credits per semester. F-1 students are also required to maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 to remain in good academic standing.

There are a few exceptions to the full-time enrolment requirement. F-1 students may be eligible for a reduced course load (RCL) if they have a medical or academic reason that prevents them from taking a full course load. This could include a medical condition or injury, or academic difficulties such as failing a class or having difficulty with the English language. To be approved for an RCL, students must provide appropriate documentation and receive approval from their Designated School Official (DSO) and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

It is important to note that F-1 students who drop below full-time status without prior approval will be considered out of status and may face serious consequences, including deportation. Additionally, F-1 students who take a leave of absence or withdraw from their program of study must apply for a new I-20 form and may need to apply for a new visa to re-enter the US.

F-1 students should also be aware that their visa status comes with certain employment restrictions. On-campus employment is generally permitted, but off-campus employment must be authorized by the USCIS and must be related to the student's area of study. To be eligible for off-campus employment, F-1 students must have been in F-1 status for at least one full academic year and must be able to demonstrate severe economic hardship or another valid reason for working.

Visa consequences of skipping classes

International students on an F-1 visa in the US are required to be enrolled full-time to maintain their visa status. Missing too many classes or taking a semester off without prior approval can result in losing their legal status in the country and having their student visa revoked. The specific number of allowed absences varies depending on the state or institution, as stated on the F-1 visa.

If an international student needs to take a leave of absence, they should consult their university's international student office to understand the visa implications and to obtain guidance on the necessary procedures. Failure to do so may result in an "Unauthorized Withdrawal" status, making it more challenging to regain "Active" student status.

In the case of a leave of absence of fewer than five months, international students can maintain their current SEVIS record and I-20 status. They should, however, ensure they remain in contact with their advisor to keep their account information up to date and confirm their ability to enroll in classes upon their return. Additionally, if their visa needs renewal during this period, they must contact their international student office 30 days before the visa appointment to be returned to "Active" status.

For leaves of absence longer than five months, international students will need to re-apply as a new student on an initial SEVIS record. This process includes acquiring a new I-20, paying a new I-901 fee, and obtaining a new visa. Upon returning, they will not be eligible for OPT or CPT for a full academic year.

Leave of Absence (LOA)

International students in the US with F-1 immigration status are required to be enrolled full-time during the regular semesters (Fall and Spring). Summer and Winter session enrollment is optional. A Leave of Absence (LOA) allows F1 students to take time off from their academic program. During an LOA, your SEVIS record is terminated, and you cannot remain in the US. Before taking a semester off, international students should consult with their Center for International Students to ensure they will be able to return.

To initiate the LOA process, students must submit a Leave of Absence Request Form to their university at least two weeks before their leave. Students should also submit an Immigration Leave of Absence Form to the CIS office, indicating their reason for taking a semester off. Reasons for an LOA can include internships, study abroad, or personal reasons. If the leave is for medical reasons, students can be authorized for a reduced course load and their SEVIS record will remain active, allowing them to stay in the US.

It is important to note that F1 students who take an LOA for more than 5 months will need to apply for a new I-20 and visa. Additionally, an LOA longer than one semester can impact work authorization and eligibility for CPT or OPT. Students should carefully consider the benefits and risks of taking a semester off and ensure they meet all the requirements for returning to their studies.

When returning from an LOA, students must ensure their student account is up-to-date and that they can enroll in classes. The reactivation process can take 1 to 4 weeks, and failure to reactivate the record before travel can result in refused entry into the US. Students must also ensure they have a valid travel signature on their I-20 and may need to renew their visa before returning.

Reactivation of SEVIS record

International students in the United States with an F-1 visa must be continuously enrolled full-time during the academic year until they complete their program of study. However, a Leave of Absence (LOA) allows F1 students to take time off from their academic program. During an LOA, your SEVIS record is terminated until you are ready to return, at which point your record is "reactivated" and you regain your status.

To be eligible for an LOA, you must have been in F1 status for at least one full academic year (2 semesters). If your record is terminated, you cannot remain in the U.S. during your leave and must leave the country within 15 days of the termination date. If your leave is for fewer than 5 months, you can usually request that your F-1 status be reactivated, allowing you to maintain your OPT/CPT eligibility and use the same I-20 and visa (if not expired).

If you are returning after a brief break from your studies, you may be eligible to reactivate your prior F-1 immigration record. To request a reactivation of your current SEVIS record, the following conditions must be met:

• Your immigration leave of absence was only one quarter.
• You will travel to the U.S. for the upcoming quarter.
• You have a valid travel signature on page 2 of your I-20. If not, you can request an updated signature from ISS.
• You have a flight back to the U.S. Your ticket information may be necessary for ISS to reactivate your record.

To reactivate your record, log into your MyISSS portal and submit the SEVIS Reactivation request. You will need to provide the date you departed the U.S., the date you intend to return, and proof of departure. The process can take 1 to 4 weeks, so it is important to start the process well in advance of your return. You can only return to the U.S. within 30 days of the start of the next semester.

If the termination of your SEVIS record was due to a transfer between SEVP-certified schools, the transfer-in DSO must populate the fields available in Draft before submitting. The record will remain in Terminated status, and the DSO must recommend reinstatement and print a reinstatement Form I-20. The student must then file an application for reinstatement with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) unless the DSO or SEVIS erroneously put the student into Terminated status, in which case the DSO may call the SEVP Response Center to request a data fix.

Medical Reduced Course Load (RCL)

International students in F-1 and J-1 status are required to maintain full-time enrollment during the school year. If, due to a temporary illness or medical condition, a student is unable to be enrolled full-time, they may request a Medical Reduced Course Load (RCL). This request must be accompanied by medical documentation from a licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, or licensed clinical psychologist. The letter from the medical provider must be dated no more than 30 days before the start of the term for which the RCL is requested and must recommend either part-time study or no study at all. Students must also receive approval from their academic department.

The RCL form is automatically routed to the student's academic advisor for review and approval. Submission of the form does not guarantee approval. If the request is approved, the student will not receive any additional confirmation. If the request is not approved, the student will receive an email with further instructions. RCL forms are due by the end of the second week of classes.

It is important to note that students who remain in the US without obtaining prior approval for a medical RCL will be considered out of status. Additionally, students with an RCL approval are still eligible for on-campus employment benefits.

For illness or medical cases, a DSO may excuse a student from all classes for up to 12 months for an F-1 student or five months for an M-1 student. During this time, they will maintain their F-1 or M-1 status.

Frequently asked questions