Taking a Temporary Leave or Withdrawing from SF State

1. Email a signed F-1 Status Time Off Request Form (TORF) (PDF, 298KB) to f1@sfsu.edu from your SF State email account.  We accept digital signatures, scanned copies, and high resolution/clear pictures of the completed form.  See deadline to submit your TORF.
2. You will receive a confirmation email from OIP within 5 business days.
3. You must leave the U.S. within 15 days after submitting your TORF.  Your SEVIS record will be terminated and your current I-20 is no longer valid.  
4. Students who are taking off two consecutive semesters must re-apply for admissions.

F-1 students who plan to take one semester off AND will be physically out of the U.S. for more than 5 months must request new I-20s from OIP in order to return to the U.S. 

Step 1: Request a temporary leave:

1. Email a signed F-1 Status Time Off Request Form (TORF) (PDF, 298KB) to f1@sfsu.edu from your SF State email account.  We accept digital signatures, scanned copies, and high resolution/clear pictures of the completed form.  See deadline to submit your TORF.
2. You will receive a confirmation email from OIP within 5 business days.
3. You must leave the U.S. within 15 days after submitting your TORF.  Your SEVIS record will be terminated and your current I-20 is no longer valid.  

Step 2: Request a new I-20

You can request a new I-20 after your enrollment appointment is assigned in the Student Center for the next semester.  To request a new I-20, email the following documents to f1@sfsu.edu from your SF State email account.  Include your full name and SF State student ID in your email to OIP.   An F-1 international student advisor will review your request and issue a new I-20 within 5 business days. 

1. A signed I-20 Request Form   (PDF, 129 KB)
2. A signed Financial Affidavit  (PDF, 185 KB)
3. A bank letter verifying you or your sponsor(s) have sufficient funds to support your study in the U.S. for at least one academic year.  You can find the minimum amount of funds that you are required to show on the Financial Affidavit.  Your sponsor(s) can either sign the "4. Sponsor Agreement" section of the Financial Affidavit or provide a signed Sponsor's letter .  See template (Microsoft Word, 12.1KB)

Step 3: Register for classes

You can register for classes while waiting for the I-20.

1. Clear all your registration holds and register classes during your enrollment appointment.
2. After you receive the new I-20, pay $350 I-901 SEVIS fee using the new SEVIS ID number on your I-20.
3. Apply for a new F-1 visa at an U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country if your current F-1 visa has expired.

Step 4: Report your return

Email f1@sfsu.edu when you return to the U.S.  If you fail to inform OIP your return in a timely manner, your I-20 will be canceled and you will be considered out of status.

What You Need to Know

1. You won’t be eligible to apply for any off-campus employment such as OPT, CPT, and Economic Hardship for one academic year upon your return.
2. The semester you are coming back should be either Spring or Fall semester (No Summer or Winter).  Also, you can only return to the U.S. within 30 days of the “First Day of Instruction” indicated on the University Academic Calendar.

• You will be physically out of the U.S. for less than 5 months

AND

• The gap between the last day of attendance and first day of next semester is less than 5 months

Here are two scenarios:

Scenario 1: Take the entire semester off/no plan to enroll

Scenario 2: Enroll full time and withdraw from school in the middle of the semester

Here are the steps to request a temporary leave:

Step 1: Request a temporary leave:

1. Email a signed F-1 Status Time Off Request Form (TORF) (PDF, 298KB) to f1@sfsu.edu from your SF State email account.  We accept digital signatures, scanned copies, and high resolution/clear pictures of the completed form.  See deadline to submit TORF.
2. You will receive a confirmation email from OIP within 5 business days.
3. You must leave the U.S. within 15 days after submitting TORF.  Your SEVIS record will be terminated and your current I-20 is no longer valid.  

Step 2: Register for classes

1. Check your enrollment appointment in Student Center. 
2. Clear all your registration holds and register for classes during your enrollment appointment.

Step 3: Request your SEVIS record to be set back to "Active" status

1. Inform OIP of your return date at least 60 days before the “First Day of Instruction” indicated on the University Academic Calendar.  
2. Email a signed Financial Affidavit (PDF, 185 KB) and a bank letter verifying you or your sponsor have sufficient funds to support your study in the U.S. for at least one academic year to f1@sfsu.edu.  You can find the minimum amount of funds that you are required to show on the Financial Affidavit.  We accept digital signatures, scanned copies, and high resolution/clear pictures of the completed form.  Include your full name and SF State student ID in your email to OIP.
3. OIP sends a request to U.S. Immigration to reactivate your SEVIS record.  It might take approximately 3 weeks for the request to be approved.
4. You will be notified by OIP as soon as your SEVIS record is in Active status.  You will be able to return to the U.S. with your I-20

*If you enter the U.S. on a different visa (ex. Tourist visa) during your temporary leave, your SEVIS record can’t be reactivated and you will have to follow the procedure for temporary leave for more than 5 months.

Step 4: Report your return

Email f1@sfsu.edu when you return to the U.S.  If you fail to inform OIP your return in a timely manner, your I-20 will be canceled and you will be considered out of status.

Students can enroll full-time or part-time outside the U.S. in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semester. Students who plan to enroll part-time in Spring 2021 must complete the F-1 Status Time Off Request Form (TORF) (PDF, 298KB) since you will be taking a tempoary leave from your F-1 status (not from SF State because you are still enrolled, and your enrollment will count towards your degree progress).  

Email a signed F-1 Status Time Off Request Form (TORF) to f1@sfsu.edu from your SF State email account.  We accept digital signatures, scanned copies, and high resolution/clear pictures of the completed form.  See deadline to submit TORF.

Remember to complete the following steps before leaving the U.S.:

Step 1: Withdraw from classes

You can withdraw from all the classes AFTER you meet with an F-1 international student advisor and obtain TORF approval.  Complete the Withdrawal Petition (current classes or semester - used after drop deadline) or Withdrawal Card (used during first two weeks of current semester).  Submit this form to the Registrar’s counter at One Stop, Student Service Building.

Step 2: Tuition refund (if eligible)

Complete the Refund Request for Tuition and Fees form.  Submit this form to the Bursar’s counter at One Stop, Student Service Building or first floor of the Administration Building.  Only request refund AFTER you withdraw from all the classes.

Step 3: Cancel health insurance

Contact Relation's customer service at at csseligibilityteam@relationinsurance.com and request a refund (only if you haven't made any claims).  Only request refund AFTER you withdraw from all the classes and physically outside the U.S.