Office of International Education

UC Santa Cruz

Required Actions to Maintain your Legal Status

To maintain legal status in the U.S., F-1 students are required to notify the ISSS International Advisor of certain personal and academic changes.

Thesis Research Abroad

Graduate Students may be eligible to take a leave of absence if they are conducting thesis research from out of the U.S. Students will need to apply for a leave of absence through the Graduate Division and must complete the TRA Guidelines and Form (found in our Forms and Documents Library) . If you think you are eligible, read the TRA guidelines carefully and consult with Interntional Scholar and Student Services.

Important things to consider:

  1. The TRA only applies to graduate students who have completed their coursework/advanced to candidacy, and are in good academic status.
  2. A student is eligible for TRA on a quarter by quarter basis; up to a maximum of THREE quarters.
  3. Students must leave the U.S. within 15 days from the start of the TRA/Leave of Absence.