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F-1 Reinstatement

[All information is subject to change without notice.]

Reinstatement is needed if you violate your full-time F-1 Visa status. Violation of student status makes you illegal and may lead to removal from the U.S. You may request the U.S. Immigration Service re-establish your F-1 status. Reinstatement normally takes 30-60 days to receive a response.

Reinstatement Eligibility

You may file for Reinstatement if you meet the following criteria:

The violation resulted from one of the following:

Circumstances beyond your control

Failure to apply in a timely fashion for a reduced course

load authorization from your International Student

Advisor

You have been out of status for less than 5 months.

You have not engaged in unauthorized employment.

Reinstatement Procedure

Make an appointment with the International Admissions and Immigration Office. Please bring the following documents to the appointment.

Form I-539. Complete parts 1, 4, 5 and Supplement 1 only.

All your I-20's, passport, visa, and I-94 card.

Evidence of financial support.

A check or money order payable to USCIS for USD $300.00.

Evidence to support the reason you went out of status.

Typed personal letter to USCIS describing your violation. You must state:

   (1) how your violation of status resulted from circumstances beyond your

   control or that failure to be reinstated would result in extreme hardship,

   (2) you are currently pursuing or intend to pursue a full course of study at DBU,

   and (3) that you did not work illegally. For example:

Date

Dear Dallas District Officer,

I am applying for reinstatement because I (state your violation) during the __________ semester(s). This happened because (provide the reason especially emphasizing any circumstances beyond your conscious control). I am taking full-time hours this semester (or always have taken full-time hours) (or plan to be full-time next semester). Since I have been in the US, I have not engaged in any kind of unauthorized employment.

If I am not reinstated, it will result in extreme hardship because (list reason).

Sincerely,

(Your name)

Note: You may want to bring the letter in MS Word format on a floppy disk so the ISSD can make suggestions about the letter.

Mailing Checklist

Personal letter of request.

Completed and signed Form I-539.

Transcripts from all schools attended in the U.S.

A new SEVIS I-20 that will be issued by the ISSD for “Reinstatement.”

Proof of financial support.

Copy of passport that is still valid for six months into the future and a copy of

the I-94 card (front/back).

A check or money order payable to USCIS for USD $300.00.

Send application certified mail with return receipt.

Important Reinstatement Information

Reentry

You may choose to travel home and not apply for reinstatement. If you choose

to travel outside of the U.S., then you must reenter the U.S. on an initial I-20.

Reinstatement Notification

The International Admissions and Immigration Office will receive an email

    from the USCIS. You will be notified by phone or e-mail of the decision.

If approved, your reinstatement I-20 will be mailed to the International

   Admissions and Immigration Office approximately 2 weeks after the e-mail

   notification. You will be notified to pick up your I-20 once it is received.

Reinstatement Denial

The visa that you used to enter the United States will automatically be

    canceled.

You will be permanently limited to applying for U.S. non-immigrant visas in

    your country of citizenship or permanent residency.

You will begin accumulating days of “unlawful presence.” If you remain in the

   United States after the denial for over 180 days, you will be barred from

   returning to the United States for three years; if you remain in the United States

   after the denial for one year or more, you will be barred from returning to the

   United States for ten years. After leaving the U.S. in a timely manner you may,

   providing your visa is still valid, reenter the U.S. on an initial I-20.

Full-Time Enrollment

You are required to enroll in a full course of study while pending reinstatement.

Employment

While not in valid F-1 status, you are not allowed to take part in benefits of the

    F-1 visa such as on-campus employment or OPT.

After your reinstatement is approved by immigration you are eligible to work on

   campus.

If you had met the one academic year full-time lawful enrollment before losing

   your F-1 status, then you are eligible for OPT after USCIS approves your

   reinstatement.