F1 Visa - Reinstatement
🇺🇸 What Is “F1 Visa Reinstatement”?
“F1 Visa Reinstatement” is the process of restoring a student’s legal F-1 status in the United States after they have lost it for certain reasons.
🎓 1. When Do You Need Reinstatement?
You need to apply for F1 reinstatement if you fall under one of the following situations:
You stopped attending classes for longer than permitted without school authorization.
You failed to maintain full-time enrollment.
You transferred schools or changed your academic level incorrectly in SEVIS.
Your I-20 expired or your SEVIS record was terminated.
You did not meet academic or reporting requirements set by your school.
⚖️ 2. Two Options When You Lose F1 Status
When you are “out of status,” you generally have two choices:
🅰️ Reinstatement (Stay in the U.S.)
You remain in the U.S. and submit a reinstatement application to USCIS.
You must prove that the violation was unintentional and beyond your control — not a deliberate violation.
While waiting for a decision, you are not allowed to work, including on-campus employment.
If approved, you keep your original SEVIS ID and continue your studies.
🅱️ New I-20 and Reentry (Leave and Return)
You leave the U.S., obtain a new I-20, and re-enter the country with a new F1 visa.
This creates a new SEVIS ID, and your previous stay in the U.S. will not count as continuous for benefits like OPT or CPT.
📋 3. Eligibility for Reinstatement
USCIS will only approve reinstatement if you can show that:
The violation was unintentional or beyond your control (e.g., illness, system error, family emergency).
You are currently enrolled or intend to resume full-time study.
You have not worked illegally while in the U.S.
Reinstatement would serve the public interest and not abuse the F1 program.
You file the application within 5 months of your SEVIS termination.
📦 4. Required Documents for Reinstatement (Basic Set)
Submit to USCIS:
Form I-539 – Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
Letter of Explanation – detailing why you fell out of status and requesting reinstatement
New Form I-20 issued by your school (marked “Reinstatement Requested”)
Copies of passport, visa, and I-94
Financial evidence showing ability to pay tuition and living expenses
USCIS filing fees (currently around $370 + $85 biometrics fee)
⏳ 5. Processing Time
Usually takes 3–9 months, depending on the USCIS service center.
🚫 6. If Reinstatement Is Denied
If your application is denied, you will lose legal status completely and must leave the U.S. immediately — otherwise, you will begin to accrue unlawful presence.
💡 Recommendations
If the violation is minor and recent, applying for reinstatement within the U.S. is often the better option.
If the violation is serious or you’re at high risk of denial, it may be safer to leave the U.S. and re-enter with a new I-20.
Always work closely with your DSO (Designated School Official) before deciding which option to pursue.
🎓 P2P Advisors – Supporting Students in Regaining Their F1 Visa Status
Over the years, P2P Advisors (www.p2padvisors.com) has successfully assisted many international students in the U.S. whose I-20 was terminated to reinstate their F1 student visa status, allowing them to continue pursuing their educational dreams in America.
Many students lose their status due to various reasons — such as temporary breaks from study, failure to maintain full-time enrollment, or administrative errors during school transfers. Without proper guidance or if handled incorrectly, their reinstatement requests may be denied, resulting in the loss of legal student status in the U.S.
💡 Contacting P2P Advisors early is crucial.
Our team needs sufficient time to analyze your case carefully, identify a suitable academic program, and prepare a strong reinstatement explanation to submit to USCIS.
⏳ There is only a limited “golden period” to apply for reinstatement.
Once this time passes, the chance of being approved becomes very difficult.
At P2P Advisors, we are committed to walking alongside students at every stage of their journey — from school selection and visa counseling to helping them return to and maintain their lawful F1 student status in the United States.
