Revised 9/19/2025
- I already declared a Leave of Absence (LOA) with my academic department. Do I need to do anything else?
Yes. F-1 and J-1 students must also submit an OIS LOA Request via Trojan International to ensure their SEVIS record is updated accordingly.
- To be eligible for an LOA, it says I need to be in good academic standing. What does that mean?
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 LOA eligibility with their academic advisor.
- Can I take a LOA mid-semester?
Students who must withdraw from classes mid-semester should consult their plans with an OIS advisor prior to withdrawing from classes.
- Will a LOA negatively impact any future U.S. visa applications (e.g. H1B, Permanent Residency)?
If a student properly files the LOA with OIS, there should not be any negative implications with future visa applications.
- How many LOAs am I permitted to take?
Typically, LOAs are authorized on a semester basis. Students can contact their academic advisor to extend their LOA up to four semesters if needed.
- The OIS website states that an approved LOA request must be received by the first day of the semester. I submitted my request a few days past the deadline. Since my LOA is less than five months, am I still eligible to request reactivation of my F-1 SEVIS record?
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 U.S.
- I was approved for an LOA for the previous semester and would like to extend it. What’s the process?
Since your SEVIS record was already terminated for your previous semester’s LOA, no further action is required from an immigration perspective at this time. However, you must still work with your academic department to extend your LOA. Please consult your academic advisor for guidance on that process. When you’re ready to return from your LOA, be sure to log in to Trojan International and submit the Return to USC: Initial I-20 Request in a timely manner.
- I took an LOA and my SEVIS record was reactivated to facilitate my return to the U.S. Since I’m returning on the same SEVIS record (same SEVIS ID number) and I’ve met the one academic year requirement prior to my LOA, would I be eligible for CPT in my first semester after returning?
Generally, yes — if you met the one academic year full-time enrollment requirement before your LOA, 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 OIS Drop-In Advising to confirm your eligibility with an OIS advisor.
- I departed the US for summer break and now want to take an LOA in the Fall semester and return in Spring. Does that mean I’m out of status for more than 5 months?
No. The 5 months begins on the day your I-20 is terminated, not when you depart the US. I-20’s are terminated on the add/drop deadline of the given semester. Therefore, if you take an LOA for Fall and return in Spring, you will be out of status for less than 5 months.