Search this site:
  Go

ALL International Students (Graduate or Undergraduate) MUST obtain permission from the International Center PRIOR to taking a Leave of Absence. This applies to all types of Leaves (Medical, Personal, Military, Tufts Study Abroad, or Non-Tufts Study Abroad, etc.)

All Undergraduates Students wishing to take any type of Leave of Absence must first meet with their Academic Dean at Dowling Hall. If the Dean approves the Leave, the international student must schedule an appointment to meet with an International Center Advisor to obtain approval and to fully understand the possible negative ramifications to their immigrant status.

Graduate Students must first obtain approval for the Leave from their Graduate School, followed by a meeting with the International Center to fully understand the possible negative ramifications to their immigration status.

• The Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) requires that we terminate the F-1 (I-20) or J-1 (DS2019) Form, of students going on one of these Leaves.
  
  
• When we terminate an I-20 or DS-2019 form, it means that the student will need to contact our office 3 months prior to returning to Tufts to request reissuance of a new document to enter the U.S.
  
  
• Undergraduate Students will need to obtain clearance from their Academic Dean prior to returning from above-mentioned leaves. Graduate students will need to obtain clearance from their Graduate School. Once an I-20 or DS-2019 Form is terminated, you will not be able to re-enter the U.S. in F-1 or J-1 status until being issued a new visa document from our office.*
  
  
  o *For Non-Study Abroad Leaves, SEVIS mandates that we terminate a student's Visa Document (I-20 Form or Form DS-2019). If an I-20 or DS-2019 form is terminated, the student is required to return to Tufts for full-time study for two consecutive semesters, before becoming eligible to apply for Post Completion Optional Practical Training or Academic Training. If you are returning from a Leave of Absence during your last semester at Tufts, you need to be aware of the fact that you will lose your eligibility for Post Completion Optional Practical Training or Academic Training.

Tufts Study Abroad Program or Non-Tufts Study Abroad Program:

Undergraduate Students going on a Tufts or Non-Tufts STUDY ABROAD Leave will usually be able to maintain their current F-1 or J-1 status, provided that (1) they are taking part in a Tufts program abroad or that their leave of absence has been approved by the Director of Tufts Program Abroad and (2) that they have obtained clearance from the International Center prior to departure from Tufts.

If the student is to be outside of the U.S. for a period longer than five months, there is a possibility that SEVIS will mandate that we terminate the F-1 or J-1 status. Student should check in with the International Center 3 months prior to returning to Tufts to see whether or not a new I-20 or DS-2019 will need to be issued, or if the current I-20 or DS-2019 needs to have a more current travel signature. If your I-20 or DS-2019 is not terminated while you are on leave, then you are still considered to be in F-1 or J-1 status and if you need to travel briefly in and out of the U.S. during your Study Abroad Leave, you should always enter in F-1 or J-1 status, not tourist status.