Authorized Early Withdrawal

On This Page: Request an Authorized Early Withdrawal • Dropping Classes • Reestablish F-1 Status

Authorized Early Withdrawal is used to end your SEVIS record before your program end date. It is a neutral termination reason in SEVIS and allows you to avoid violating your F-1 status for not being enrolled full-time during the semester.

Request an Authorized Early Withdrawal

Important Dropping below full-time without ISS approval is a violation of your immigration status.

Meet with an international student advisor before dropping your classes or filing a general petition for a retroactive withdrawal. After speaking with an advisor, submit the Authorized Early Withdrawal e-form. 

After termination:

  • You will have a 15-day grace period to leave the U.S.
  • Your record cannot be reactivated or transferred to another U.S. school.
  • You must end all employment (on or off campus).
  • You will not be eligible for immigration benefits like OPT or CPT until after you have been enrolled for one full academic year (2 semesters) on a new I-20.

Dropping Classes

If you are planning to drop all classes after receiving approval for an Authorized Early Withdrawal, review the information:

  • Complete Withdrawal Form - Required if you plan to completely withdraw from all of your classes during week three through the last day of classes (NOT FINALS) of a fall or spring semester.
  • Refund Policies - Information about eligibility for a full or partial refund.
  • Medical Withdrawal - Instructions withdrawing for medical reasons.
  • Back2UA Admissions - Information about undergraduate eligibility to return to the university after not enrolling for one or more semesters.
  • Leave of Absence - Required for graduate students who wish to return to the university after not enrolling for 1-2 semesters.

Reestablish F-1 Status

If you want to return to the U.S. in the future, you must follow the steps below to reestablish your F-1 status.

  1. Review the information at Reapplying & Requirements (undergraduates) and Leave of Absence (graduates) and reapply for admission if necessary.
  2. After admission (if applicable), request a new I-20:
  3. Because you will receive a new I-20 with a different SEVIS number, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee again.
  4. If your previous visa has expired and you are not a citizen of Canada or Bermuda, renew your F-1 visa.
  5. Enter the U.S. up to 30 days before your I-20 start date.
  6. Complete check-in requirements by your I-20 start date:
    • Submit the Check-In e-form.
    • Complete the Immigration Tutorial. You will receive an email after you have been granted access.