Change of Status

Reinstatement of F-1

Please be aware that reinstatement is only being allowed for students that have fallen out of status due to circumstances beyond their control such as, serious injury or illness, closure of the institution or a natural disaster.

Circumstances beyond the students control will NOT include cases where inadvertence, oversight, neglect or a willful failure on the part of the student or the International Student Advisor resulted in the need for reinstatement.

If I am out of status what can I do?
You may apply for reinstatement from USCIS or you may leave the country and enter with a new I-20. The latter is not official reinstatement. If you leave the country and re-enter with a new I-20, you remain ineligible for certain F-1 benefits (CPT, OPT) until you have been back in status for two semesters/nine months following your return.

Who should file for reinstatement?
If you are in the United States in F-1 status and are out of status and wish to continue studying, you should file for reinstatement. For information on maintaining your F-1 status, see Maintaining F-1 Status.

When and where do I file?
File immediately in the International Programs Office.

What do I need to bring with me?

• A letter of explanation detailing the reasons that you are out of status. The letter should include the following:
  • Request for reinstatement
    
  • An explanation of the circumstances beyond your control which resulted in your failure to maintain status.
    
  • If applicable, an explanation of why failure to receive reinstatement would result in extreme hardship to you.
    
  • A statement that you have never been employed without USCIS authorization.
    
• Form I-539 This form may be obtained in the International Programs Office.
  
• A financial affidavit signed by the student and personal sponsors.
  Proof of support in the form of a bank statement, current within the last 6 months and on original letterhead and letter from sponsor(s) employer - like proof of financial support when receiving your I-20.
  
• $340.00 check or money order made payable to Department of Homeland Security.
  
• Two copies of your I-94 form (front and back)
  
• Two copies of your passport picture, signature, and expiration date
  

Once all of these documents are complete, make an appointment to see the International Student Advisor. To save time, please bring the above named documents with you. The advisor will review your case and then will process a request for a new I-20 for reinstatement if deemed appropriate.