Correction of Status

Please review the information on this page carefully. All steps for correcting your status have been provided below.

If after reviewing this page you still have questions, make an appointment with an ISS Senior Advisor in QLess. Select Correction of Status as the reason for your advising appointment. At the appointment, you can discuss your situation and options to correct your status.

Option 1: Leave the U.S. and Return with Initial Attendance I-20

If your current F-1 visa is expired, you will need to apply for a new F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate BEFORE returning the U.S. on the new SEVIS ID. This option would allow you to immediately regain F-1 status when you reenter the U.S.

• • You need to be enrolled for 1 academic year to be eligible for CPT or OPT employment authorization.
  • You must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee again using the new SEVIS ID#.
  • Since this option requires you to travel, plan ahead. Reenter the U.S. in F-1 status no more than 30 days before the program start date on your I-20 and make sure that your admission to the U.S. is recorded using your new SEVIS ID#.

Option 2: Reinstatement within U.S.

Once you receive your reinstatement I-20, submit an application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Do not travel outside of the U.S. again until your reinstatement application has been approved. This option can take 6 months or more. While your application is pending at USCIS, , you must continue to enroll full-time. You are not eligible for any on-campus or off-campus employment while the application is pending.

• • There is a filing fee to apply for reinstatement with USCIS.

After deciding which option is the best for you, you will need to submit a Correction of Status request in Terra Dotta to receive a reinstatement I-20. Processing time for this application is around 10-15 business days but may vary.

• Read all instructions on the Terra Dotta request.
• Your academic/faculty advisor or graduate coordinator must complete the electronic verification in Terra Dotta.
• You must submit adequate financial documentation to show that you are able to pay tuition and living expenses for one academic year. You can find funding requirements on the Estimated Expenses link in Terra Dotta. Since you are not eligible to work while your reinstatement application is pending with USCIS, you cannot submit graduate assistantship or other employment letters.

Based on the option you chose, you can follow the instructions below.

These are your steps, once you receive your initial attendance I-20 with a new SEVIS ID#.

1. Pay the SEVIS fee
   • Dependents in F-2 status are not required to pay the fee.
2. Depart the U.S. and Reenter with your new SEVIS ID
   • If you are crossing into the U.S. by land border (via Canada or Mexico) please apply up to 7 days in advance for a Provisional I-94. For more information about the Provisional I-94 visit the CBP website.
3. Complete ISO and Check-in in Terra Dotta.
   • Once we review your ISO & ISS Check-in, we will register your SEVIS record and provide you with a Continued Attendance I-20 with a valid travel signature.

Things to Remember:

• Plan ahead if you need to renew your visa. Make sure you have an appointment secured before you travel so you can have the new visa before returning to the U.S.
• Contact the U.S. Consulate/Embassy in your home country to determine if you must apply for a new F-1 visa.
• Your legal F-1 status begins when you enter the U.S. an obtain a new I-94 record.
• You must be enrolled full-time for two semesters after you reenter the U.S. to be eligible for off-campus employment authorization.

Your next steps after you receive your reinstatement I-20 from ISS:

1. If you have been without legal status for five months or more, pay the SEVIS fee.
   • The SEVIS fee must be paid at least three business days before you file your Reinstatement application with USCIS. F-2 dependents are not required to pay the fee.
2. Submit your reinstatement application to USCIS.
   • You must submit form I-539 to USCIS to apply for reinstatement. We recommend you apply using the USCIS online application portal.
   • If you need support with your application, you can submit an Information Request in QLess.
3. Upload a copy of your I-797 Receipt Notice to Terra Dotta.
   • Once your application has been received by USCIS, you will receive a receipt notice to the address listed on your I-539. Once you receive your I-797A receipt notice by mail, upload a copy of that notice to your Terra Dotta Correction of Status record.
   • If you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) from USCIS, upload the RFE to Terra Dotta and send an Information Request in QLess immediately so that we may assist and advise appropriately.
4. Notify ISS when your reinstatement is approved or denied.
   • If you have been approved:
     • Once you receive the Form I-797 approval notice from USCIS, complete International Student Orientation (ISO) and ISS Check-in for the term i which you were approved. In the ISS Check-in, upload your I-797 approval notice instead of the I-94 record.
     • ISS will review your ISO & ISS Check-in and either email you to let you know if something is missing or if it is approved. Once approved we will register your SEVIS record and issue you a Continued Attendance I-20 with a valid travel signature.
   • If your application for reinstatement is denied:
     • Report to ISS by uploading the I-797 Denial Notice to your Terra Dotta Correction of Status record. Send an Information Request in QLess and we will advise you of next steps.

As soon as you know you are out of status, make an appointment with an advisor through QLess or send an information request to your ISS Advisor. ISS cannot advise on a Correction of Status during Drop-in advising. When you meet with an ISS Advisor you can discuss your situation and evaluate your options to correct your status.

You may be given a minor infraction on your J-1 SEVIS record. More information on Rules and Minor/Technical Infractions can be found here. Your discussion with your ISS advisor will determine which classification you will be under, and steps to correct your status.