Regaining Legal F-1 Status

Falling Out of Status


An out-of-status student has had their immigration record - Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS) - terminated for failure to follow the rules related to your student visa. Out-of-status students cannot stay in the U.S. until they regain legal status. A student hold has been placed on your record to prevent your ability to register/enroll for °®¶¹´«Ã½C classes until you resolve your legal status. 

If falling out status was beyond your control and you wish to remain in the U.S. to regain your legalstatus, review the Reinstatement Petition and its instructions and submit it in person or via email immediately to ISC. Attach supporting documents to explain your case.

If you wish to regain legal status by traveling and then re-entering the U.S. on a new I-20, please submit a New I-20 Request to the International Student Center. Remember to attach an updated bank statement/letter and a Sponsor Statement Form. An ISC advisor will review your request
before approval or denial. 

If Requesting Reinstatement Assistance

After submitting your Reinstatement Petition, a committee will review your request, along with your supporting documents and your °®¶¹´«Ã½C academic record. A member of the committee may reach out to you via your °®¶¹´«Ã½C email for additional questions. Please check your °®¶¹´«Ã½C email frequently. A review will be completed within five (5) business days. 

You will be notified via your °®¶¹´«Ã½C email. An advisor will explain to you the next steps to regain legal status, and provide you with supporting documents from °®¶¹´«Ã½C, to submit to USCIS to complete the petition of your case.

You must follow the instructions and timelines stated by the Advisor. The decision to reinstate your F-1 student status is ultimately up to the USCIS.

You will be notified via your °®¶¹´«Ã½C email. Students who have been denied Reinstatement Assistance from °®¶¹´«Ã½C will have to depart the United States immediately, or transfer to another school that will assist with reinstatement. There are no additional appeals after a Reinstatement Assistance is denied.

REQUEST FOR REINSTATEMENT ASSISTANCE INSTRUCTIONS

International students who have fallen out of status due to a violation that is beyond their control can apply for
a reinstatement of their F-1 student status through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if
°®¶¹´«Ã½C’s International Student Center supports the reinstatement.

Reinstatement Eligibility

  • Student must demonstrate that the failure to maintain status resulted from circumstances beyond the
    student’s control. Such circumstances might include serious injury or illness, natural disaster, or closure
    of an institution
  • Student does not have a record of repeated violations
  • Student has not engaged in unauthorized employment
  • Have been out of status for less than five (5) month
  •  Must be registered full-time (12 units) at °®¶¹´«Ã½C for the next regular term (Fall or Spring)
  • Be able to remain in the U.S. while the application is pending with USCIS (approximately 4 to 6 months)
  • Student must have received a reinstatement suppo