Leave of Absence from the U.S. / Early Withdrawal
Overview
If you are taking time away from your studies and are not eligible for the annual vacation quarter, you are not permitted to stay in the U.S. as an F-1 student. Your record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) must be terminated because you will no longer be studying full-time as is required by F-1 regulations. Your EvCC health insurance will also be terminated.
Students use this Leave of Absence option in a number of situations. You might need to take a break from school for personal or family reasons, funding challenges, home country military duty or internship/work opportunities outside the U.S.
If you think that you might be eligible for the annual vacation quarter or you have a medical reason to request a Reduced Course Load (RCL) authorization, please consult with the International Education Center first before requesting a Leave of Absence. In the case of an annual vacation quarter or an approved RCL you would be able to stay in the U.S. nor will you be able to reenter the U.S. as a F-1 during the Leave of Absence.
If you decide on a Leave of Absence, be aware that once we receive this Leave of Absence form, your record will be terminated and the F-1 regulations require that you leave the U.S. within 15 days.
To begin your studies again at Everett Community College you would need to contact the International Education Center (IEC) and your academic advisor to approve your return to resume your academic program. If you return to resume your program within 5 months of your departure, we may be able to reactivate your current SEVIS record rather than creating a new SEVIS record with a new SEVIS ID. Please note: reactivation is not guaranteed and you should speak with an IEC staff member about precautions prior to withdrawing, if this is your plan. If you are not able to reactivate your SEVIS record, you will have to be enrolled for a full academic year before being eligible for a vacation quarter and/or off-campus work authorization (i.e. OPT and CPT). See chart below.
Please contact us at least 60 days prior to your intended return date so we can assist you either in reactivating your SEVIS record, if possible, or issuing you a new initial I-20 with a new SEVIS ID. If we request reactivation of your previous SEVIS record, you will need to provide copies of your flight itinerary, both when you departed the U.S. and when you plan on returning. If you are issued a new initial I-20 with a new SEVIS ID and your F-1 entry visa is still valid, you may use that previous valid visa with the new initial I-20, despite the different SEVIS ID, to reenter the U.S. However, you will have to pay a new SEVIS fee connected to your new SEVIS ID number.
The chart below is provided to assist you in evaluating the path of reactivation of your record versus reentering on a new and different SEVIS record.
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Reactivate Current SEVIS Record |
New / Different SEVIS Record |
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Quarter student has missed? |
Only one quarter Students who have missed only one quarter can also choose Pathway B if they prefer. |
2 or more quarters |
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Process? |
1. Complete the SEVIS Reactivation Request below. SEVIS reactivation is only necessary if you will travel to the U.S. for the upcoming quarter. 2. IE submits the request to reactivate your terminated SEVIS record (I-20) to the government. Please be aware that IE does not control the reactivation process, and the SEVIS record might not be reactivated in time. You might have to delay your return or request an initial I-20 with a new SEVIS ID number It is not possible for IE to contact the government for status or processing time updates after we file your reactivation request. |
May have to submit an EvCC Returning Student application and be approved before IE can issue your new SEVIS record. IE will produce your new SEVIS record (initial I-20 with new SEVIS ID number) to return to EvCC. Required to provide a copy of your passport and new financial documents showing funding is available for one year of study. Your will also need to pay a new SEVIS fee to the government, will need a new visa if your visa has expired. |
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Eligible for CPT or OPT after return?
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Eligibility remains the same as it was prior to your Leave of Absence
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Ineligible until you have completed 3 quarters after your return
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Next eligible for vacation?
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After completing the next 3 quarters of full-time study (including summer quarter, when applicable)
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The first summer quarter after your return, unless your first quarter back is summer
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Earliest date to return to the U.S.?
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30 days before the start of your next study quarter
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30 days before the start of your next study quarter
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Timeline of process?
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Request reactivation 60 days before the start of the next quarter (or the date of a visa interview appointment)
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Begin process at least 3 months before planned return
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In control of the process?
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The U.S. government
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EvCC IE
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To Do Checklist before your leave of absence or withdrawal:
- Complete the Leave of Absence from the U.S./Early Withdrawal Form.
- Schedule a meeting with an IEC staff member to discuss your leave of absence, in addition to submitting this form.
- Withdraw from classes, if needed. You must do this directly through Records and Registration.
To Do Checklist if/when you plan to return by requesting reactivation
- Contact the International Education Center 60 days before your intended return to class if you would like to request a reactivation of your SEVIS record. Submit your flight information – both your departure from the U.S. as well as your planned return. (Please remember that reactivation is not possible if you will have been outside of the U.S. for more than 5 months).
- Obtain a reactivated I-20 from the IEC. This may take a couple of weeks as the request must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
- If IEC is unable to reactivate your SEVIS record you will have to request a new I-20 with a new SEVIS ID (see below).
To Do Checklist if you plan to return with a new, initial I-20 with a new SEVIS ID
- Complete the Returning Student form below three months before you want to return.
- Once you have obtained a new initial I-20 from IEC, you will need to pay a new SEVIS fee at https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html
- Apply for new visa only if previous visa has expired.
- Reenter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days before the start of the quarter and check in with the International Education Center upon arrival. Like a new student, your arrival must be “reported” to SEVIS so you must check in.