Immigration Leave of Absence/Withdrawal
If you withdraw from classes or decide not to enroll in classes for a semester other than summer, but you plan to enroll again at some point in the future, this is considered a leave of absence. Students who wish to withdraw for medical purposes must also request a medical leave of absence from the Dean of Students.
If you withdraw from classes or decide not to enroll in classes for a semester other than summer, and you do not plan to enroll at SIUE again, this is considered a permanent withdrawal.
If you plan to take a leave of absence or withdraw from SIUE, you must work with ISSS in addition to notifying your academic department. If you do not notify ISSS about your leave, your record will be terminated for “failure to enroll” or “unauthorized withdrawal” which can cause serious consequences if you plan to return to the U.S. in the future.
If you plan to withdraw from courses and/or take a leave of absence:
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Make an appointment with your immigration advisor to discuss your plans to withdraw from your courses or take a leave of absence before withdrawing from any courses. If you are taking a leave of absence, review the leave of absence guidelines.
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Complete a Leave of Absence/Withdrawal Notification Form before withdrawing from any courses. This form requires signatures from both your academic/faculty advisor and your immigration advisor. If you have an assistantship, make sure you discuss ending your contract early with your supervisor.
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Take the Leave of Absence/Withdrawal Notification Form to the Service Center to officially withdraw from your courses.
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Your immigration advisor will terminate your SEVIS record for “authorized early withdrawal,” which will not have negative consequences if you decide to return to the U.S.
If you plan to return from a leave of absence:
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Follow the instructions in the leave of absence guidelines.
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Complete a Returning from a Leave of Absence Form. Your immigration advisor at ISSS will follow up with any additional requirements.
If you are experiencing emotional concerns (depression, anxiety, etc.), problems adjusting or other factors affecting your ability to achieve academic goals, we encourage you to seek counseling at the Counseling and Health Service office.
