It is very important that international students who study abroad contact the Office of International Education & Exchange (IEE) regarding their program and plans. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure that all policies and procedures are followed.

Prior to Departure

• IEE instructs students to update the address where they physically reside by completing the Address Update Form while in the US.

 
• You can best contact IEE by e-mail at ieoffice@fullerton.edu for assistance while abroad. You can also reach them via phone at (714) 278-2787 or via fax at (714) 278-7292.

Re-entry to U.S.

• If you will be out of the US for less than 5 months, you need to obtain a travel endorsement from IEE to re-enter the US to resume studies at the CSUF.

 
• You should bring your documents to IEE to obtain the travel endorsement 3-4 weeks prior to departing the US.

 
• If you will be out of the US for more than 5 months, you should consult with an IEE advisor prior to your departure to receive instructions regarding re-entry to the US.

• IEE must produce a new I-20 or DS-2019 for re-entry.
• Information regarding required documentation and processing time for issuance of a new I-20 or DS-2019 can be obtained from IEE.
• Students who fail to contact IEE prior to departure will be able to obtain instructions via e-mail.

Additional Re-entry Instructions: If your F-1/J-1 Visa Stamp Expires Before Planned Return to U.S.

Students whose F-1 or J-1 visa stamp expires prior to planned re-entry to the US must obtain a new stamp at a US Embassy/Consulate.

• You should obtain instructions from IEE regarding documents needed for visa applications.

 
• It is preferable to apply for a new F-1 or J-1 visa stamp in your home country.

 
• You may attempt to apply for a visa in a country other than your own; however, the US Embassy/Consulate does not have to serve a "third party national".

 
• IEE recommends you contact the US Embassy/Consulate in the country in which study is planned prior to departing the US to inquire whether or not the US Embassy/Consulate would be able to assist you with visa issuance.

 
• You should inform the US Embassy/Consulate of your country of citizenship and of your participation in an exchange or study abroad program (that is, not visiting for pleasure/leisure). This may result in the US Embassy/Consulate being more amenable to assisting you.

 
• Even if the US Embassy/Consulate states that they are willing to assist you, this does not guarantee visa issuance.

 
• Back-up plans for applying for a visa at home should be considered.

 
• Students who are from particular areas of the world and/or have majors deemed "sensitive" by the US government will need to plan well in advance for visa applications due to processing delays resulting from security and background checks which can take 6 to 8 weeks to complete. These students should carefully consider where they plan to apply for their US visa; applications made in the home country are preferable.