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Reinstatement

A student whose SEVIS record has been terminated because they failed to maintain status may apply to USCIS to be reinstated to lawful F-1 status. Reinstatement is only granted under the limited conditions specified in DHS regulations, and in the discretion of USCIS. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(16)

Please remember that it is best to make sure the reinstatement application is received by USCIS within 5 months of the end of your status. If your application is received more than 5 months after the end of your F-1 status, you will also have to pay a new SEVIS I-901 fee and include proof of payment with your reinstatement application. You may take classes full-time while you wait on your reinstatement application to be processed.

These are the steps to file for reinstatement:
  • Have your SEVIS record transferred to us. Submit the Transfer Verification Form to them. If they have questions about us accepting the terminated record, you can send them this email as confirmation of our acceptance of your terminated SEVIS record.
  • Submit the Student I-20/DS-2019 Request Form.
    • Select “Other” as the reason and enter Reinstatement.
  • Secure original proof of financial support for 1 year in the amount of $34,300.
    • If the funding is not from you, your sponsor must submit a Financial Data Form found at www.unr.edu/oiss/forms.
    • The funding may be from more than 1 source but you will need a Financial Data Form for each source other than yourself.
    • You should send at least three months of original proof of financial support to USCIS.
  • Complete and sign Form I-539.
    • The word "REINSTATEMENT" should be written at the top of the 1st page of the form to further distinguish it from other uses of Form I-539.
    • In Part 2 of the Form I-539, you must indicate that you are applying for reinstatement.
    • Include the proper I-539 application fee, $370 plus an additional $85 biometric services fee, in the form of a check, money order, cashier’s check payable to "U.S. Department of Homeland Security".  When filing at a USCIS Lockbox facility, you may also pay by credit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions.
  • Write a letter of explanation addressed to USCIS, stating the following:
    • specify the violation that led to you being out of status and the reason for the violation;
    • the effect on you if you do not receive reinstatement;
    • a statement that you are currently pursuing or are intending to pursue a full course of study;
    • ties to your home country; and
    • specifically request that USCIS reinstate you to F-1 student status.
    • You may also include a list of included documents.
  • Submit a copy of your current visa, bio page of your passport, and I-94.
  • Copy of your University of Nevada, Reno admission letter.
  • Copy of your unofficial transcript to show enrollment.
  • Once you secure the above documents, call the OISS to schedule a 1-hour appointment with me and bring all the above documents to your appointment. I will review everything and if your documents are in order, I will recommend reinstatement for you.
  • If I recommend reinstatement, you will mail the following documents to USCIS (make a copy of everything you send for your records). Check the “Where to File” section at http://www.uscis.gov/i-539 for the mailing address. We recommend you select a tracking option when you mail your documents.
    • Payment of the filing fee of $455
    • Original Form I-539
    • Copy of the 1st and 2nd pages of the new reinstatement I-20
    • Your original letter requesting reinstatement
    • Any other supporting documents
    • 3 months of original financial documents
    • Original I-94 (front and back if you have a paper version in your passport) and copies of your visa and the bio page of your current passport
    • Copy of your admission letter
    • Copy of your unofficial transcript
    • Proof of payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee if you have been out of status for more than 5 months by the time USCIS will receive your application
    • Proof of ties to your home country such as current telephone bills, current utility bills, current mortgage statements, current rental agreements, or current rental receipts for your foreign residence.
If I do not recommend reinstatement, you will have to leave the country immediately.