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Reinstatement to F-1 Student Status

Note: Please allow 5-7 business day for ISS processing. Processing times at USCIS can vary.

An international student who has failed to maintain their F-1 student status may apply to USCIS to be reinstated to lawful F-1 student status at the discretion of the USCIS under limited conditions.

Certain international students are not permitted to apply for reinstatement of their F-1 status while in the U.S.  Such students may still be eligible for F-1 status, but the only way they can get F-1 status is through obtaining an F-1 visa and re-entering the U.S.

A reinstatement application requires complex analysis, and may significantly impact the student's immigration status and eligibility for future immigration benefits.

A reinstatement application is filed by a student — not Metro State. Therefore, students needing advice and help planning and adopting strategy related to their reinstatement and application to USCIS are recommended to meet with a qualified immigration attorney.

Immigration attorney resources:

Reinstatement eligibility requirements

In order to apply for reinstatement, students must:

  • Not been out of status for more than 5 months prior to filing for reinstatement (unless the student can show that there were exceptional circumstances that prevented the student from filing during the 5-month period)
  • Not have a record of repeated or willful violations
  • Not result from "a willful failure on the part of the student "
  • Be pursuing, or will in the next available term be pursuing, a full course of study
  • Not have engaged in unauthorized employment
  • Not be deportable on any grounds other than the status violation for which reinstatement is being requested
  • Have a status violation that resulted from circumstances beyond the student's control
  • Be able to prove extreme hardship if the application for reinstatement is not approved
  1. The student must write a letter of explanation
    1. Why are you out of status? (specify the violation)?
    2. What is the reason for the status violation?
    3. What is the effect on you if you don’t receive reinstatement?
    4. Include a statement that you are currently pursuing or are intending to pursue a full course of study?
    5. Specifically request that USCIS reinstate your F-1 student status.
  2. Form I-539 (Application to Extend Status/Change Nonimmigrant Status)
  3. Financial Support Documents
    1. Documents must adhere to the following:
      1. Be originals, photocopies, scanned copies or faxed documents printed on bank letterhead and certified with the bank’s stamp or seal; we reserve the right to verify authenticity
      2. Be dated within six months of today’s date
      3. If financial support will be provided by anyone other than the student, the sponsor must submit a letter in English indicating his/her willingness to support the student
    2. All documents must be written In English; if English is not the language in which the bank documents are issued, the bank documents must be accompanied by a certified, literal English translation.
  4. I-94 information
  5. Official transcripts for all U.S. schools attended since you came to the U.S.
  6. COLOR Copy of valid passport (biographical and extension pages)
  7. New I-20 issued for the purpose of reinstatement by Metro State with DSO signature
  8. Copies of all previous I-20’s from all schools attended
  9. Any other documentation that might help establish the nature of the violation
  10. Online filing fee: $420.00
  11. If the student’s SEVIS record has been terminated/completed for more than 5 months, SEVIS I-901 fee: $350.00
    1. Print out the receipt to submit

Applications to apply for reinstatement are submitted ONLINE if the student is submitting the application to USCIS only for themselves, without any co-applicants.

Applications to apply for reinstatement are submitted using the paper form I-539 to:

U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS
Attn: I-539
P.O. Box 4010
Carol Stream, IL 60197-4010

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS
Attn: I-539 (Box 4010)
2500 Westfield Drive
Elgin, IL 60124-7836

Please note:

USCIS must receive the student’s application within 30 days from the DSO signature date on page 1. Failure to do so will result in an automatic denial of the student’s application.

A request for premium processing using the Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing with the USCIS guarantees adjudication of a USCIS application within a set time frame.

Current USCIS processing times

Premium processing guarantees USCIS will process reinstatement applications within 30 calendar days of receiving the premium processing request. The fee for premium processing is $1,965.

If you submit your Form I-907 AND your Form I-539 at the same time, you may file online together.

If you submit your Form I-907 AFTER you have submitted your Form I-539, you must mail to:

U.S. Postal Service (USPS):
USCIS
Attn: I-907
P.O. Box 4200
Carol Stream, IL 60197-4010

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-907 (Box 4200)
2500 Westfield Drive
Elgin, IL 60124-7836

More information on How Do I Request Premium Processing

  • The student must continue a full-time program of study while their application for reinstatement to F-1 student status is pending.
  • The student MUST remain in the U.S. while their application for reinstatement to F-1 student status is being adjudicated by USCIS. In the student leaves the U.S. prior to adjudication, the application will be considered abandoned and the application will be denied.
  • The student is not eligible for any employment authorization prior to the approval of the reinstatement to F-1 student status.
  • If the student’s application for reinstatement to F-1 student status is denied the student may be required to leave the U.S. on short notice.
  • Whether the student’s application is approved or denied there is an official record of a violation of status in Department of Homeland Security files. Status violations can have future impact on eligibility for immigration benefits such as adjustment of status.
  • Filing your request to USCIS on the wrong form may result in the rejection or denial of your case. USCIS will not refund your filing fees if your case is denied.