Savanna Hoffman
International students in the United States may need to take a semester off from their studies for various reasons, including mandatory military service, family emergencies, or financial challenges. While taking a break from their studies is an option, there are important considerations and procedures that international students must be aware of. These include the impact on their immigration status, the need to apply for a Leave of Absence, and the possibility of having to depart the country within a specified time frame. Understanding the relevant regulations and procedures is crucial for international students contemplating a semester off to ensure a smooth process and maintain their legal status in the host country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| International students taking a semester off | Allowed in some cases |
| F-1 students taking a semester off | Allowed in some cases |
| J-1 students taking a semester off | Allowed in some cases |
| Reasons for taking a semester off | Military service, family emergencies, financial challenges, medical reasons, academic reasons, internships, study abroad, personal reasons |
| Requirements for taking a semester off | Good academic standing, meeting with an international advisor, completing the LOA process, confirming eligibility to return to the academic program after the LOA, doctor's letter (for medical reasons), prior approval from the Office of International Student Services and academic department |
| Effects of taking a semester off | Termination of I-20 and F-1 immigration record, no longer authorized to work on-campus or through any F-1 authorization, loss of eligibility for CPT or OPT, need to apply for a new I-20, new I-901 fee, new visa, and entry as a new student on an initial SEVIS record |
| Returning after taking a semester off | Submit LOA request, work with academic adviser to drop classes, receive confirmation email, depart the US within 15 days, return to the US within 30 days of the start of the next semester, obtain a valid travel signature on the I-20, consult emails regularly during the reactivation process, provide additional information if required |
| Limitations | LOA not allowed for students with medical conditions, LOA not to exceed 5 months for visa purposes, LOA not to exceed 12 months per degree level |
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What You'll Learn
International students must be enrolled full-time
International students on an F-1 visa must be continuously enrolled full-time during the academic year until they complete their programs of study. Students who are not enrolled full-time and wish to take a semester off are required to apply for an official Leave of Absence (LOA). The process for applying for an LOA involves several steps and has several implications for the student's status and future ability to work in the US.
Firstly, students must make an appointment with the International Student Advisor to discuss their LOA. Students must be in good academic standing when requesting an LOA and must be outside the US during the LOA. It is the student's responsibility to meet with their international advisor and complete the LOA process, as well as to confirm their eligibility to return to their academic program after the LOA. Students wishing to take an LOA for medical reasons must obtain a letter from a licensed medical professional recommending the LOA and receive prior approval from the Office of International Student Services and their academic department before withdrawing from courses.
Once the student has received approval for their LOA, they will need to submit a Leave of Absence Request Form to the CIS office at least two weeks before they plan to leave. They will then need to wait for their request to be submitted to SEVP, which can take 1 to 4 weeks. The student's I-20 and F-1 immigration record will be terminated, and they will no longer be authorized to work on-campus or through any other F-1 authorization. If the student's leave is for more than 5 months of academic time, they will need to apply for a new I-20 and visa, and they will not be eligible for CPT or OPT for another year.
When planning to return to the US from an LOA, students must not enter more than 30 days before classes begin, even if their visa is still valid. They must also validate their return to the Office of International Student Services by reporting within 21 days of the start of the new semester and meeting with their international advisor. If the student has completed their program of study, they must depart the US no more than 60 days after the program end date listed on their Form I-20.
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F-1 students can take an annual vacation
F-1 students are eligible to take an annual vacation after completing an academic year at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school. This annual vacation can be taken once every year after that. It is most frequently taken during the summer term, but it can also be taken during another academic term, usually determined by a student's school calendar.
F-1 students must be enrolled in a full course of study any time they are not on annual vacation. Before taking an annual vacation, F-1 students should speak with their designated school official (DSO), who can confirm their eligibility for vacation and should sign the student's Form I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," if they plan to travel outside the United States.
If you are returning to the US from a leave of absence, you are not allowed to enter more than 30 days before classes begin, even if your visa is still valid. You will need a new I-20 issued, a new I-901 fee paid, a new visa acquired, and you must enter the US as a new student on an initial SEVIS record. If your leave of absence is for more than 5 months, you will not be eligible for CPT or OPT based on your previous time as an F1 student.
F-1 students are authorized to work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session and are allowed to work full-time during annual vacations.
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LOA requests must be submitted early
International students on an F-1 visa must be enrolled full-time during the academic year until they complete their program of study. However, there are certain circumstances that allow international students to take a semester off.
