Leave of Absence: How to Pause and Resume Your Studies

• Requesting a Leave of Absence

  
  Requesting a Leave of Absence

  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.

  Once your request is reviewed, VIS will terminate your SEVIS record for the positive reason “Authorized Early Withdrawal (AEW).” This termination reason should not negatively impact your ability to return to Stony Brook in a future semester.

  After SEVIS termination, you will have 15 days to depart the U.S.

• Returning to Campus

  
  Returning to Campus

  F-1 students returning to Stony Brook University after a leave of absence or period of remote study outside the United States, whether for medical, military, or personal reasons, must request a new or updated Form I-20 before returning to campus.

  To ensure timely processing, begin this process at least three months before your planned return to the U.S.

  Important Considerations

  If you have been outside the U.S. for less than five months:

  • You may be eligible to have your SEVIS record reactivated and an updated Form I-20 with a valid travel signature issued.
  • Please note: SEVIS reactivation is not guaranteed and is granted at the discretion of SEVP. Requests for reactivation can only be submitted within 60 days of the semester start date.

  If you have been outside the U.S. for more than five months:

  • You are required to request a new Form I-20 (with a new SEVIS ID), pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee again, and apply for a new F-1 visa if your current visa has expired or will expire before your return.
  • The five-month period is calculated from the date you departed the U.S. to the date you plan to reenter.

  how to apply

  Step 1: Contact Your Academic Office

  Undergrads: Contact the Registrar’s Office to confirm whether you must rematriculate. If required, complete the Undergraduate Rematriculation Form available on the Registrar's website.

  Masters and PhD Students: Contact the Graduate School to confirm is reactivation is needed. If required, submit the Readmission Form to your academic program.

  Step 2: Register Full-Time for the Upcoming Semester

  You must be registered full-time before a Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility) can be issued.

  • Undergrads: Register in at least 12 credits for the upcoming semester.
    • • If returning for the summer term, you must enroll in at least 6 credits per session, including at least 3 credits in person or hybrid. Students beginning in Summer Session II must still meet these same enrollment requirements for that session.
  • Masters and PhD Students: Register for a minimum of 9 credits for the upcoming semester.
    • • If returning for the summer term, you must enroll in at least 4.5 credits per session, including at least 3 credits in person or hybrid. Students beginning in Summer Session II must still meet these same enrollment requirements for that session.

  Click here for information on how and when to enroll.

  Step 3: Complete the Request to Return to Campus eform in accessVIS

  Submit the respective Request to Return to Campus in accessVIS.

  After submission a verification link will be sent to your General Academic Advising Unit (undergraduates only) and/or Program Coordinator/Director to confirm your academic standing and expected completion date.

  If your Net ID has expired, request a Limited Services PIN.

  Step 4: VIS Review and I-20 Issuance

  Once academic verification is received, your request will be routed to Visa and Immigration Services (VIS) for review.

  • Allow 5–7 business days for processing.
  • If submitting a last-minute request, notify both your advising unit and your VIS advisor directly to request expedited review.
  • If approved, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access your new or updated Form I-20 in accessVIS.