New students may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the start date on the I-20. This would include students who are returning after an absence of 5 months or more outside of the U.S.

Students who withdraw from school with approval from the International Students Office have a 15 day grace period to leave the U.S. before they fall out of status. It is important to inform both the on-campus administrative departments concerned (such as the registrars office or the graduate school) as well as the International Students Office.

If the student who withdraws from classes does not have written proof of approval from the International Students Office, then there is no grace period to leave the U.S. and that student is immediately out of status.

Continuing Students should take their most recent I-20’s with them when they leave the United States, and make sure that page 3 of the I-20 has a recent endorsement from the International Students Office. At the time of travel, the signature on page 3 should be no older than 6 months. At time of re-entry to the U.S., the Immigration Officers normally look for the signature on the I-20.