Off-Site Research – U.S. and Overseas
Education Abroad
After you are accepted to participate in a UConn Education Abroad program during Fall or Spring semester, you must make an appointment with your ISSS advisor to discuss your plans. Bring to your appointment a complete travel signature request form and support documents.
You will need to decide with your ISSS advisor if you will keep your SEVIS record active during your study abroad program. Keeping your SEVIS record active makes it possible to apply for an F-1 visa (if needed) and return to the U.S. with your current I-20. To keep your SEVIS record active, you must be enrolled on a full time basis while studying abroad. You will be required to pay the UConn Visa Compliance Fee during the semester(s) you are away if your SEVIS record is kept active.
If you keep your SEVIS record active during your study abroad, ISSS will issue a new Form I-20 listing your education abroad program, with a travel signature for your return. If your education abroad program is a full academic or calendar year, you may need to obtain a new travel signature for your return (ISSS can mail this to you).
If you elect to not keep your SEVIS record active during your semester away, you must request a new Form I-20 and ensure that you have a valid F-1 visa for return.
If you will study abroad during your final semester, UConn may not keep your SEVIS record active unless you have academic work to complete after finishing the term abroad. If your SEVIS record is not active, you will not be able to apply for post-completion OPT and will not be able to use your F-1 visa to return to the United States after your study abroad program. For this reason, we recommend that F-1 students not study abroad in their last term of study.
J-1 students may not keep their SEVIS records active if they will study abroad.
Off-Site Research – U.S. and Overseas
F-1 students who conduct research off-site (for example, in another U.S. state, or outside of the U.S.) during the Fall or Spring semester must discuss your plans with ISSS to determine if the activity is appropriate under your student visa.
To maintain an active SEVIS record during your off-site research, you must maintain full time enrollment and your research must be for your degree program. You will also need to complete the Off Site Research Form with your academic advisor and make an appointment with your ISSS advisor to submit the form and discuss your plans prior to beginning your off-site research. You will be required to pay the UConn Visa Compliance Fee during the semester(s) you are away if your SEVIS record is kept active.
If you conduct your off-site research within the United States, you must maintain an active SEVIS record to keep your F-1 status valid.
If you conduct your off-site research outside of the United States, you may choose whether to maintain your active SEVIS record, or not. Please discuss both options with your ISSS advisor.
J-1 students may not keep their SEVIS records active for extended periods of off-site research, or research abroad during the academic semester.
UConn Travel Policy
All students traveling for academic purposes must follow UConn travel registration and approval policies. Please visit Education Abroad Travel Registration for further information. In addition, international academic travel to countries of concern must follow Office of the Vice President for Research travel policies.