Research or Study Abroad

F-1 and J-1  international students who wish to travel abroad to conduct research for their academic program must first consult with and get approval from their academic department. The expected duration of their time abroad should be determined before they depart from the United States.

In addition, graduate students should discuss any possible changes to their university funding (e.g., TA/RAships) with the USC Graduate School, as this could be affected while they are abroad.    

Students who will conduct research abroad in their final semester should also consult with OIS about how this could affect their Post-Completion OPT eligibility, as they must be in the United States when they file their OPT application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Once a student receives approval from their academic department to conduct research abroad, they must complete the Independent Student Travel Registration Form. If you have questions about this form, email stabroad@usc.edu.

To comply with immigration regulations, OIS must report scheduled travel related to research abroad to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security via SEVIS each semester. Students who will be out of the country for the majority of or the entire semester for research purposes will receive additional information in the Student Travel Abroad portal, including a link to the OIS Research/Study Abroad Request. Once OIS receives the completed form, the student’s SEVIS record will be updated to reflect approval to conduct research abroad for the upcoming semester. This will support a smooth reentry to the United States. Students who plan to extend their research abroad for more than one semester must enroll in a dissertation or directed research course and submit the Research/Study Abroad Request again. 

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they have valid reentry documents to facilitate their return to the United States.

F-1 and J-1 international students may participate in a USC study abroad program and maintain their immigration status. Students interested in studying abroad must complete the steps:

1. Confirm eligibility with academic department
2. Maintain F-1 or J-1 student status for at least one full academic term prior to the semester in which they will study abroad.
3. Be enrolled full-time at USC in the semester that they will study abroad.
4. Have a valid passport, F-1 or J-1 visa, and Form I-20 or DS-2019 with a valid r to return to the United States after the study abroad program ends.

Students who will study abroad in their final semester should also consult with OIS about how this could affect their Post-Completion OPT eligibility, as they must be in the United States when they file their OPT application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Once a student receives approval from their academic department to participate in study abroad, they must complete the Independent Student Travel Registration Form. If you have questions about this form, email stabroad@usc.edu.

Students considering studying abroad must meet with an OIS advisor before finalizing travel plans. To comply with immigration regulations, OIS must report scheduled travel related to study abroad to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security via SEVIS each semester. Students who will be out of the country for the majority of or the entire semester for study abroad purposes will receive additional information in the Student Travel Abroad portal, including a link to the OIS Research/Study Abroad Request. Once OIS receives the completed form, the student’s SEVIS record will be updated to reflect approval to participate in study abroad for the upcoming semester. This will support a smooth reentry to the United States.

Students who plan to extend their participation in the study abroad program must complete the process again of submitting the OIS Research/Study Abroad Request, as its OIS authorization is semester-based only. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they have valid reentry documents to facilitate their return to the United States.