Savanna Hoffman
International students can take a semester break, but there are several factors to consider. Firstly, international students on an F-1 visa must be enrolled full-time throughout the academic year. A Leave of Absence (LOA) allows F-1 students to take a break, but their SEVIS record will be terminated, and they must leave the US for the duration of their absence. The length of the break is crucial, as a break of more than five months will require a new I-20 and visa, impacting work authorizations like CPT and OPT. Students with medical conditions should be aware that an LOA may not apply to them. Proper planning and consultation with the relevant offices are necessary to ensure a smooth process for taking a semester break and returning to studies afterward.
Can international students take a semester break?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Students eligible for a semester break | F-1 students |
| Requirements | Must have been in F1 status for one full academic year (2 semesters) |
| Type of break | Full or partial semester break |
| Maximum break length | 5 months |
| Work authorization | Not authorized |
| Visa requirements | Need to apply for a new I-20 and visa if the break is longer than 5 months |
| SEVIS record | Terminated until the student is ready to return |
| CPT or OPT eligibility | Not eligible if the break is longer than 5 months |
| Request form | Leave of Absence Request Form |
| Request deadline | At least two weeks before the leave |
What You'll Learn
International students in the US must be enrolled full-time
International students in the US on an F-1 visa must be continuously enrolled full-time during the academic year until they complete their program of study. However, there are provisions for taking a break from studies, known as a Leave of Absence (LOA) or a semester break.
Leave of Absence (LOA)
An LOA allows an F-1 student to take time off from their academic program. During an LOA, your SEVIS record is terminated, and you cannot remain in the US. You must leave the US within 15 days of the beginning of the semester. If your leave is for medical reasons, your SEVIS record will remain active, and you are allowed to stay in the US. To be eligible for an LOA, you must have been in F1 status for one full academic year (2 semesters) before taking the leave.
Semester Break
A semester break is when a student chooses not to enrol in classes for a semester. Students can take a full break (e.g., a break between the late Fall and late Spring semesters) or a partial break (e.g., a break during the Spring semester and returning late Spring). Only one semester break may be requested per degree, and students must be approved for a semester break by the International Student Office (ISO). Students on an authorized semester break are not required to leave the US but are permitted to travel outside the US if they have valid travel documents.
Returning from a Break
If you take a break from your studies, you must ensure that you meet the requirements to return. For instance, if your SEVIS record was terminated during your break, you will need to get it reactivated before you travel or risk being refused entry into the US. You can only return to the US within 30 days of the start of the next semester. Additionally, if your break is longer than five months, you will need a new I-20 and visa and will have to enter the US as a new student.
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A Leave of Absence (LOA) allows students to take a break
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 a break from their academic program.
During an LOA, your SEVIS record is terminated until you are ready to return. When you are ready to resume your studies, your record is "reactivated," and you regain your status. To be eligible for an LOA, you must have been in F1 status for one full academic year (2 semesters) before taking the break. It is important to note that if your record is terminated, you cannot remain in the US during your leave and must leave the country.
If your leave is for medical reasons, you can be authorized for a reduced course load based on your medical condition, and your SEVIS record will remain active, allowing you to stay in the US. Additionally, if your leave is less than five months, your F-1 status can usually be reactivated by SEVP, maintaining your OPT/CPT eligibility and using the same I-20 and visa (if not expired).
If your leave is longer than five months, you will need to apply for a new I-20 and visa, and it will be like starting a new F-1 record. You will need to complete another academic year before becoming eligible for CPT or OPT again. It is recommended that students do not take an LOA longer than one semester.
To initiate the LOA process, you must submit a request form at least two weeks before your leave takes effect. You may also need to consult your academic department to understand the impact of your absence on your course sequence and program length.
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Students must notify the ISO office before taking a break
International students on an F-1 visa in the United States must be continuously enrolled full-time during the academic year until they complete their program of study. However, a Leave of Absence (LOA) allows F-1 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 break, students must notify the International Student Office (ISO) and make an appointment with the International Student Advisor.
To request a semester break, students can log in to the Terra Dotta System and navigate to the Request Center to find the Semester Break request. Students are advised to submit their request at least two weeks before their leave. The ISO office will then submit a request to the SEVP to terminate the student's SEVIS record. This process can take 1 to 4 weeks, so it is important to start well in advance of your planned break.
When you are ready to return, your SEVIS record will be reactivated, and you will be back in status. To return to the US, you must have a valid travel signature on page 2 of your I-20. If you took a break of more than 5 months, you will need to apply for a new I-20 and visa, and you will not be eligible for CPT or OPT based on your previous F-1 status. You will also need to pay off any balance owed to the university before returning.
It is important to note that students on an authorized semester break are not required to leave the US. However, if they wish to travel outside the US, they must have a valid passport, visa, and active form I-20 with a travel endorsement. Additionally, students with medical conditions are not eligible for an LOA, but they can be authorized for a reduced course load based on medical conditions, and their SEVIS record will remain active.
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Students can take a full or partial semester break
Students can take a semester off for internships, study abroad, or personal reasons. Students must make an appointment with the International Student Advisor to take a leave of absence. Students who take a leave of absence for medical reasons can be authorized for a reduced course load and can stay in the US. For other reasons, if a student takes a leave of absence for more than 5 months, they will need a new I-20 and visa and must enter the US as a new student.
Students on an authorized semester break are not required to leave the US. However, if they wish to travel outside the US, they must have a valid passport, visa, and active form I-20 with a travel endorsement. Students are advised not to take a leave of absence longer than one semester. Students on H-1B or other valid visas that are not F-1 status may request a break from their studies after completing certain steps.
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Students can lose work authorization during a semester break
International students on an F1 visa in the United States must be continuously enrolled full-time during the academic year until they complete their program of study. A Leave of Absence (LOA) allows F1 students to take time off from their academic program. However, students cannot be authorised for work authorisation while on an official school leave.
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. If your record is terminated, you cannot remain in the US during your leave and must leave the country. If your leave is for a medical reason, you can be authorised for a reduced course load based on medical conditions, and your SEVIS record will remain active, allowing you to stay in the US.
It is important to note that if your LOA is longer than 5 months of academic time, you will need to apply for a new I-20 and visa. Additionally, a leave of more than 5 months will make you ineligible for CPT or OPT based on your previous time as an F1 student. To become eligible again, you will need to complete another academic year.
To summarise, international students on an F1 visa in the US can take a semester break by requesting an LOA. However, they cannot be authorised for work during their leave and may lose their work authorisation for the previous period if their break is longer than 5 months. They must also leave the country during their break and may need to apply for a new visa if their leave exceeds 5 months. Proper planning and consultation with the relevant offices are crucial before taking a semester break.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can take a semester break. However, they must be approved for a break by the International Student Office (ISO). Students can take a full or partial break. For example, a full semester break would be taking a break during the Fall semester and returning in the Spring semester.
Students must submit a request for a semester break. They can do this by logging into the Terra Dotta System and navigating to the Request Center. Students must also notify the ISO office. Students are advised to not take a break longer than one semester.
If you are outside of the United States for five months or fewer, you may be able to return on the same SEVIS record. If you are outside of the US for more than five months, you will need a new I-20 and visa.
