Reinstatement Information

General Information

Students who fail to maintain their legal student status in the United States are required to obtain a Reinstatement to legal F-1 student status. Students may fall out of legal status for many different reasons including but not limited to failure to enroll, failure to maintain academic progress, unauthorized part time enrollment, etc. The SEVIS record of a student who has fallen out of legal status must be "terminated" along with the appropriate reason. A student who is "out of status" is not eligible for any benefits of the F-1 status.

IESC assists students with the process of reinstating their legal immigration status to F-1, non-immigrant student. Reinstatements must be processed within five months of termination.

A Reinstatement can be obtained through one of the following procedures:

  • Reinstatement by Re-entry: Travel outside the U.S. with all appropriate documents including an "Initial" I-20. Re-enter the U.S. in valid F-1 status.
  • Reinstatement by Mail-in process: Mail an application requesting reinstatement to legal immigration status to the California Service (CSC). Utilize an I-20 with "Reinstatement requested." Remain in the U.S.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a Reinstatement, you should be enrolled in the current semester at CSUN. IESC will issue an I-20 for you to process the Reinstatement.

Procedures: Please choose one:

  • Reinstatement by Re-entry: Students who plan to travel outside the U.S. and re-enter with an "initial" I-20 should arrange to receive their I-20 from IESC.

Renew your F-1 visa if it has expired or is required in your specific case.

Information on visa applications and US embassies is available at www.travel.state.gov Please verify application requirements, processing times and other information specific to your individual case and home country.

Students are responsible for paying all required fees directly to appropriate agencies or authorities. The new SEVIS I-901 fee of $200 for F-1 applicants has been in effect since October 27, 2008. Please verify whether you need to pay this fee when applying for your visa. Information on the SEVIS I-901 fee is available at www.fmjfee.com/i901fee.

  • Reinstatement through Mail-in process: Students may choose to remain in the U.S and apply for a Reinstatement to the California Service Center (CSC). They are required to meet with a Foreign Student Advisor (FSA) to discuss their options. All information is case specific.

All reinstatements are subject to approval by USCIS. The California Service Center may take more than 90 days to process your application. It is important that you submit your application in a timely manner especially if you are applying for the reinstatement in your final semester and intend to apply for post completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Required Documents: Step 1 is required for both options. Please bring the following to your mandatory meeting with a FSA:

Step 1.

  • Proof of admission to CSUN (for new students)
  • Unofficial Transcript (for continuing students)
  • Current SEVIS I-20
  • Original Affidavit of Financial Support available online at www.csun.edu/anr/intl/apply/index.html (for continuing students)
  • Original Bank Statement verifying the funds from the Affidavit of Financial Support (for continuing students)
  • Student letter of explanation for student file at IESC. Please state clearly and concisely, the circumstances that caused you to fall "out of status."
  • Health and accident insurance policy offering at least U.S. $100,000.00 in major medical and hospital coverage plus $30,000.00 in repatriation and evacuation coverage through the end of the academic year.

A policy can be purchased online at www.csuhealthlink.com and must be paid separately from your tuition. Payments are to be made online only. IESC will not, under any circumstance facilitate payment submission for the purpose of purchasing health insurance. If the policy is purchased elsewhere, please bring a receipt showing proof of expiration date as well as the policy, or a letter from the insurance company with your full name verifying that your current insurance meets the above requirements.

Policies purchased in countries other than the United States must be officially translated in English and all relevant amounts must be in US dollars.

IESC will take 1- 2 weeks to review and process the request. Please call 818-677-3053 to ask if the I-20 is ready for pick up.

Step 2.

This step is required for the mail in option only. Please bring the following to IESC for review by a FSA prior to mailing to the California Service Center. Your FSA will give you a letter supporting your application for a Reinstatement, put your application packet together, and give you mailing instructions.

  • Official transcripts from all schools attended
  • Copies of pages 1 & 3 of I-20s from all schools attended (highly recommended)
  • Copies of Passport and Visa
  • Original I-94 Form
  • Completed form I-539. This form can be downloaded from www.uscis.gov
  • Check for $300 payable to "Department of Homeland Security". Write "for Reinstatement" in memo section of the check
  • DSO letter of explanation and support from previous school (if you fell out of status at that school)
  • Student letter of explanation to be mailed with packet. Please state clearly and concisely, the circumstances that caused you to fall "out of status."

Important:

  • Consulting with an immigration attorney of your choice is highly recommended.
  • IESC does not require ANY fees for the services it provides to international students. No fees, under any circumstances, shall be submitted to IESC. If a student is submitting an application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a check payable to "Department of Homeland Security" will accompany the student's application. Advisors' responsibilities are limited to reviewing the check for accuracy and returning to the student who will mail the application directly to USCIS.

Please contact IESC at (818) 677-3053 or email a Foreign Student Advisor for questions and/or clarifications:

Brenda Acosta

  • College of Engineering and Computer Science

Patricia Marquez

  • College of Art, Media, & Communication
  • College of Social and Behavioral Science
  • College of Education

Rhonda Myers

  • College of Health and Human Development
  • College of Science and Math
  • College of Humanities

Roopa Rawjee

  • College of Business and Economics

RR 03/26/09

back to top