A student who has failed to maintain F-1 student status and who wishes to return or transfer to Colorado State University must apply for and be granted reinstatement to F-1 student status by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Students who do not wish to apply for reinstatement or do not feel they will be successful in their reinstatement application may leave the U.S. and re-enter using a new I-20 with a new SEVIS number.

Either option to regain status should be discussed with an International Student Advisor.

Please note: Depending on the time of academic year, it may take up to 7-10 business days for our office to process your request once our office receives your request.

Common Violations of F-1 Status Include (But Are Not Limited To)

• Failure to extend I-20 before the program expiration date
• Failure to complete F-1 transfer-in or transfer-out procedures in a timely manner
• Failure to enroll in a full course of study (without prior authorization from ISSS to do so)
• Failure to notify ISSS of an address change

If you think you may be out of status, please visit ISSS immediately and meet with an International Student Advisor during Open Advising hours. The longer you wait to address the problem, the more difficult it can become to fix it.

Eligibility to Apply for Reinstatment

An F-1 student may be reinstated to F-1 status by USCIS if the student can establish the following:

• Have not been out of status for more than 5 months at the time of filing the request for reinstatement
• Does not have a record of repeated or willful violations of F-1 regulations
• The need for reinstatement did not result from “a willful failure on the part of the student”
• Is currently pursuing, or intending to pursue, a full course of study at the school that issued the I-20
• Has not engaged in unauthorized employment
• Is not deportable on any ground other than the status violation for which reinstatement is being requested

Application Checklist

• A completed Form I-539 with the word REINSTATEMENT written on the top of the form in red
  • If you have any dependents that you are including with your application, they must each complete and sign a separate Form I-539A
  • Parents or guardians may sign on behalf of children under 14 or any co-applicant who is not mentally competent to sign.
• A $370 filing fee made out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• An $85 biometrics fee, followed by an appointment at the USCIS Application Support Center closest to the primary applicant’s address; this will be scheduled after the applicant receives a biometric services appointment notice.
  • If you have any dependents that you are including with your application, regardless of age, they must each pay an $85 biometrics fee and schedule an appointment at the same USCIS Application Support Center as the primary applicant. Co-applicants who wish to be scheduled at a different ASC location should file a separate Form I-539.
• A copy of your previous I-20 form
• A printout of your I-94 form
• Evidence of continued funding
• A copy of your transcript or class schedule
• A written statement requesting reinstatement which explains that the violation of student status resulted from circumstances beyond your control and/or that the failure to be reinstated would result in extreme hardship
• Any other documentation that supports your claim

Once all materials are gathered, have an International Student Advisor review the packet and issue you a new I-20 recommending you for reinstatement. 

Please Note: It may take several months for your application to be processed by USCIS. You should not travel outside of the U.S. during this time, or USCIS may consider your application abandoned. You can check your status with your receipt number.