Office of International Programs (OIP)


Reinstatement/Travel Re-Entry

In general, there are two ways to regain F-1 status:
1. Travel/Re-Entry: Travel outside the U.S. and re-enter in the new status, or
2. Reinstatement: Stay in the U.S. and request a reinstatement by application to the USCIS. See instruction below.

Please speak to an OIP International Student Advisor before choosing either option. Once you gain F-1 status you must notify OIP by submitting the photocopies of your I-94 card (if you traveled) or I-20 with an Approval Stamp (if you filed a change of status application)

  Travel/Re-Entry Reinstatement
Cost 鈥 Plane ticket to home country
鈥 Visa application fee
鈥 SEVIS Fee: $200 		鈥 USCIS Processing Fee: $290
鈥 SEVIS Fee: $200 (Required if you have been "out of status" more than 5 months)
Processing
Time 		You may travel during semester breaks to 鈥渇ix鈥 your status. There is no need to apply for an F-1 visa if your current F-1 visa is still valid. USCIS Processing Time: 3-4 months.

This processing length can change at any time and is not guaranteed. You must register for a full-time course load while the reinstatement application is pending.
Other
Concerns 		It may be difficult to travel in the middle of the semester. OIP recommends students to apply for reinstatement if they are not able to travel.

Students will not be eligible for F-1 benefits (Off-Campus Employment) until they enroll in a Full-Time status for one full academic year. 		Once denied student must leave the U.S. immediately 鈥 no grace period.

*Adapted from UC Berkeley International Office website.

Instruction for Travel/Re-Entry:

You must request an initial attendance I-20 by speaking to an International Student Advisor at OIP. You are required to take the following steps to guarantee your F-1 student status:

  • Use the new SEVIS ID number to pay the mandatory SEVIS Fee: If you are applying for a new visa, you will need to bring the SEVIS Fee receipt to the interview. When you re-enter the U.S., please keep your SEVIS Fee receipt with you, as the Immigration Service at your U.S. port-of-entry may ask to see it. For more information about the Fee, please review our website鈥檚 SEVIS Fee section
  • Speak with an International Student Advisor at OIP immediately upon your return to the U.S.: Bring your I-94, passport, and 鈥渋nitial attendance鈥 I-20 stamped by an immigration official at the U.S. Port of Entry with you. We will register you in SEVIS as a continuing international student. Failure to report to OIP may result in the termination of your F-1 student status
  • You may not enter the U.S. any earlier than 30 days before the start date on your I-20 (see item #5)
  • You may also be subject to special entry & exit requirements under the U.S. VISIT program: As a result of increased security measures, you may be fingerprinted and photographed each time you enter the U.S.

Instruction for Applying for Reinstatement

A student who fails to maintain F-1 student status should apply for reinstatement with the USCIS. Examples of how a student may fail to maintain status are:

  • Failure to complete the I-20 transfer procedure on time when changing schools or degree programs.
  • Failure to apply for an extension of program before I-20 expires
  • Failure to complete a full course of study during a given semester (without a valid exception as determined by USCIS regulations)


A student who is out of status is not eligible for on-campus employment, practical training or any other F-1 student benefit until an application for reinstatement to F-1 student status has been approved by the USCIS.

Students who are out-of-status may be eligible for reinstatement if they can satisfy both of the following two conditions:

  • Must not have been out-of-status for more than 5 months, unless you can show exceptional circumstances beyond your control such as serious injury or illness, natural disaster, closure of your school, or inadvertence, oversight, or neglect on the part of International Student Advisor
  • Does not have a record of repeated or willful violations of USCIS regulations

To Apply for Reinstatement

Step 1
Please schedule a 30-minute appointment to meet with an advisor AFTER you have ALL of the following documents. Do not come to drop-in advising hours.

  1. Completed & signed Form I-539 . On Part 2, Question #1c, please write "reinstatement to F-1 student status鈥. On Part 3, Question #1, please write "D/S." OIP discourages student to submit Change of Status application via e-file
  2. Photocopies of the original I-94 (Front and back)
  3. Photocopies of your current visa stamp and biographical page of your passport, or photocopies of your current immigration document showing USCIS approval of your status
  4. Financial documentation from you or your sponsor(s): The proof must be less than 6 months old. If your evidence appears weak, USCIS may return your application without processing it and request an I-134, "Affidavit of Support." This form can only be prepared by U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents/immigrants. Questions about funding should be directed to the International Student Advisor before submission of materials. Monthly bank statements will not be accepted
  5. Sponsor鈥檚 letters (if any)
  6. Your letter of explanation
    Write a one-page (no longer) letter that explains in detail the circumstances or reasons which caused you to violate your F-1 student status. Include evidence supporting your case, if possible. Your letter should include the following points:

    You are currently enrolled as a full-time student and/or that you intend to pursue a full course of study for the next semester (undergraduates/12 units; graduates/8 units)

    You have not been employed off campus without authorization

    You have not violated any other immigration regulations

    Your failure to maintain F-1 student status was due to circumstances beyond your control

    Failure to receive reinstatement to student status would result in extreme hardship

  7. Photocopies of all PRIOR I-20s from previous schools you were authorized to attend
  8. Official transcripts from SF State and any other U.S. schools you may have attended


An advisor will review all the documents you are going to submit to USCIS during the appointment and let you know if there is anything missing. You will need to leave all the documents (except your passport) with the advisor after the appointment.

Step 2
A reinstatement I-20 will be issued to you. You need to pick the application package (including I-20) within 5 business days (or follow advisor鈥檚 instruction)

Submit the following application materials by certified mail to: USCIS, P.O. Box 660166, Dallas, TX 75266.

For Express mail and courier deliveries: USCIS, ATTN: I-539, 2501 S. State Highway 121, Business Suite 400, Lewisville, TX 75067

  1. Completed and signed Form I-539
  2. Money order or check in the amount of $290.00 payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If you are submitting a personal check, your name and address must be printed on the check by your bank. USCIS will not accept temporary checks that are issued while you are waiting for your final checks.
  3. Original reinstatement I-20 (student must sign the bottom of page 1)
  4. Original I-94. This white card can be found in your passport. Do not send photocopy.
  5. Your letter of explanation
  6. Photocopies of your current visa stamp and biographical page of your passport, or photocopies of your current immigration document showing USCIS approval of your status
  7. Financial documentation from you or your sponsor(s)
  8. Sponsor鈥檚 letters (if any)
  9. Photocopies of all PRIOR I-20s from previous schools you were authorized to attend
  10. Official transcripts from SF State and any other U.S. schools you may have attended
  11. SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt (Required if you have been "out of status" more than 5 months). Pay SEVIS fee and print receipt online at https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/ after you pick up the I-20

For your convenience, OIP will provide a pre-addressed envelope containing all of the documents that you need to send to the USCIS. OIP recommends you to make copies of the application package for yourself before you send it. OIP also recommends you to send the package by certified mail and request a return receipt. To request the service of "certified mail, return receipt" at the post office requires additional fees.

Step 3
After approval, the USCIS will issue you a new I-94 with the F-1 designation which will note "D/S", which means that the F-1's status is valid for the one degree program plus any authorized period(s) of practical training plus 60 days. You will also receive the I-20 with an approval stamp on it.

You must submit photocopies of your I-20 with approval stamp, the front and back of the I-94 card to oip by fax (fax number: 415.338.6234) or via e-mail at oip@sfsu.edu within 30 days of the approval date. OIP will update our records to reflect your new status. Failure to report to OIP may result in the termination of your F-1 student status.


SF State Home