Returning to U of M Crookston After Leave

All F-1 students returning to the University of Minnesota after being outside of the U.S. for a leave of absence will need to follow the steps listed below. This includes individuals who returned home for military service.

We recommend beginning this process 3 to 6 months before you wish to return to the University to resume your studies.

Steps to Complete

Complete all of the following steps in the order shown to avoid problems.

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1. Get Started

To begin the process:

  • Contact your college academic advisor regarding the readmission or reactivation process. The readmission and status reactivation process varies by college, and it may take a few days to several weeks. You are advised to discuss what classes you should take during the first semester after your return. A registration time will be assigned to you.
  • Once you do this, you should try to log into your UMN email account to determine if it is active. If it is not, contact Technology Help for assistance with reactivating your account. You must have an active UMN email account before you can move on to Step 2.

2. Complete Your Returning Student I-20 Request in MyISS

After you have been readmitted and reactivated to your program, complete the Returning Student I-20 Request e-form in MyISS. Please be aware:

  • If you are an undergraduate student who has a Global Excellence Scholarship, contact ISS to confirm you will continue to receive your scholarship.

Once your Returning Student I-20 Request is received, ISS will prepare your new I-20 within 10 business days.

3. Register for Classes

If you do not know your registration time, you should contact your academic advisor or department to register for classes. Please note:

You will be required to enroll in Duo within one week of registering for classes. The process to do this may be different depending on where you are. 

Learn more about enrolling in Duo

4. Pay the SEVIS Fee and Schedule a Visa Interview (If Necessary)

Upon receiving your new I-20 you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, as the I-20 will contain a new SEVIS ID. Print your SEVIS I-901 fee receipt. You will need to bring this receipt to your F-1 visa interview (if applicable) and/or to the immigration inspection process when you enter the U.S.

Next, determine if you need to obtain a new visa.

  • If your F-1 visa is still valid (has not expired) you do not need to apply for a new one. You may use your existing visa and your new U of M Crookston I-20 to enter the U.S. when you return to resume your studies at U of M Crookston. If your current F-1 visa will expire before you return to the U.S., you will need to obtain a new one.
  • If you need to obtain a new visa, schedule your interview at the nearest U.S. Consulate, preferably in your home country. Complete the Form DS-160. Prepare all the necessary documents for your interview.

5. Arrive on Campus

When to Arrive

You should arrive on campus at least a few days before the first day of classes. The earliest you may return to the U.S. is the "Earliest Admission Date" indicated in section 3 of your new I-20. When deciding when to arrive, remember to include time to find housing (if necessary).

Requirements Upon Arrival

You must update your email and for that, contact the ISS office in MyU within 10 days of arriving in the U.S.

To complete your document check, you will need to upload the following documents in MyISS:

  • Passport
  • F-1 visa
  • I-20
  • Most recent I-94
  • I-901 SEVIS fee receipt
  • Confirmation of completion of the Immigration Regulations quiz

The AI hold on your student record will not be removed until you complete your Returning Student Document Check and it has been approved by ISS.