F-1 Students: Leaves of Absence

[Paragraph about leaves of absence here]

SEVIS Reactivation for Absences Less Than 5 Months or 5 Months: 

In some cases, an F-1 student may take a temporary leave of absence of less than 5 months from studies and return using the same F-1 SEVIS record after a SEVIS Termination. If approved, you will retain the same SEVIS ID number and same SEVIS record, with continuous F-1 status (including eligibility for CPT/OPT).

Eligibility Criteria for SEVIS Reactivation:

In order to be eligible for SEVIS reactivation, the following things must be true:

• You maintained F-1 Status prior to the Leave of Absence. This means:
  • You attended classes in person in the US until the date of your withdrawal OR
  • If you withdrew during a semester break, you attended classes in person in the US until the end of your previous semester.
• You submitted the official LOA form to ISO via email prior to your departure OR prior to the start of the new semester.
  • The ISO will do everything we can to help you through this process, including contacting SEVP to reactivate your record when the time comes, but the final decision on whether or not to reactivate the record is made by SEVP.
• You departed the U.S. within 15 days after the LOA was approved.
• The start of the next semester is less than 5 months from the date your LOA request was effective.
• Your re-entry date is less than 5 months after both your Exit date from the U.S. AND your LOA effective date
• Your re-entry date will be within 30 days before the next semester start date.
• At the time of the reactivation request, you will be outside of the US.
• You will be enrolled full-time for your return semester, with no more than 1 online class. Please visit our maintaining your status webpage to review the requirements for full time enrollment.

How to Apply for SEVIS Reactivation

Submit the following documents to ISO at isogwu [dot] edu (iso[at]gwu[dot]edu):

• Academic Support Letter from your academic advisor that states the following:
  • You are  authorized to return to resume your studies
  • You are currently in good standing at GW.
  • What degree program you will be completing
  • In which term you are expected to return
  • In which term  you are expected to complete your program, and the exact date of program completion. Please note that this date is usually the last day of final exams.
• Copy of Passport
• Copy of Visa

If the reactivation is successful, your ISO advisor will email you an I-20 with a travel signature. 

Checklist of documents for reentry

In order to reenter the United States after a temporary absence of 5 months or less, an F-1 student should have the following documents:

• A valid passport or travel document
• A valid F-1 visa
• A Form I-20 properly endorsed for travel by the DSO

CBP also recommends that students have with them:

• Evidence of financial resources
• Evidence of student status (recent tuition receipts, transcripts);
• Name and contact information for the school’s Designated School Official (DSO)

For more information on re-entering the country, visit our Immigration and Safety Tips page and our Travel & Re-entry page. 

SEVIS Reactivation for Absences of 5 Months or More 

If you are out of the country for 5 months or more, the ISO will need to issue you a new I-20. This will generate a new SEVIS number. You must pay the SEVIS fee prior to your re-entry. Passports must be valid 6 months into the future at all times and you must have a valid F-1 visa to enter the country.

To request a new I-20 after a leave of absence of 5 months , please email the following documents to ISO at isogwu [dot] edu (iso[at]gwu[dot]edu):

• Review required documentation
  • Passport
  • Visa (student should not need a new visa if current one is not expired)
  • VRFC
  • Proof of funding for one academic year
    • Documents need to be within the last 3 months, in English, and the funds must be liquid and easily withdrawn at any time without any penalty.
  • Academic Support Letter from advisor stating:
    • You are authorized to return to resume your studies
    • You are currently in good standing
    • The degree program you are returning to complete
    • The term you are expected to return
    • The term you are expected to complete your program and the exact date of program completion.
  • Receipt of payment for SEVIS fee (www.fmjfee.com)
  • Once you receive the I-20, print and sign on page 1 with a blue, wet ink signature.