Study or Research Abroad

If you will be studying abroad for a semester or more, please follow the instructions below to maintain your U.S. immigration record in your absence:

1. Consult with your academic advisor or academic department and obtain approval to engage in study abroad.
2. Register full-time during your study abroad.
   • Undergraduate students must register for at least 12 credits. Graduate students must register for at least 9 credits.
   • If you are studying abroad in your final semester and need less than a full-time course load to complete your academic program requirements, please submit a Reduced Course Load request for your last semester of study.
3. Complete the Study Abroad Request in iGlobal in order to be issued an updated I-20 with study abroad remarks.
4. Once the request is approved, you will receive an updated I-20 by email with an electronic signature.

If you will be engaging in study abroad for more than one semester, you must complete the steps above for each semester of your study abroad.

You should use the new I-20, which will have an updated travel signature, to re-enter the United States at the end of your semester or year abroad.

If you are engaging in study abroad in the last semester of your academic program and plan to apply for post-completion OPT, you must return to the United States in F-1 status by the program end date on your I-20 or you will not be eligible for OPT employment authorization. Your application must received by USCIS no later than the end of your 60-day grace period.

Visa Reminder

Check the expiration date of your F-1 visa. If your visa has expired or will expire during your study abroad, you must renew the visa before returning to the United States.

Tax Reminder

If you are studying abroad in the spring semester, keep in mind that you must still meet tax-filing requirements if you were in the United States at any time in the prior calendar year.

If you will be conducting research abroad for a semester or more, please follow the instructions below to maintain your U.S. immigration record in your absence.

1. Consult with your academic advisor or academic department and obtain approval to engage in research abroad activities.
2. Register full-time during your semester abroad.
• Undergraduate students must register for at least 12 credits. Graduate students must register for at least 9 credits.
• If you are conducting research abroad in your final semester of study and need less than a full-time course load to complete your academic program requirements, please submit a Reduced Course Load request for your last semester of study.
3. Complete the Research Abroad request on iGlobal in order to be issued a new I-20 with research abroad remarks.
• ISSS will update your SEVIS record to indicate you will be doing research abroad and update your I-20.
• The new I-20 will have an updated travel signature. You should use this new I-20 to re-enter the United States.
4. Once your request is approved, you will receive an updated I-20 by email with an electronic signature.

If you will be engaging in research abroad for more than one semester, you must complete the steps outlined above for each semester of your research abroad activities.

If you are engaging in research abroad in the last semester of your academic program and plan to apply for post-completion OPT, you must return to the United States in F-1 status by the last day of classes of the semester, or you will not be eligible for OPT employment authorization. You are also advised to attend an ISSS OPT workshop before engaging in research abroad in your final semester and to prepare your application as early as possible upon your return. Your application must be received by USCIS no later than the end of your 60-day grace period.

Visa Reminder

Check the expiration date of your F-1 visa. If your visa has expired or will expire during your research abroad, you must renew the visa before returning to the United States.

Tax Reminder

If you are researching abroad in the spring semester, keep in mind that you must meet tax-filing obligations if you were in the United States at any time in the prior calendar year.

Please inform ISSS if you plan to do study or conduct research abroad. We will review your eligibility and tell you how to keep your J-1 status active while you are outside of the United States.

If you are studying or conducting research abroad in the last semester of your academic program and plan to apply for post-completion academic training, you must return to the United States in J-1 status by the DS-2019 program end date, or you will not be eligible for academic training employment authorization. Also keep in mind that you must complete the process for academic training authorization no later than your DS-2019 program end date.

Visa Reminder

Check the expiration date of your J-1 visa. If your visa has expired or will expire during your study or research abroad, you must renew the visa before returning to the United States. 

Tax Reminder

If you are studying or researching abroad in the spring semester, keep in mind that you must still meet tax-filing requirements if you were in the United States at any time in the prior calendar year.