Returning to WFU
For returning F-1 & J-1 international students only.
An international student wishing to return to Wake Forest University:
- Students wishing to return in Fall
- ISS will process your I-20/Ds-2019 documentation up until the deadline of August 1.
- Students wishing to return in Spring
- ISS will process your new I-20/Ds-2019 documentation up until the deadline of December 1.
- Undergraduate Students: If you were suspended for the Fall semester and plan to return for the Spring semester, start the process with the Office of Academic Advising as soon as possible as your window to get a new immigration document and visa is very small. If there is a delay in this request, you may want to consider returning for a future semester.
- ISS will process your new I-20/Ds-2019 documentation up until the deadline of December 1.
- Students wishing to return in Summer
- ISS will process your new I-20/Ds-2019 documentation up until the deadline of April 1.
All documentation must be received by the stated deadline above. ISS can still process your request but there is no guarantee that you will be able to return for the semester you are requesting.
If you wish to seek re-admission or resumption, you must first contact the Office of Academic Advising.
If you wish to seek re-admission or resumption, please contact your program directly to ask about your eligibility to enroll in the upcoming semester.
To ensure enough time to receive your documents, international students in F-1 or J-1 visa status must allow a minimum of 60 days from the date of re-admission/resumption to return to WFU and begin classes. This is necessary to allow adequate time to re-issue a new I-20/Ds-2019 and apply for a new F-1 or J-1 visa.
- Please allow 7-10 business days for ISS to issue the new I-20 or DS-2019 form. J-1 students should allow an additional 1-2 weeks to receive it in the mail.
- F-1 students: Once you download the I-20, you must pay the SEVIS fee and apply for a new F-1 visa. However, if your current F-1 visa is valid and you have been outside the U.S. for less than 5 months, you may use your current visa to re-enter the U.S. on the newly issued I-20.
Once you are issued an I-20 or DS-2019 from Wake Forest, you must report to ISS (Reynolda 17) within 10 days of your program start date. Please bring the following original documents with you to check-in:
- Passport
- F or J Visa Stamp (in passport)
- Form I-20 or Form DS-2019
- Form I-94: print from cbp.gov/i94 after you arrive in the U.S.