Leave of Absence

Students in their first semester are not eligible for a Leave of Absence. They must contact their academic department (or VGASP for USC Viterbi School of Engineering graduate students) and OIS to explore other options, such as a health deferral or updating their admission to the next semester. If they drop or withdraw from all classes, they must leave the United States within 15 days to avoid violating their F-1 or J-1 status.

Students who withdraw from classes after the semester’s add/drop deadline are not eligible for a Leave of Absence. Their SEVIS record will be terminated for “Authorized Early Withdrawal,” and they will need to depart the United States and request an Initial Attendance I-20/DS-2019 to return in a future semester.

Students who must remain in the United States for ongoing medical treatment and do not plan to enroll in classes are not eligible for a Leave of Absence with OIS. Instead, they should file a Voluntary Health Leave with USC’s Campus Support and Intervention (CSI) office and submit an OIS Medical Reduced Course Load Request.

Students may not request a Leave of Absence to switch to another USC degree program or major.

Students may not take a Leave of Absence to work in the United States. Employment (on- or off-campus) is not permitted during school-approved leave.

Students should first contact their academic department to confirm their eligibility for a Leave of Absence for academic purposes. 

Undergraduate students should also review USC’s Leave of Absence page and declare their Leave of Absence via MyUSC.

Graduate students should contact their academic department directly. USC Viterbi graduate students must consult with VGASP. 

Students with an assistantship should discuss whether their assistantship will be available when they return to USC.

Students who need more than four semesters of a leave of absence must receive approval from the USC Graduate School by emailing gradsch@usc.edu.

Next, submit a Leave of Absence Request in Trojan International. 

OIS must receive the completed Leave of Absence Request, signed by the student’s academic advisor, by the first day of the semester. Failure to submit the Leave of Absence Request on time may result in a negative SEVIS termination, which will impact the student’s ability to legally remain in the United States. If you are unsure about your options, speak to an OIS advisor before withdrawing from classes.

Once the academic or VGASP advisor completes the OIS Leave of Absence Request, it will be automatically routed back to OIS for processing. The OIS processing time is 10 business days. Students will receive a confirmation email from OIS once their request has been approved.

A OIS55 hold will be placed on the student’s account once OIS approves the Leave of Absence Request. This type of hold prevents students from making any changes to their class schedule (adding/dropping classes) while on the approved leave of absence. It cannot be removed until the student reenters the United States and reports to OIS.

Eligible students may request reactivation of their terminated SEVIS record, allowing them to retain their original SEVIS ID number. Any time spent in F-1 status on the reactivated SEVIS record before the leave of absence will count toward the one academic year requirement for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) eligibility.

Eligibility Requirements

F-1 students returning from a Leave of Absence may be eligible for reactivation of their SEVIS record if they:

• Submitted their Leave of Absence Request to OIS on or before the first day of the semester.
• Remained abroad for the entire duration of their Leave of Absence.
• Have been out of status for less than five months.

SEVP ultimately determines whether the reactivation of the SEVIS record is warranted. If SEVP denies the reactivation request, students will need to request an Initial I-20 to return to the United States, which will affect eligibility for CPT/OPT. OIS cannot guarantee approval for the SEVIS reactivation.

F-1 SEVIS Record Reactivation Request Instructions

Step 1: Submit Reactivation Request

Submit the F-1 SEVIS Reactivation Request in Trojan International no earlier than 60 days before the semester you plan to return.

Step 2: Wait for OIS and SEVP to Review

OIS will review the reactivation request and submit a correction to SEVP on the student’s behalf. Allow SEVP up to 30 days to review the reactivation request.

Step 3: Receive Updated Form I-20 from OIS

If SEVP approves the reactivation request, OIS will sign the Form I-20 for travel and send it to the student’s USC email.

Step 4: Check Visa Validity

If the visa is still valid and unexpired, students may be able to use it along with their updated Form I-20 (with the same SEVIS ID) to enter the United States.

If the F‑1 visa has expired, students must apply for a new visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate using the updated Form I-20.

OIS cannot verify visa validity. Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate that issued the visa to confirm before traveling.

Canadian citizens are exempt from the F‑1 visa requirement.

Step 5: Travel to the United States

Students can enter the United States up to 30 days before the semester start date.

Step 6: Report to OIS

After arriving in the United States, students must report to OIS by completing Immigration Status Verification (ISV) in Trojan International. ISV must be completed to avoid a negative SEVIS termination. It is also required to remove the OIS55 hold, which blocks course registration.

Students will be required to upload copies of:

• Updated and signed USC I-20
• Valid passport
• Most recent I-94 (click “get most recent I-94” on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website)
• Travel history (click “view travel history” on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website)
• Valid F-1 visa stamp

OIS will remove the OIS55 hold within three business days after ISV is submitted if all required documents are complete and acceptable.

Step 7: Register for Classes

Students must register during their assigned time via Web Registration.

Full-time enrollment in degree-required courses is required, even for a summer session return.

