Re-Enrollment After Leave of Absence or Withdrawal

Procedure

Graduate Students

• To return to W&M, you must apply to your program for re-admission.
• For medical leave of absence/withdrawals, you have to receive clearance from the Dean of Students first before applying for re-enrollment.

Undergraduate Students

• To return to W&M, you must apply to the Dean of Students for re-enrollment.
• For medical leave of absence/withdrawals, you have to receive clearance from the Dean of Students first before applying for re-enrollment.

Immigration Implications

• Once the re-enrollment request is approved, you must request a new I-20/DS-2019 from the Office of International Students, Scholars & Programs (ISSP):
  
  • Login to iStart using your W&M ID and password.
  • Click on F-1 Student Services in the menu on the left-hand side of the page
  • Click on Re-enrollment and complete the required forms.
    
    
• If it has been more than 5 months since your F-1 status was terminated, a new SEVIS record must be created and you must pay the SEVIS fee again.
  • You can continue to use your visa. You only need to apply for a new F-1 or J-1 visa if your current one is expired.
  • You may not  enter the US earlier than 30 days before the start date on the new I-20 or DS-2019.
  • Your OPT and CPT eligibility have reset. You must be in F-1 status for at least 2 additional semesters to be eligible.
    • Please see Pandemic OPT Eligibility for more details.
• If it has been less than 5 months since your F-1 record was terminated, your SEVIS record may be reactivated.
  
  • This request can be submitted to SEVP by ISSP no earlier than 60 days before the semester begins (e.g., first day of classes) of when you will return and enroll in classes.
  • The reactivation of the SEVIS record usually takes between 1-3 weeks to be approved, but this is not guaranteed. If your record reactivation is not approved, you must get a new SEVIS record.
  • If your record is reactivated, you do not have to pay the SEVIS fee again.
  • You can continue to use your visa. You only need to apply for a new F-1 or J-1 visa if your current one is expired.
  • If your SEVIS record is reactivated, you retain any previous OPT and CPT eligibility you have accrued. You must be in F-1 status 2 semesters total to be eligible.