If you are an international student and you want to take a semester off, it is important to submit your Leave of Absence (LOA) request early. Firstly, you must make an appointment with the International Student Advisor to discuss your LOA. You will need to provide evidence that you are in good academic standing and meet any other requirements. For example, if you are requesting an LOA for medical reasons, you will need to provide a letter from a licensed medical professional.
Once you have met with the International Student Advisor and confirmed your eligibility for an LOA, you should submit your request as early as possible. At Southern Arkansas University, the recommended deadline is at least two weeks before your leave will go into effect. The process of submitting your request to SEVP can take 1-4 weeks, so it is important to start the process early.
If you are taking a semester off and leaving the country, you will need to depart within 15 days of the beginning of the semester. If you are remaining in the US for medical treatment, you must obtain prior approval from the Office of International Student Services, or you will be considered out of status. If you are taking a semester off for internships or study abroad, you should select 'Planned Professional Leave'. If your leave is for personal reasons, select 'Personal Leave'.
It is important to be aware of the implications of taking a semester off on your visa status. If your LOA is for more than 5 months, you will need to apply for a new I-20 and visa. You will also not be eligible for CPT or OPT for another year. Therefore, it is crucial to plan ahead and submit your LOA request early to ensure you meet all the necessary requirements and deadlines.
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Students must depart the US within 15 days
International students in the United States on an F-1 visa must be enrolled full-time during the academic year until their program of study is complete. Students who wish to take a semester off will need to apply for an official Leave of Absence (LOA) from their university.
If you are an international student in the US and you withdraw from classes, you must depart the country within 15 days of the withdrawal date or SEVIS termination date, whichever comes first. This is to ensure that your I-20 and F-1 immigration record remains valid for entrance to the US. If you remain in the US, your record will be terminated and listed as "Authorized Early Withdrawal".
If you are planning to take a semester off, you must submit the LOA request through the correct portal, such as MyISSS, and work with your academic adviser to request to drop your classes. Once your LOA is approved, you will have 15 days to depart the US. It is important to start this process well in advance of your planned departure. You will need to pay a new I-901 fee, acquire a new visa, and enter the US as a new student on an initial SEVIS record.
If you are taking a semester off for internships or study abroad, select 'Planned Professional Leave'. If you are taking a semester off for personal reasons, select 'Personal Leave'. If you are taking a semester off for medical reasons, you must obtain a doctor's letter recommending the LOA and receive prior approval from the Office of International Student Services.
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Work authorisation is not permitted on LOA
International students on an F-1 visa in the United States must be enrolled full-time during the academic year until they complete their programs of study. A Leave of Absence (LOA) allows F-1 students to take time off from their studies. However, work authorisation is not permitted while on LOA.
International students on an LOA are not authorised to work in the US. Students are advised not to take an LOA longer than one semester (5 months). For visa purposes, F-1 students that take an LOA for more than 5 months of academic time will need to apply for a new I-20 and visa. Summer or December vacation time does not factor into this 5-month time limit. If the LOA is for more than 5 months, the student will not be eligible for CPT or OPT based on their previous time as an F1 student.
The process of taking an LOA involves submitting a formal request to the university, which is then assessed on a case-by-case basis. The reason for the request must fall under one of the allowable reasons, such as medical or academic. Students must also ensure they do not have any holds on their student account and that they have paid off any balance owed to the university before they will be eligible to return.
If an international student on an F-1 visa withdraws from classes, they must depart the US within 15 days. If they have not yet registered for classes and decide to take a semester off, they should depart within 15 days of the beginning of the semester. When returning to the US from an LOA, students cannot enter more than 30 days before classes begin, even if their visa is still valid.
International students on an LOA in Canada are also not authorised to work. Students with an institutionally approved LOA are authorised to remain in Canada with a valid study permit for 150 days from the start date of their leave. Working without authorisation in Canada can have serious impacts on future immigration applications.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can take a semester off, but they must apply for an immigration Leave of Absence (LOA) and depart the US within 15 days.
Your I-20 and F-1 immigration record will be terminated and no longer valid for entrance to the US. You will need to apply for a new visa and a new I-20 issued before returning to the US.
You must submit a Leave of Absence request and work with your academic advisor to drop your classes. Consult your international student advisor to understand the immigration impact of the leave. You will also need to apply for an official Leave of Absence from the University.
