{"id":976,"date":"2024-05-08T09:13:51","date_gmt":"2024-05-08T13:13:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/iso\/?page_id=976"},"modified":"2026-06-26T12:31:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T16:31:09","slug":"leave-of-absence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/iso\/current-students\/maintaining-status\/leave-of-absence\/","title":{"rendered":"Leave of Absence"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":556,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"class_list":["post-976","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":{"lead_in":"","display_title":"Leave of Absence","subtitle":"","call_to_action":"","hero_image_placement":"no_image","hero_media":"images","hero_pattern_option":"","hero_video":"","hero_image_landing":"","hero_image_landing_two":"","hero_image_landing_three":"","content_modules":[{"acf_fc_layout":"text","anchor":"","css_class":"mt-0 pt-15","title":"","content":"F-1 and J-1 students may need to take a Leave of Absence (LOA) from their studies for various reasons, such as personal or family matters, medical issues, or to pursue non-academic study or work opportunities abroad. A LOA is different from a suspension or expulsion, which involve mandatory interruptions to your studies due to academic or conduct-related issues. In contrast, a LOA is typically voluntary and does not impact your eligibility to return to school in the future.\r\n\r\nYou should request a LOA if you need to take more time off than would be allowed by the exceptions to the full-time enrollment requirements<\/a>.","background_color":"#ffffff","width":"width-medium"},{"acf_fc_layout":"card_grid","anchor":"","css_class":"","title":"

Leave of absence process<\/h2>","description":"Start discussing plans for a potential LOA in detail with an\u00a0ISO advisor<\/a>\u00a0as early as possible. ISO will help determine the most appropriate reporting for your F-1 or J-1 record. This will be based on the arrangements you make with your specific school, division, or program at the University.\r\n
    \r\n \t
  1. Consult with your academic department<\/li>\r\n \t
  2. Inform ISO of your LOA request by submitting the Temporary Leave of Absence e-form<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>","background_color":"#FFFFFF","width":"width-medium","columns":"2","cards":null},{"acf_fc_layout":"card_grid","anchor":"","css_class":"","title":"

    Impact on immigration status<\/h2>","description":"If you request a leave of absence while you are outside the United States, you are generally not eligible to return once the leave goes into effect. Additionally, if your leave of absence is approved and you are no longer maintaining your F-1 or J-1 status, you will be granted a 15-day grace period to depart the U.S. It is important to make travel arrangements immediately to ensure you leave within the allowed timeframe and remain in compliance with immigration regulations.\r\n\r\nIn most cases, the LOA requires a termination of your current F-1 or J-1 record. This triggers a limited grace period<\/a> to leave the U.S. or request permission to stay here in another status.","background_color":"#f4f4f4","width":"width-medium","columns":"2","cards":null},{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion_new","anchor_id":"","classes":"","title":"

    Returning to your studies<\/h2>","description":"The process to return will differ depending on how long you were outside the U.S. Please review the information below to determine which process is most appropriate for your situation.","background":"plain","background_color":"#ffffff","style":"row_blank","expand":"no","accordions":[{"acf_fc_layout":"accordion","accordion_title":"Short-term LOA (fewer than 5 months)","icon":"","row_content":"If you take a leave of absence, leave the US, and return to your studies within five months, it may be possible to reactivate your current F-1 or J-1 record before you return. Generally, this five-month limit is calculated using your last and next dates of academic enrollment.\r\n\r\nWhen you are prepared to return, use the Return from Leave of Absence<\/a> e-form to confirm that arrangements are made with the appropriate school (or division, program, etc.) and that the date you\u2019re expected to enroll. ISO can submit a correction request that your SEVIS record be changed back to active status up to 60 days before you resume your studies.\r\n\r\nAs a result:\r\n