REINSTATEMENT

If an international student with an F-1 Student Visa does not maintain status their visa will become "out-of-status" with the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS).  He/she may be eligible to have their F-1 student visa “re-instated by proving just cause” to a USCIS officer (8CFR214.2(f)(16). 

A Student whose F-1 visa is "out-of-status" with the institution who last issued their SEVIS Form I-20 must be re-instated.  To be re-instated the student must present the ISSO:

·        A letter from the F-1 student explaining circumstances causing this visa problem and including appropriate documents (use a computer to type your response do not hand write this statement).  The USCIS places the "burden of proof" on the student when explaining why they failed to enroll properly.

Qualifications:

·        Establish to the satisfaction of USCIS that your violation of status resulted from circumstances beyond the student's control

·        Currently pursing, or intending to pursue a full course of study at CSUDH

·        Has not engaged in unauthorized employment

·        Has adequate financial means to pay for all expenses without needing to work

·        Is not deportable on any other grounds

Documents that must be mailed to the USCIS include:

A new form I-20 issued by the CSUDH ISSO for “re-instatement” and signed by the student

A USCIS form I-539 for re-instatement with $300 fee paid with check or money order

Your passport and arrival /departure I-94 card (original)

Your written statement explaining why you did not complete the USCIS semester minimum units (very important)

Official copy of your CSUDH transcript

Official copy of transcripts from all other schools attended in the USA

Any previous issued form I-20(s) from other school(s)

Proof of adequate financial support (bank letter) issued in the past month

 COST:  $100 on-line registration fee paid at www.fmjfee.com and $300 check or money order payable to the USCIS.

No telephone number is available to the student for this process.  Everything must be mailed to the USCIS with the assistance of the CSUDH - ISSO.  Students who are already "out-of-status" must contact the school who last issued them a SEVIS form I-20 to be "re-instated by this process."  Code of Federal Regulations governing all foreign students requires that re-instatement be completed before transferring out to any school in the USA.

If a student cannot meet the minimum qualifications for “re-instatement” the USCIS officer will ask the student to volunteer to depart the USA or could refer the student to a judge for a formal hearing.  The USCIS recommends that "a student who thinks they will have difficulty explaining their failure to enroll full-time should plan on returning home" (use your discretion).