Requesting a new immigration document to return to Boston University

Please contact your ISSO advisor two to three months before the semester you wish to resume studies at Boston University in order to determine if you require a new I-20 or DS-2019 to return from a leave of absence or a suspension.

Before a new I-20 or DS-2019 can be issued, you must follow these steps:

  1. Verify with your academic department that you are eligible to return to your academic program. Eligibility to enroll in the next semester must appear in the university registration system in order for ISSO to provide immigration sponsorship for you to resume studies. If you have been on an official leave of absence or, if you have been on suspension, you must contact your Boston University school or college to follow the academic steps required to return to the University.
  2. Prepare financial documents to show that you have sufficient financial sponsorship to cover estimated tuition, fees and living expenses for at least one academic year (9 months), unless you need less time to complete your program. Check with your ISSO advisor if you have questions about required financial documentation. In any case, all financial documents must be originals, signed and dated, written in English, and currency amounts listed in U.S. dollars.
  3. Log into the ISSOPortal and initiate a Leave of Absence – Return in the Request Center. You will need to read the instructions, answer the questionnaire, upload the required documents, confirm your understanding of the regulations regarding returning from a LOA and to identify the academic advisor in your school or college who can review and approve this request.
  4. Track the status of your request through the ISSOPortal

Next steps if you are currently in the U.S.

Your ISSO advisor will counsel you further on the following:

  1. Transferring your student status back to Boston University if you are in F-1 or J-1 student status at another U.S. school
  2. Changing to student status if you are presently in a different nonimmigrant in the US status
    OR
  3. Reinstating to student status if you have otherwise failed to maintain lawful status.

Next steps if you are currently outside the U.S.

  1. Pay a new SEVIS fee based on your new SEVIS ID.
  2. Make travel plans to return to the US.
  3. Make sure you have a valid passport and a valid F-1 or J-1 student visa. See information about applying for a visa and entering the US in student status. Unless you are Canadian, you must possess a valid student visa, and your passport should be valid at least 6 months from the date you intend to reenter the U.S.
  4. Upon your reentry to the U.S., USCIS will review your new immigration documents and your SEVIS record. You must complete new student check-in report to the ISSO immediately after you return to the US.

Please contact your ISSO advisor should you have any questions.