Reinstatement

Reinstatement is the process in which an F-1 student must undertake if the student fails to maintain his/her status and wishes to be eligible for any benefits available to F-1 visa holders.  

A student will be considered out of status for any of the following reasons:

•  Student does not follow the procedure for change of program or school transfer.

•  Student does not complete the academic program in the time that is indicated on the initial I-20AB and fails to apply for an extension of stay.

•  Failure to maintain a full course of study each semester, with the exception of the final semester in which the student has been uthorized by the international student advisor to reduce course load.  

The INS/USCIS may reinstate the student if he or she:

•  Has not engaged in unauthorized employment.

•  Is not deportable on any ground other than failing to maintain status.

•  Establishes to the satisfaction of the INS/USCIS director the violation of status resulted from circumstances beyond the student's control or that failure to receive reinstatement to lawful F-1 status would result in extreme hardship to the student.

If the INS does reinstate the student, the I-20AB form shall be endorsed and returned to the student with a copy forwarded to the college. If the student is not reinstated, the student will be given a date of voluntary departure and may not appeal the decision.