PROCEDURES FOR REINSTATEMENT TO F-1 STATUS

  1. Register as a full-time student and pay your tuition.

  2. Prepare a letter to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) stating that you wish to apply for reinstatement and explaining why you:
    1. discontinued enrollment;
    2. were not registered as a full-time student;
    3. or failed to enroll in the school that issued the I-20 you used to enter the United States.
    NOTE:
    INS does not generally approve reinstatement requests due to financial hardship.

  3. Provide documentation supporting your letter of explanation. For example, if you lost your F-1 status because illness prevented you from attending school, then provide a written medical excuse from your physician. Whatever your reason, supporting documentation is extremely helpful.

  4. Complete the Form I-539 (GET IT FROM OUR OFFICE).

  5. Prepare current financial documentation including the Financial Certification Form, Affidavit of Support Form (GET IT FROM OUR OFFICE) and bank statement.

  6. Submit the following documents to ISS for review:
    1. letter of explanation and supporting documents,
    2. financial documentation,
    3. I-539 and your original I-20(s).
    4. I-94, copies of passport validity and visa stamp.

  7. Pick-up your reinstatement materials from ISS . You will be issued a new I-20 along with your other reinstatement materials. Please sign the new I-20 on the bottom of page 1.

  8. Make photocopies of all of the reinstatement materials listed below, then mail the originals to INS by registered mail, "return receipt requested":
    1. letter of explanation & supporting documents;
    2. I-539,
    3. I-94 (original),
    4. new I-20 and previous I-20's issued by Queens College and other colleges,
    5. financial documentation,
    6. $100 check or money order made payable to INS,
    7. copies of the first few pages of your passport which shows that your passport is current. DO NOT SEND YOUR ORIGINAL PASSPORT.

  9. MAIL ALL OF THE ABOVE TO:
    IMMIGRATION & NATURALIZATION SERVICE
    26 FEDERAL PLAZA
    NEW YORK, NY 10278
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