Temporary Absence from the United States

International Student and Scholar Services | Temporary Absence from the United States

International students, like domestic students, sometimes find an opportunity to participate in a study abroad program to enhance their academic experience or as required by their academic department to conducting research outside the U.S.  The new immigration regulations allow time for students to be enrolled in a study abroad program with the approval of their Academic Advisor or the Program Director. It is important to note that students must spend at least one full academic term enrolled in a full course of study in the U.S. prior to studying abroad.

For an F-1 student, it is essential that if you plan to be absence from the U.S. for more than 5 months, you must inform ISSS. As required by SEVIS, ISSS will have to terminate your SEVIS record right after you depart the U.S. unless your reason for being absence from the U.S. for 5 months or more is:

• to participate in a study abroad program with an approval from the Academic Advisor or the Program Director and you must remain register full course of study at SAIS for a during your study abroad program,

• ;to pursue research or collect data, to do a field trip, or its equivalent toward the Ph.D. dissertation.  Approval of this research venture must be signed off by the Academic Program, and you must register full course of study or non-resident for Ph.D. student at SAIS for a duration of this absence.

Other reasons such as personal, medical, military services, or any other reason for a leave of absence approved by SAIS for more than 5 months is not an acceptable reason for ISSS not to terminate your SEVIS record. Therefore, it is essential for you to notify ISSS of your intension to temporarily leave the University. ISSS can properly update your SEVIS record.

If your SEVIS record is terminated, before you are about to return to the U.S. to assume your classes, you must contact ISSS in advance so that new I-20 can be generated and mailed to you. Verification of financial support either from your Academic Department or your sponsor is required in order to complete this process.

In addition, for F-1 graduate student who will be on a leave of absence from the U.S. for more than 5 months and expect to return to the U.S. to defend their dissertation and complete all degree requirements, if the SEVIS record is terminated, will loose their opportunity to apply for the post-completion Optional Practical Training. For those who remain outside the U.S. 5 months or longer, you will be require to register full time for one full academic year in order to preserve Optional Practical Training,.  If one returns to the U.S. before the 5 months is reached, please document your entrance and consult ISSS for further advice.

You will be considered a returning student after a temporary absence of less than five months provided that your current I-20 contains valid travel signatures that are not more than six months old.