Absence/Departure from Penn

The Absence or Withdrawal Form is found in iPenn.

IMPORTANT: Do not use this eform if you will be outside the United States only during regular school breaks.

Your ability to remain in the US is dictated by your immigration status and reason for departure. Depending on the circumstances, the period for departure can be from 0-15 days and commences the day following the date of withdrawal or absence from Penn. You may not work during this period.

• F-1 students submit a notification to ISSS prior to an absence or withdrawal from Penn are permitted 15 days to prepare for departure and leave the United States. 

• F-1 students who do not inform ISSS prior to taking a leave must leave the US immediately.

• F-1 students who are academically dropped or otherwise suspended must leave the US immediately.

• J-1 students who take an absence or early withdrawal from a program must leave the US immediately.

This is the return procedure if:

• You will be outside the US for less than 5 months and

• ISSS approved your departure in SEVIS as an "authorized early withdraw"

You must provide ISSS with:

• Your travel history page from your electronic I-94 record (for exit date)

• Copy of your flight itinerary to confirm planned reentry date to the U.S.

• Immediate full time enrollment for the returning term (students return in May or June have to enroll full time during the summer term)

ISSS will then:

• Submit a correction request in SEVIS to make your record active again.

• This can be done up to 60 days prior to the semester start date. 

NOTE:  

• The processing time for correction requests may be lengthy.  Plan to submit the requested information to ISSS at least 45-60 days prior to the semester start date.

• You must notify ISSS in advance of any change in your travel plans. 

• You must resume full-time study immediately upon returning to the U.S.

A new I-20/DS-2019 is required for re-entry to the US:

• If you have been outside the U.S. for more than five months or;

• Your departure was not approved by ISSS as an Authorized Early Withdraw

At least 3-4 months before your intended return, contact your academic department or school (usually the academic advising unit) and ask them to update your records in the Path@Penn to verify:

• your return term/date (e.g., Fall semester 2024); and

• your expected completion term/date (e.g., Spring 2026)

• ISSS will use the expected completion date in  to determine the end date on your new I-20 or DS-2019. Be sure to clarify the proper date with your department/school and make sure any necessary updates are made.

• If you had been suspended, make sure that any holds on your Path@Penn record have been lifted by the appropriate office.

• Make sure you have no outstanding Penn bills and your Student Registration & Financial Services (SRFS) record has no holds.

After confirming that your SRFS and Path@Penn records are clear, and that the aforementioned updates have been made in Path@Penn:

• Log-in to iPenn to submit the application for a new I-20/DS-2019

  • You will need to submit an application for a new I-20 or DS-2019, as you did when you first came to Penn.

  • Moreover, ISSS will need new financial documents certifying funds for your studies

  • Please allow at least 3 weeks processing time for a new I-20 or DS-2019

• You must pay the SEVIS fee based on your new I-20/DS-2019 with a new SEVIS ID number.

  • Instructions will be sent with your new I-20/DS-2019.  Information can be found at here.

• Apply for a new US Entry Visa (if needed):

  • For information on this process visit the Travel section of this site. 

  • Citizens of Canada and Bermuda EXEMPT

  • If your previous F-1 visa remains valid, you do not have to apply for a new visa.

• Return to the US

  • You may not enter the U.S. more than 30 days prior to the program start date listed on the new I-20 or DS-2019. 

  • If you encounter any delays in arriving by the start date indicated on the new I-20 or DS-2019, contact ISSS prior to the new program start date.

• You MUST report to ISSS and upon re-entry with your immigration documents

F-1 STUDENTS ONLY: Since there has been a break in your F-1 immigration status, after returning from LOA, you will need to complete an academic year of full-time study prior to becoming eligible for certain F-1 benefits, such as off-campus employment authorization (CPT, OPT, etc.) For more information, please contact ISSS.

• Visit the U.S. State Department

• Sometimes bills and other important documents don't reach you. Check with all appropriate units at Penn, including:

  • your academic advising unit 

  • Student Registration & Financial Services

  • on-campus housing

  • and/or the Center for Community Standards and Accountability

• Unsettled matters may impede you from registering for classes.

If you are already in the US in another status and plan to apply for a change of status, please meet with an ISSS advisor as soon as possible. 

For more information, please contact ISSS.