Reduced Course Load Request - Medical (RCL)

F-1 iStudents can be authorized for a Reduced Course Load (RCL) for two reasons:

Students who are in the final semester of their program and have less than a full-time course load remaining need to be authorized with Immigration for a RCL. These students should complete the Reduced Course Load Request -Final Semester (RCL) form instead.
Students who are experiencing an illness or medical condition that inhibits their ability to attend classes. Students in this situation need medical documentation from a licensed Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, or Clinical Psychologist. The letter from the licensed practitioner needs to be dated within one month of the RCL date. In the letter, it needs to state that the condition limits or completely prohibits ability to fulfill course requirements. If this is your reason for requesting RCL, please complete the form below.

Please note: RCLs can ONLY be approved during a students' final semester of study or if they have a documented Illness or Medical Condition.

Processing Time: Medical Reduced Course Loads are expected to take about 1 week (5 business days) to process. Read more on our Maintain Your Status page.

* denotes a required field

Your Information

This form is for a Medical RCL request only. If you need to request an RCL for your final semester, please complete the Reduced Course Load Request - Final Semester (RCL) form instead.

First Name *

Last Name *

SEVIS ID Number (N00XXXXXXXX). Found on top right of your I-20. Please enter The last 8 digits. * *

G-Number *

Email *

Phone *

What is your field of study (Major/Program)? *

Reduced Course Load Request

For which reason are you requesting a Reduced Course Load? *

Which semester are you taking less than full-time classes due to an illness or medical condition? *

How many credits will you be taking during the semester you selected in the previous question? *

For Immigration to approve an RCL for Illness or Medical Condition, you must provide medical documentation from a licensed: Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, or Clinical Psychologist. The letter must:

be dated within a month of the RCL start date, and
indicate whether the medical condition limits or completely prohibits your ability to fulfill course requirements.

Please upload your medical documentation from a licensed Medical Doctor, Doctor of Osteopathy, or Clinical Psychologist. This is required for Immigration to approve an RCL for Illness or Medical Condition. *
Please upload a file with the extension .pdf, .jpeg, .jpg, or .png with a maximum size of 1 MB (1024 KB)

Confirm your Reduced Course Load Request

Signature *

By typing your full name below, you confirm that the semester you listed above you will be taking less than full-time classes and you agree that your SEVIS record be updated with the RCL for that semester.

Human Verification *

Page last modified February 9, 2026

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