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Who is a returning student?
A student who previously attended the University of Washington’s Seattle campus and intends to return to Seattle to resume their studies is considered a returning student. Learn more by watching our Returning Students Video Series, which takes you through an overview and pathways A and B of returning to the U.S.
General Information
Students returning to the University of Washington after an extended absence to complete the degree program in which they were previously enrolled must follow certain procedures. When considering a return to the UW, students should allow enough time to receive a new I-20 or DS-2019 and apply for a new visa, if required.
Eligibility for Benefits
Students will regain eligibility for benefits such as Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) only after completing three full-time quarters after returning with the new SEVIS record.
Full-Time Registration
Students must register full-time in their first quarter back, this includes summer quarter. For undergraduates, “full-time” is defined as 12 credits. Graduates: please consult a DSO to discuss full-time requirements. Usually “full-time” is defined as 10 credits, with some exceptions.
How to Apply: Undergraduates
Learn if you are required to submit a Returning Student Application to the Office of the University Registrar (OUR). Review the OUR Returning Student Process information. Students not enrolled for two consecutive academic quarters or more, excluding summer, must submit a Returning Student Application to OUR. Note the OUR application deadlines. Questions about whether you must submit a Returning Student Request Form? Email regoff@uw.edu.
Are you required to submit a Returning Student Request Form to OUR?
- If yes: complete the OUR Returning Student Request Form. After you receive the OUR email with Enrollment Confirmation instructions, proceed to step 3 to request an I-20 from ISS.
- If no: proceed to step 3 to request an I-20 from ISS.
Complete the Returning Student I-20 Request in MyISSS approximately three months before your intended return. You must enroll full-time and request the I-20 at least 20 days prior to your intended return quarter. Applications submitted late will be processed for the following (not upcoming) quarter. As part of this process, you will need the following items:
- Financial support documents. The financial documentation must show enough funds to pay for at least three quarters of expenses (unless you are requesting an I-20 for only one or two quarters).
- Scan of your passport biographical page.
- Proof of enrollment or readmission to the UW
Please allow 3-4 weeks for ISS to process your request and issue your new I-20. The new document will be an “initial entry” document; this means that students can enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days before the start date printed on the I-20. Make your travel plans accordingly.
Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee after you receive your new I-20 or DS-2019. This is required when a new SEVIS record is created. Carry the receipt to your visa interview, if applicable, and when you travel to the U.S.
After you return to Seattle, you must complete the Immigration Check-in in your MyISSS portal. You can review this process through the F-1 and J-1 Post-arrival Checklists.
How to Apply: Graduate Students
Graduate students are required to maintain graduate student status during their program of study. Failure to maintain this status requires reinstatement to the University of Washington. Review Graduate On-Leave Status for on-leave eligibility, the procedure for requesting leave, and information about reinstatement.
If you wish to resume studies within the same degree program you must file a request for academic reinstatement to the Graduate School approximately three months before your intended return. Once approved for reinstatement you will be prompted to pay the $250 reinstatement fee to the Graduate School. After this is paid, the Graduate School will process your academic reinstatement into your graduate program.
Log into your MyISSS Profile to submit the online Returning Student I-20 Request to International Student Services (ISS) approximately three months before your intended return. Applications submitted within 20 days of the quarter start date will be processed for the next quarter. You will need to upload the following items:
- Financial support documents. The financial documentation must show enough funds to pay for at least three quarters of expenses (unless you are requesting an I-20 for only one or two quarters).
- Scan of your passport biographical page.
- Proof of enrollment or proof of grad on leave with UW
Please allow 3-4 weeks for ISS to process your request and issue your new I-20. The new document will be an “initial entry” document; this means that students can enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days before the start date printed on the I-20. Make your travel plans accordingly.
Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee after you receive your new I-20 or DS-2019. This is required when a new SEVIS record is created. Carry the receipt to your visa interview, if applicable, and when you travel to the U.S.
After you return to Seattle, you must complete the Immigration Check-in in your MyISSS portal. You can review this process through the F-1 and J-1 Post-arrival Checklists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Students whose visa has expired must apply for the visa in their home country, unless circumstances or travel plans make this impossible, and anticipate delays in visa issuance due to enhanced security reviews. U.S. consulates require in-person interviews for most visa applicants. You are encouraged to schedule the visa interview appointment as early as possible. The U.S. Department of State maintains an excellent website on the visa application process, and it should be studied carefully. You can also find information about how long it will take to get your visa.
No, but you do need to request a new I-20 or DS-2019 by submitting the Returning Student I-20 Request form through MyISSS. F-1 students who are outside of the U.S. for more than five months and not registered full-time are required to obtain a new I-20 prior to returning to the U.S.
Students gone for two or more quarters, summer quarter excluded, are required to apply for a new I-20 from the ISS Office and to submit a Returning Student Request Form to the Office of the University Registrar.
“On-Leave” is a Graduate School policy pertaining to students who are not registered for one or more quarters (excluding summer). Graduate students may apply to go on-leave for one quarter, one year, or longer. When planning to go on-leave, F-1 and J-1 students must also consider the effect on their F-1 or J-1 status.
“Annual vacation quarter” is an immigration concept. Students are eligible for a vacation quarter after having completed three consecutive full-time quarters and if they intend to register full-time the quarter following the vacation.
Yes, but you may only remain in the U.S. during that time if you also fit one of the exceptions to the full-time registration rule for F-1 and J-1 students. Otherwise you must plan to stay outside the U.S. during your on-leave period and apply for a new SEVIS record and I-20 when you want to return.
No, as long as you are registered you do not need to apply for on-leave status. In addition, because your SEVIS record will remain active, you do not need to request a new I-20 or DS-2019 prior to your return.
Yes, it is advised that you enter the U.S. in student status, even if just to defend your dissertation. To request a new I-20 or DS-2019, log-in to your MyISSS profile and complete the Returning Student I-20 Request.