Leave of Absence

New rule effective Sept. 15, 2026: Fixed period of admission & extension of stay

Update on the DHS Fixed Period of Admission Rule: Implementation delayed

The DHS Fixed Period of Admission Final Rule (published July 17, 2026) was scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026. However, because of ongoing litigation, implementation of the rule has been delayed, and it will not take effect on that date. For now, the current regulations remain in place and continue to govern F and J for nonimmigrants. This means the existing duration of status system for F and J students and exchange visitors remains unchanged.

On July 17, 2026, the U.S. government published a final rule that creates a fixed admission end date for international students who hold F-1 and J-1 visa status. This rule changes the process for these students to extend their stays in the United States and adds other restrictions limiting the students’ ability to make academic changes. Re-entry to the U.S. on or after the September 15 effective date will result in the immediate assignment of a specific Admit Unitl Date (AUD); the benefit of the D/S transition provision is eliminated after that reentry.

Feel free to contact ISSS with questions. 

International students who are interested in taking an academic or medical leave of absence from the University of Colorado Boulder should review the linked webpages to understand the F-1 regulatory restrictions and requirements.

Applying for a Leave of Absence with ISSS

To request a leave of absence with ISSS you must complete the (ISSS) Leave of Absence or Withdrawal E-Form available in MyISSS portal.

In most cases, a non-immigrant student cannot remain in the United States in F-1 visa status if they are not enrolled full-time.

If you plan to take a leave of absence from CU Boulder, you must do one of the following:

  • Depart the United States,
  • Apply for a change of status to another immigration classification, or
  • Transfer your SEVIS record to another school.

Note: If you have F-2 dependents, they must also depart the U.S. or apply for a change of status if the F-1 student is on a leave of absence.

CU Boulder Academic Leave and Withdrawal Policies

For information about CU Boulder's withdrawal policies, please review the Office of the Registrar’s:

Graduate, Law and MBA Students

In addition to submitting the ISSS e-form, you must also apply for an academic leave of absence from the Graduate School if you will withdraw from or not enroll in classes for a fall or spring semester. Graduate students who do not apply for a leave of absence will be discontinued and must reapply to the university in order to return to CU Boulder.

Before you initiate the formal CU Boulder leave of absence or withdrawal process with the Office of the Registrar, you must consult with ISSS and receive an immigration-based approval for the leave of absence.

  • (ISSS) Leave of Absence or Withdrawal E-Form (available in MyISSS portal)

Medical Leave

If you are experiencing medical issues and are considering a leave of absence, please speak with an ISSS advisor about the Medical Reduced Course Load (RCL) option.

  • Submit the Leave of Absence e-Form (available in MyISSS portal) to request immigration approval for your leave
  • Review the Office of the Registrar’s information on Leave of Absences and complete the CU Withdrawal Form if you intend to withdraw from your courses
  • Calculate your 15-day grace period. At the end of the 15 days, you must have departed the U.S.
    • Your grace period begins when ISSS terminates your F-1 SEVIS record (and your F-2 dependents' records, if applicable). Please confirm the F-1 SEVIS termination date with ISSS.
  • Take steps to remove any holds on your academic record with CU
  • Enroll in a full course of study for the term you intend to return for
  • Resuming Course Work within 5 Months of Authorized Early Withdrawal: Complete the Return from a Temporary Absence e-Form (available in MyISSS portal) 60 days before you plan to return to the U.S. or apply for your F-1 visa (if necessary).
  • Resuming Course Work more than 5 Months After Authorized Early Withdrawal: Complete the Return from a Temporary Absence e-Form (available in MyISSS portal) at least 3 to 4 months prior to the start of classes.
    • Students who will be returning on an initial entry I-20 issued after an absence of five or months will be required to upload financial support documentation in the Return from a Temporary Absence e-Form.
  • Your current F-1 SEVIS record (and your F-2 dependents' records, if applicable) will be terminated when ISSS processes your CU Withdrawal Form and Leave of Absence e-Form (available in MyISSS portal). 
  • ISSS can only request a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) SEVIS record reactivation if:
    • You were maintaining F-1 status through full-time enrollment and attendance at the time you requested and received approval for a leave of absence;
    • You left the U.S. within 15 days of your F-1 SEVIS record being terminated; and
    • You will return to the US and will be enrolled in a full course of study within 5 months of your last date of class attendance in the U.S.
  • You must submit the Return from a Temporary Absence e-Form (available in MyISSS portal) to ISSS within 60 days of when you will resume course work to request reactivation of your F-1 SEVIS record.
    • ISSS can only request reactivation of your F-1 record if you were maintaining F-1 status at the time you requested the leave of absence from CU including attending class and you received approval from ISSS for the leave of absence before you withdrew from the university.
    • It is up to the discretion of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) adjudicator whether or not to approve the reactivation request. Even if you meet the requirements listed above, ISSS cannot guarantee your F-1 record will be reactivated.
    • If your reactivation is not approved, you will need to submit new financial support documentation so ISSS can create a new SEVIS record and I-20 for you. You will have to pay the SEVIS Fee. If your F-1 visa will still be valid when you seek re-entry to the United States, SEVP guidance  indicates that you should not need to apply for a new visa. Sponsored students should speak with their sponsored student advisor about whether a new visa will be needed.
  • Do not re-enter the U.S. until you have received confirmation from ISSS that your F-1 record has been reactivated.
  • If your reactivation is approved and your absence is for less than 5 months and you have a valid travel signature, you may use your current I-20 form to re-enter the U.S. (a travel signature is valid if it is less than 1 year old form your date of re-entry).
  • You may be eligible for OPT/CPT if you have been fully enrolled for at least an academic year (fall and spring semester) prior to taking a leave of absence and your F-1 SEVIS record is successfully reactivated.

NOTE: If you are having medical issues and are considering taking a leave of absence, please talk with an ISSS advisor about Medical Reduced Course Load requirements.

  • If you are absent from the U.S. for more than 5 months, you will need to return on a new F-1 program. A new SEVIS record (with a new SEVIS number) will be created along with a new initial attendance I-20.
  • Submit the Return from a Leave of Absence e-Form (available in MyISSS portal) at least 3 to 4 months before you plan to return to the U.S. to resume your course work or before you plan to apply for your F-1 visa (if necessary) in order for ISSS to issue a new initial attendance I-20.
    • You will be required to upload new financial documentation in the e-form .
  • Using your new F-1 I-20 form with your new SEVIS ID number you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. 
  • If your F-1 visa will still be valid when you seek re-entry to the United States, SEVP guidance  indicates that you should not need to apply for a new visa. Sponsored students should speak with their sponsored student advisor about whether a new visa will be needed.
  • After returning on your new SEVIS program, you will not be eligible for CPT or OPT until after you have been in-status and fully enrolled for one full academic year (fall and spring semester).
  • You will not be able to re-enter the U.S. more than 30 days prior to the start date of your new F-1 program as reflected on your new I-20.
  • You will be required to upload new financial documentation in the e-form