Leave of Absence

• Requesting a Leave of Absence

  Requesting a Leave of Absence

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  Any F-1 student who wishes to take a leave of absence must first notify Visa and Immigration Services by logging in to accessVIS and completing the Ending My F-1 Status eform request.

  With proper notification and completion of the required form, the student's SEVIS record will be terminated for the positive reason, “Authorized Early Withdrawal (AEW).” Termination of the SEVIS record for AEW should not have an adverse effect on the student's ability to return for a future semester.

  Upon termination, the student will be allotted 15 days to depart the U.S.

• Returning from a Leave of Absence

  Returning from a Leave of Absence

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  Returning from a leave of absence applies to students who have taken a leave of absence from Stony Brook University due to medical leave, military duty, or other reasons. Students should begin the process to request an I-20 for returning at least 3 months prior to the semester they wish to return.

  Important Considerations

  • Those who have been outside of the United States for less than 5 months may be eligible to request to have your SEVIS record reactivated and an updated I-20 with valid travel signature issued. Please note the reactivation of your F-1 record is at the discretion of SEVP and not guaranteed. SEVP will only accept requests for record reactivation 60 days before the semester start date.
  • Those who have been outside of the United States for more than 5 months are required to request a new I-20 (with new SEVIS ID#), pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee and may need to apply for a new F-1 visa if their current visa has or will expire prior to your return. The 5 months is calculated from the date you departed the U.S. to the day you will return to the U.S.
  • Students not eligible for record reactivation are issued a new I-20 (with new SEVIS ID#), and are required to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee. If your F-1 visa in your passport will be valid at the time of anticipated entry into the U.S., you may use this visa to enter along with your new I-20. If your F-1 visa has expired (or will expire at the time of entry), you are required to apply for a new F-1 Visa prior to your return.

  Undergraduate Students

  Step 1: Speak to Registrar

  Contact the Registrar's Office to find out if you are required to rematriculate for the upcoming semester. If so, you will need to complete the Rematriculation Form.

  Step 2: Complete the Major/Minor Review Form

  Fill out the top portion of the Major/Minor Review Form.

  Email it to your major academic advisor to complete Section 1.

  Then (if applicable) email the form to your second major academic department to complete Section 2.

  Lastly (if applicable) email the form to your minor academic department to complete Section 3.

  Step 3: Register for the upcoming semester

  Register full-time (at least 12 credits) for the upcoming semester. If returning for the summer term, you must ensure you can be enrolled full-time (6 credits, 3 of which can be online) for EACH summer session.

  Step 4: Submit your request in accessVIS

  Complete and submit the Return from Leave of Absence (Undergrad) request in accessVIS, uploading proof of sufficient financial sponsorship for the remainder of your program and your completed Major/Minor Review Form.

  If your Net ID has expired, you'll need to request a Limited Services PIN.

  Step 5: Receive your new I-20

  Once all of the required steps have been completed and you have registered full-time for the upcoming term, a Form I-20 can be issued.

  Graduate Students

  Step 1: Speak to your Graduate Department

  Complete and submit the Readmission Form for Graduate Students to your Graduate Program Director for approval.  

  Step 2: Register for the upcoming semester

  Register full-time (at least 9 credits) for the upcoming semester.  If returning for the summer term, you must ensure you can be enrolled full-time (4.5 credits for EACH summer session I and II or 9 credits for Summer Session 0).

  Step 3: Submit your request in accessVIS

  Complete and submit the Return from Leave of Absence (Master's/PhD) request in accessVIS, uploading proof of sufficient financial sponsorship for the remainder of your program.

  If your Net ID has expired, you'll need to request a Limited Services PIN.

  Upon submission of your request, an email will be sent to your Graduate Department for approval.

  Step 4: Receive your new I-20

  Once all of the required steps have been completed and you have registered full-time for the upcoming term, a Form I-20 can be issued.