Temporary Leave from the U.S.

Temporary Leave from the U.S. (returning at some future term)

If you need to take a temporary leave from the U.S. for one or more terms, but plan on returning to the UO in the future, you are REQUIRED to notify International Student & Scholar Services.

  1. Meet with an ISSS advisor before you withdrawal from classes and/or leave the U.S. An ISSS advisor must authorize your withdrawal. Failure to get approval may lead to your F-1 SEVIS record being terminated for unauthorized withdrawal.
     
  2. Graduate students must first receive permission from the Graduate School for on-leave status.
     
  3. Log in to iConnect and complete the Temporary Leave from the U.S. eform.
     
  4. Log in to Duckweb and request a complete withdrawal of your classes if you want to drop all your classes. You can keep online classes if you want to continue in those classes while you are on your leave of absence.
     
  5. Depart the U.S. within 15 days after your withdrawal is authorized by an ISSS advisor. Your F-1 SEVIS record may be terminated which means you cannot re-enter the U.S. with your current I-20 until you have your SEVIS record reactivated or a new I-20 issued by ISSS.

Important F-1 Visa Requirements:

  • If you remain outside the U.S. for five or more months, you must request a new "initial" I-20 and pay a new SEVIS fee in order to re-enter the U.S. This is called the 5-month rule and applies to all F-1 students.
  • If your U.S. visa has expired, you will need a valid I-20 to get it renewed. Contact ISSS is you are planning to renew your visa while outside the U.S. so we can make a plan together.
  • When you re-enter the U.S., you must check-in with ISSS so we can activate your F-1 SEVIS record.

Other Matters to Consider:

  • Bills and student holds. Pay any outstanding bills or payments owed to UO and arrange to clear any holds on your student account before leaving. Please note that you will not be permitted to return to the U.S. and enroll in classes if you have registration holds on your account. 
  • Housing. Talk to UO Housing or your off-campus manager to understand the implications of a temporary leave from the US.
  • Pets. Please make arrangements to leave your pet with a trusted friend if you cannot take them with you. You can also give your pet to the Greenhill Humane Society in Eugene who will find a new home for your pet. 
  • Contact information. Update your contact information in Duckweb so that ISSS and other UO departments can reach you, if necessary, while you are outside the U.S.
  • Check your email. Check your UO email while you are away, as we may need to send important information to you during your leave.