Traveling Outside of the United States

International students in F-1 status must maintain their immigration status at all times while studying in the United States. The purpose of F-1 status is to study. Leaving the United States during an active class session can interrupt your studies and may lead to academic and immigration consequences. Any travel during active class session will result in an Authorized Early Withdrawal being placed on your SEVIS record, allowing a temporary leave from the United States.

Important: Students must notify both their Designated School Official (DSO) and Academic Advisor before leaving the United States during active class session. Leaving the United States without prior approval during an active class session can result in course withdrawal, SEVIS termination and future immigration complications.

F-1 students may travel outside of the United States; however, travel during a required, active academic session requires prior authorization from Trine's Office of International Services.

Students who plan to travel during a class session must request and receive approval for an Authorized Early Withdrawal (AEW) before departing. An AEW termination is SEVIS indicates that a student has temporarily stopped their studies with DSO authorization while still in valid status. The student is granted a 15-day grace period to depart the U.S. or make appropriate arrangements, and the SEVIS record reflects that they followed proper procedures rather than violating status. These requests can be submitted through our .

Students who leave the United States during an active class session without authorization may be withdrawn from courses and have their SEVIS record terminated for Unauthorized Early Withdrawal.

This policy applies to international students in F-1 status with an active SEVIS record.

Students planning to apply for F-1 status in the future should also understand that travel during active class sessions may create complications for future immigration benefits.

You must communicate with your DSO and Academic Advisor before leaving the United States.

  • If you notify our offices before departing, you may be processed as an Authorized Early Withdrawal (AEW).
  • If you leave without telling our offices, your SEVIS record may be terminated for Unauthorized Early Withdrawal (UEW).

A UEW termination can create serious difficulty for future visa applications, future travel and re-entry to the United States.

Students experiencing an emergency must contact their DSO and Academic Advisor before departing the United States.

Travel during an active academic session still requires AEW authorization. Students should understand that:

  • They will have the option to either pursue their studies or switch to a fully online class delivery while they are outside of the United States.
  • They will not be eligible to return until 30 days prior to the next academic term.

Re-entry to the United States is never guaranteed and is subject to federal regulations.

Students should travel only during official school breaks, when classes are not in session.

  • Winter break
  • Summer vacation, only if the student is not enrolled in seated or in-person courses
  • Break between terms, students must be back in the United States prior to the second term beginning.

Students should always return to the United States before classes resume. Failure to do this can result in re-entry complications and potential visa cancellation. Students traveling internationally are doing so at their own risk. 深夜福利高清 cannot override visa revocations or other actions preventing re-entry into the United States from CBP.

Travel during an active class session is not recommended, even for a short weekend trip.

Even short trips require approval and will result in an Authorized Early Withdrawal being processed on your SEVIS record. Once departed, students will not be able to return until 30 days prior to the next available term. Students should plan travel only during official academic breaks.

  1. Contact your DSO and Academic Advisor before making travel plans.
  2. Submit a request for .
  3. Explain the reason for your travel and expected travel dates.
  4. Wait for guidance from our offices before departing.
  5. Work with your DSO and Academic Advisor on a plan for return. Students are not permitted to return to the United States until 30 days prior to the next available term.

If you leave during an active class session without informing our offices, your SEVIS record will be terminated and you will have to re-enter the United States on a new initial I-20. Students being issued a new initial I-20 will have to re-pay the I-901 fee, may have their OPT clock reset (if applicable) and may have to apply for a new F-1 visa.

Students must notify their DSO and Academic Advisor before departing the United States.

If travel occurs during an active academic session, AEW authorization is required and the student will be withdrawn from courses. Students are strongly encouraged to schedule visa appointments during official academic breaks.

Students must follow the same travel policy:

  • Notify your DSO and Academic Advisor before departing.
  • Travel during an active session requires AEW authorization.
  • You will have the option to pause your studies or continue with your classes fully online while outside of the U.S. Once you return to the United States on your H-1B visa, you can continue with your classes fully online. Please notify your DSO and Academic Advisor upon your return to the United States and submit the form so we can update your records.

Students should plan visa stamping during official academic breaks whenever possible.

Students who are approved for Authorized Early Withdrawal can stay outside of the United States for a longer period of time. When you plan to return, your DSO may request to reactivate your SEVIS record if the time between when you left the U.S. and when you restart classes is still than five months.

If you are outside of the U.S. for more than five months, you will need a new initial I-20. This means you must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee again, and your OPT eligibility time will start over.

Please note that any request to reactivate your SEVIS record is reviewed by the SEVIS Help Desk and is not guaranteed to be approved. If the request is denied, a new initial I-20 will be issued so you can return to the United States.

Also, any study completed outside of the United States does not count toward your future OPT eligibility.

Before returning, students must:

  • Register for courses with their Academic Advisor
  • Coordinate travel plans with their DSO to ensure travel plans are within regulations
  • Contact their DSO and Academic Advisor at least 15 days before return

Students may not enter the United States more than 30 days before the next class start date.

No. Students are not permitted to travel while participating in CPT. Employment travel outside of the United States is not recommended and may create academic and immigration concerns. Upon your departure from the United States, your CPT will be canceled. You will have the option to re-apply for a new CPT authorization upon your return to the United States.

Travel while OPT is pending is strongly discouraged. Students who travel while OPT is pending may risk denial of the application.

No. Students should not travel while a Change of Status application is pending. Leaving the United States may result in denial of the application.

Before returning, students should have the following documents:

  • Valid passport
  • Valid visa
  • I-20 with a valid travel signature
  • Form I-901 SEVIS fee receipt
  • Proof of financial support, such as bank statements or sponsor letters
  • Proof of enrollment, such as an admission letter, unofficial transcript, class schedule or proof of enrollment letter
  • Additional documents that explain the reason for travel, if needed