F-1 Reinstatement
If you have failed to maintain F-1 student status and wish to continue studying at (or transfer to) UTRGV, you must regain valid status.
There are two ways you can be reinstated:
- Make a re-entry. Leave the US and reenter using a new I-20 with a new SEVIS number.
- Apply to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for reinstatement.
Either option should be discussed with an International Student Advisor at ISS in detail. Those planning to transfer to another institution must apply for reinstatement through the new school using the I-20 from that school.
Reasons why a student may fall out of F-1 student status:
- Failure to extend I-20 before the expiration deadline
- Failure to complete the F-1 transfer procedure in a timely manner
- Failure to take less than a full course of study without prior written authorization from ISS for an excusable academic or medical reason under F-1 regulations
- A student who has worked without authorization is also out of status, but is not eligible for reinstatement.
- Once you violate your F-1 status, you may continue to enroll in classes at UTRGV, however, you no longer have a valid status within the United States.
- You may not work on campus until you regain your valid F-1 status.
- Once you have violated your F-1 status you may begin to accrue Unlawful Presence.
- USCIS Applications
- If you apply for reinstatement by USCIS application, you will be eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) if you have been enrolled for at least two long semesters and you are reinstated back to F-1 status.
- Reinstatement applications can take 6 to 12 months or more plus mailing time to process. While the application is pending with USCIS, you may not leave the United States. If you depart the U.S, this will cancel your application with USCIS.
- Reinstatement by travel:
- If you regain your F-1 status by travel, you will not be eligible for OPT or CPT until you have been in status for two long semesters.
- Your valid status resumes as soon as you reenter the United States,obtain a new I-94 record, and check-in with ISSS.
- You will always have a terminated record associated with you. Be sure to schedule ample time for you to go through customs upon each reentry to the United States and be prepared to explain the circumstances surrounding the termination of your F-1 record.
Under federal USCIS regulation 8 CFR 214.2(f)(16), an F-1 student is only eligible for reinstatement if all of the following conditions apply:
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You have not been out of status for more than 5 months at the time of filing the request for reinstatement
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OR the failure to file within the 5 month period was result of exceptional circumstances and that you filed the request for reinstatement as promptly as possible under these exceptional circumstances
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You do not have a record of repeated or willful violations of F-1 regulations
- The need for reinstatement did not result from "a willful failure on the part of the student"
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You are currently pursuing, or intending to pursue, a full course of study in the immediate future at the school which issued the Form I-20
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You have not engaged in unauthorized employment
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You are not deportable on any ground other than section 237(a)(1)(B) or (C)(i) of the Act
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You establish, to the satisfaction of the [USCIS], in detail showing, either that:
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The violation of status resulted from circumstances beyond the student’s control.
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Such circumstances might include: serious injury or illness, closure of the institution, a natural disaster, or inadvertence, oversight, or neglect on the part of the DSO,
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But do not include instances where a pattern of violations or where a willful failure on the part of the student resulted in the need for reinstatement
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OR The violation relates to a reduction in the student’s course load that would have been within a DSO’s power to authorize, and that failure to approve reinstatement would result in extreme hardship to the student
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ISS will assist you with a reinstatement petition only if all of the conditions above apply.
Whether you apply for a reinstatement by USCIS application or by international travel, you first need to obtain a new I-20 from International Admissions & Student Services.
In order to obtain an I-20, schedule an appointment with an International Student Advisor and submit the following documentation:
- New I-20 Request Form (specify either by travel or with USCIS)
- Certificate of Financial Responsibility
- Financial Statements
In order to apply for a reinstatement, you must:
- Write a letter including the following:
- A brief history of your stay in the U.S. Explain and document any previous semesters in which you were registered for less than a full course load or any semesters in which you were not registered. Then discuss details of the circumstances which led you to be out of status.
- That you are currently enrolled as a full-time student or that you intend to pursue a full course of study (9 hours for graduate, 12 hours for undergraduate students) for the next long semester.
- That you have not been employed without authorization.
- That your failure to maintain your student status was due to circumstances beyond your control and/or that failure to receive reinstatement would result in extreme hardship.
- That you are not deportable on any other grounds (such as conviction of any crime).
- Schedule an appointment with an international student advisor and bring the following:
- Form I-539. Complete this form before your appointment.
- Letter and any other supporting documentation you might have
- Reinstatement I-20 issued by ISS
- Proof of financial support
- Passport
- Most recent entry visa
- Form I-94
- Transcripts of university studies in the U.S.
- $455.00 payable to Department of Homeland Security (check or money order)
- Once ISS reviews all of the application documents, we will help you compile them and prepare the package for submission. Mailing the application will be your responsibility, but ISS will give you detailed instructions on how to do so.
- Once you obtain a new I-20, you will need to pay the SEVIS fee for the new I-20. For more information about the SEVIS fee please refer to the SEVIS Fee page.
- If you do not have a valid F-1 visa, you will be required to apply for one using your new I-20. It is also recommended that you check with a U.S. Embassy or Consulate office on whether your previous visa is still valid or not. We recommend that you make your visa application in your home country or country of residence.Please see our Visa information for more information on how to apply for a visa. Canadian Citizens: note that you are not required to have an F-1 visa in your passport.
- You may enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days prior to the program start date listed in section 5 of the new I-20.
- At the port of entry present your new I-20 and valid F-1 visa to the inspection officer.
- A note about traveling to Canada or Mexico. Be sure that upon your return to the United States, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection officer gives you a new I-94 entry record to indicate your new F-1 status. If you are not given a new I-94 record, you will be required to travel again to regain your status.
- After you return to the United States in F-1 status you must review and print your I-94 information. The I-94 record must indicate “F-1” and “D/S.” Schedule a advising appointment to meet with an international student advisor shortly after you return to the United States. You will need to bring all of your immigration documents with you so we can review them and activate your record.
Failure to meet with ISS in a timely manner could lead to the termination of your F-1 record and cause you to again lose your valid immigration status.