Steps for Authorized Early Withdrawal

To complete your AEW students must:

  1. Contact Global Center for AEW counseling.
  2. Purchase flight tickets to leave the United States. Global Center will not authorize AEW without a departure flight itinerary.
  3. Submit the REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZED EARLY WITHDRAWAL and I-94 to Global Center

After receiving confirmation of an approved AEW, students will then:

  1. Submit withdraw form to the Office of Records and notify academic department of leave of absence
  2. Gather affairs for departure including paying all MWSU and personal bills, notifying Housing Office or landlord, leaving a forwarding address with the Post Office.
  3. Leave the U.S. within 15 days.

Returning to the United States after Authorized Early Withdrawal 

Students who properly complete the process for Authorized Early Withdrawal prior to departing the U.S. will have a suspended immigration record while outside the country. Students must take action to request a return to active status and reenter the US. Methods of return will vary based on whether the student has been outside the US for more less than 5 months. After 5 months outside the U.S. on a terminated I-20, your visa will no longer be active for travel, regardless of the expiration date. 

Returning with less than 5 months absence:

  1. Students should first verify that their visa is unexpired.
  2. Students must contact IC 30 days before return with a copy of your returning flight itinerary.
    • Note: Students may only enter the US 30 days before the following semester. Students must enroll full-time in the following semester even if it is a summer session.
  3. Global Center will submit a correction request to SEVP to return the suspended record to Active status. This may take 2-3 weeks, so students should not delay in contacting the Global Center fcheever@missouriwestern.edu.
  4. The International Student Advisor will notify the student when the SEVIS record is back to Active status. Students will receive an updated version of their old I-20, retaining the same SEVIS number.
  5. Students must report to Global Center with your immigration documents and your new I-94. The SEVIS record will not be activated without proof of entry (I-94).

Returning after 5 months absence:

  1. A student visa and SEVIS record will expire once a student has been out of the US for 5 months, regardless of the dates of original visa expiration.
  2. Students must contact IC at least 30 days prior to return. To receive a new SEVIS record/I-20, Students need to submit new financial statements.
  3. If eligible, International Center will issue a new SEVIS record and request student to arrange shipping to mail an original I-20.
  4. Students must complete the following before returning to the U.S.
    • Receive a new I-20
    • Pay a new I-901 SEVIS fee
    • Apply for and receive a new visa if visa is already expired
  5. Students must report to IC with immigration documents and new I-94. The SEVIS record will not be activated without proof of entry (I-94).

Please note that students must contact IC in the manner described above. Attempted re-entry without following these directions may result in denial at entry and further complications once admitted to the United States.

REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZED EARLY WITHDRAWAL