Students who are ineligible for a SEVIS reactivation must request an Initial Attendance Form I-20 from OIS to resume their studies at USC. 

This type of I-20 creates a new SEVIS ID number and requires students to fulfill two academic semesters (fall and spring) upon return to regain eligibility for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT). 

Time spent in F-1 status before the Leave of Absence does not count toward the one academic year requirement for CPT/OPT eligibility when returning with an Initial I-20. Degree programs with internship or practicum requirements may be exempt from the one academic year requirement for CPT only. There is no exception to the one academic year requirement for OPT.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must request an Initial Attendance Form I-20 if they:

• Submitted their Leave of Absence Request after the first day of the semester.
• Were out of status for more than five months.
• Reentered the United States after their SEVIS record was terminated (even on a different visa).
• Are notified by OIS that they are ineligible for a SEVIS record reactivation.

How to Return to the United States With an Initial Attendance Form I-20

Step 1: Submit the Initial I-20 Request

Submit the Return to USC: Initial I-20 Request in Trojan International. You will need to upload proof of financial support that meets USC’s requirements. Proof of financial support must:

• Be issued within one year of the semester start date.
• Show sufficient funds for remaining tuition and living expenses.
  • Students with dependents must include $14,253 for a spouse and $7,127 per child.
  • Students with only one semester remaining must show proof of tuition for the final semester plus living expenses ($2,000 per month).

The request will be routed to the student’s academic or VGASP advisor for review. After the advisor responds, OIS will process the request. Once approved, the signed Form I-20 will be sent to the student’s USC email account.

Step 2: Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee

Students must pay the mandatory I-901 SEVIS fee online on fmjfee.com using the SEVIS ID listed on the Initial I-20. USC’s SEVIS School Code is listed under the “School Code and Approval Date” section on page 1 of the I-20.

Step 3: Check Visa Validity

If a student’s visa is still valid and unexpired, they may be able to use it along with their new Form I-20 to enter the United States.

If the F‑1 visa has expired, students must apply for a new visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate using the new Form I-20.

OIS cannot verify visa validity. Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate that issued the visa to confirm before traveling.

Canadian citizens are exempt from the F‑1 visa requirement.

Step 4: Travel to the United States

Students can enter the United States up to 30 days before the semester start date listed on the Initial Attendance Form I-20.

Step 5: Report to OIS

Upon arrival in the United States, students must report to OIS by completing Immigration Status Verification (ISV) in Trojan International. This is required to remove the OIS55 hold, which blocks course registration.

Students will be required to upload copies of:

• Signed USC Form I-20
• Valid passport
• Most recent I-94 (click “get most recent I-94” on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website)
• Travel history (click “view travel history” on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website)
• Valid F-1 visa stamp

OIS will remove the OIS55 hold within three business days after ISV is submitted if all required documents are complete and acceptable. 

Failure to complete ISV will result in a negative SEVIS termination and loss of F-1 status in the United States.

Step 6: Register for Classes

Students must register during their assigned time via Web Registration.

Full-time enrollment in degree-required courses is required, even for a summer session return.

J-1 students must speak with a J-1 advisor at OIS before returning from a Leave of Absence.

Yes. F-1 and J-1 students must also submit an OIS Leave of Absence Request in Trojan International to ensure their SEVIS record is updated accordingly.

Undergraduate students should maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. Graduate students should maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Students on academic probation or at risk of academic dismissal or disqualification should consult their academic advisor about their Leave of Absence eligibility. 

Students who must withdraw from classes mid-semester should consult with an OIS advisor before doing so.

If a student properly files the Leave of Absence with OIS, there should not be any negative implications for future visa applications. 

Typically, Leaves of Absence are authorized on a semester basis. Students may contact their academic advisor to extend their Leave of Absence for up to four semesters if needed.

Students who were not enrolled in a full course of study and did not file an OIS LOA Request on or before the first day of the semester are not eligible for a reactivation of their SEVIS record. They will need to request an Initial Attendance I-20 for their return to the United States.

Since your SEVIS record was already terminated for your previous semester’s Leave of Absence, no further action is required from an immigration perspective at this time. However, you must still work with your academic department to extend your Leave of Absence. Please consult your academic advisor for guidance on that process. 

When you’re ready to return from your Leave of Absence, make sure to submit the Return to USC: Initial I-20 Request in a timely manner in Trojan International.

Generally, yes — if you met the one academic year full-time enrollment requirement before your Leave of Absence, you may be eligible for F-1 work authorizations such as CPT or Pre-Completion OPT upon your return. However, this type of CPT or OPT eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis. We recommend attending drop-in advising to confirm your eligibility with an OIS advisor.

No. The five months begin on the day your I-20 is terminated, not when you depart the United States. I-20s are terminated on the add/drop deadline of the given semester. Therefore, if you take a Leave of Absence for the fall and return in the spring, you will be out of status for less than five months.

Yes. Please complete the return process with CSI first and then follow the OIS instructions to return. 

No. You can reenter the United States as early as 30 days before the semester begins if you have a valid F-1 visa.