I see. Here is the timeline.
I never left the program and I have been trying to complete my PhD without the visa process- this is a recent development. I kept in touch with the department for reconsideration about the missing coursework due to their overlooking. Here is a timeline:
Fall 2016- I started the PhD program and this is the semester I received 3C’s due to external reasons. So, my PhD advisor supported me and made me retook a course to clear up my probation- which I did.
After this I continued to take courses with good grades, contributed to the events, workshops, until Fall 2021 as a teaching assistant. This is when I received a full-time teaching position so I converted my student visa to employment visa while being on a part-time PhD program. By this time, I completed coursework, and passed qualifying exams. This is also when my PhD advisor retired.
During the lockdown, I have to take care of my parents, so I flew to my homecountry. Due to travel restrictions, US embassy did not allow me to travel for 7 months but I am enrolled into research seminar(1 credit hour) to ensure enrollment. So, I am without pay for 7 months, and when I came back 2022, I was given a temporary advisor and she helped me defend my research proposal and form dissertation committee.
The next semester, I applied for graduation so that I can defend my thesis, I was told about the missing coursework. This is when I was asked to keep everything aside, and take two extra courses. This is not possible as I am on a teacher’s pay and my wife is on dependent visa meaning she cannot work too. So, I could not pay for the coursework and I requested for reconsideration or financial assistance, which was rejected.
Beginning of this year, I reached out to the dean explaining my situation and requested for a completion of my PhD with oral defense as the after-covid debt is still affecting me. Last week, I received dismissal.