Traveling Abroad for 5 Months or More  

If you are a WSU student who held F-1 visa status in the U.S. and currently you are studying abroad or on a leave of absence, THIS NOTICE APPLIES TO YOU. You need to know your absence from the U.S. affects your visa status and future employment opportunities in the U.S.

An F-1 student who has been absent from the U.S. for more than five consecutive months is considered by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) to have abandoned his/her F-1 status. Reentry into the U.S. as an F-1 student after a five-month or longer absence is considered an initial, completely new, admission and requires the issuance of a new I-20 Form. DO NOT, repeat do not, attempt to use the I-20 form already in your possession. Use only the new I-20 form we will send you t your request.
 

When you return to WSU, you must bring your passport and visa documents to our office for us to check. We will review your documentation for any errors that the immigration officials may have made when processing your entry.
 

In addition, please be advised that students who have abandoned their F-1 status postpone their eligibility for any benefits (such as practical training employment) which require an individual to be a full-time student in valid nonimmigrant status for nine months. These benefits are unavailable to students who have abandoned their F-1 status until they have completed a new nine-month course of study.

If you have questions about this matter, please contact the University Center for International Education.