International Student Services

Returning Students

Undergraduate Students | Graduate Students | Visas | After You Return to Seattle | Frequently Asked Questions

Students who are planning to return from a leave of absence are encouraged to watch the 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 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.

Travel

The new I-20 or DS-2019 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 or DS-2019. Make your travel plans accordingly.

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 the 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.

Note: Students returning from a leave of absence during the COVID-19 pandemic may not enroll in all online courses. As they will enter the U.S. on a new initial I-20, they must have at least one in-person course towards their full-time enrollment.

Undergraduate Students

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Gather financial support documents for your I-20 request. 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).
  4. Scan or take a photo of your passport biographical page.
  5. Log into your MyISSS profile to submit the Returning Student I-20 Request to International Student Services (ISS) 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. (Note: For winter quarter 2022, ISS will process returning student I-20s submitted by December 17, 2021 if students are fully registered in courses. Requests received after December 17 will be processed for a spring 2022 return.)
    Log-in to your MyISSS Profile
  6. 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.
  7. After you return to Seattle, you must upload scans/photos of your F-1 or J-1 documents to ISS. Check the instructions below in the After You Return to Seattle section.

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.

Graduate Students Returning After On-Leave Status

You may automatically register for the return quarter during the prescribed registration period. Follow procedures outlined below:

  1. 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 scans of your passport identification page and financial support documentation. 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). (Note: For winter quarter 2022, ISS will process returning student I-20s submitted by December 17, 2021 if students are fully registered in courses. Requests received after December 17 will be processed for a spring 2022 return.)

    Log-in to your MyISSS Profile

  2. 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.
  3. After you return to Seattle, you must upload scans/photos of your F-1 or J-1 documents to ISS. Check the instructions below in the After You Return to Seattle section.

Graduate Students Without On-Leave Status

  1. 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.
  2. The Graduate School GEMS office will process your returning student I-20. Log-in to your MyISSS Profile to submit your I-20 request.
  3. 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.
  4. After you return to Seattle, you must upload scans/photos of your F-1 or J-1 documents to ISS. Check the instructions below in the After You Return to Seattle section.

Visas

If your visa is still valid, you will not need to renew your visa regardless of the length of time outside the U.S.

If your visa has expired, apply for the visa in your 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.

After You Return to Seattle

After you return to Seattle, you must submit the immigration check-in request, including scans or photos of the following documents, via your MyISSS Profile before the beginning of your return quarter.

If you do not upload scans of your documents, we cannot verify your F-1 or J-1 status, and we cannot verify your return to the U.S. government–this endangers your immigration status!

Frequently Asked Questions

Undergraduates

Do I need to complete a Returning Student Request Form if I am outside the U.S. summer and fall quarters only?

No, but you do need to request a new I-20 or DS-2019 by completing the Returning Student I-20 Request. 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.

What happens if I am gone winter and spring quarters?

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.

To make things easier, can I simply send all of my application materials to ISS?

No, you must first submit the Returning Student Application and required fee to the Office of the University Registrar. Then complete the Returning Student I-20 Request to ISS.

Graduate Students

What is the difference between 'on-leave' and 'annual vacation quarter?'

“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.

Can I go on-leave for three quarters?

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.

I am planning to do research outside of the U.S. for more than five months. During that time I will be paid as an RA and registered for 10 credits each quarter. Do I need to apply for on-leave status?

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.

I have been out of the U.S. and on-leave for the past year. I will come back next month to defend my dissertation. Do I need a new I-20 or DS-2019?

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.