KAPAG ang F1 international student ay hindi nakapanatili ng kanyang status at ang Designated School Official (DSO) ay nagterminate ng kanyang SEVIS Record (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System Record), ang F1 student ay kailangang magfile ng reinstatement ng kanyang F1 status sa USCIS. Maaari din siyang umalis kaagad o lumabas kaagad ng US upang hindi humaba ang panahon na ang F1 student ay wala nang status sa loob ng US. Subalit kung ang termination ng SEVIS Record ay dahil lamang sa pagkakamali ng DSO, hindi na kailangang magfile ng application for reinstatement sa USCIS. Ang DSO ay hihingi lamang ng SEVIS correction o data fix.
Kung ang F1 student ay gustong manatili sa loob ng US ngunit ang kanyang SEVIS Record ay terminated na, siya ay maaaring humiling sa DSO na magbigay ng rekomendasyon para sa kanyang reinstatement sa SEVIS. Kung ang DSO ay magbibigay ng hinihinging rekomendasyon, ang DSO ay mag-iisyu ng panibagong Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status” sa F1 student. Pagkatapos nito, ang F1 student ay magpapasa sa USCIS ng Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. Magbabayad ang F1 student ng filings fee at magbibigay ng mga dokumento para suportahan ang kanyang application for reinstatement.
Mainam na ang application for reinstatement of F1 status ay maipasa sa USCIS sa loob ng 5 buwan mula sa termination ng SEVIS Record. Ang F1 student ay kailangang magpaliwanag kung bakit ang kanyang SEVIS Record ay terminated, kung paano niya mapapanatili ang kanyang F1 student status, at kung paano siya ay mag-aaral ng full-time. Kailangan ding ipakita ng F1 student na wala siyang tala ng paulit-ulit at sinasadyang paglabag sa mga regulasyon ng USCIS, na wala siyang unauthorized employment, at ang kanyang paglabag sa kanyang status ay dahil sa mga pangyayaring hindi niya mapigilan, katulad ng malubhang sakit o pagkakapinsala, pagsarado ng school, o mga natural na sakuna.
Ang USCIS ay magbibigay ng desisyon sa application for reinstatement. Kung ito ay aprubado para sa bagong program, ang F1 student ay kailangang mag-enroll para sa bagong program ayon sa nakasaad sa I-20. Kung ito ay aprubado para sa continuing program, ang F1 student ay kailangang bumalik sa full course of study. Kung ang application ay denied, kailangang sundin ng F1 student ang mga tagubilin sa denial notice.
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If an F1 international student fails to maintain his status and the School’s Designated School Official (DSO) terminates the F1 international student’s SEVIS Record (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System Record), the student must file for reinstatement of F1 status with the USCIS or immediately depart the US. However, if the termination of SEVIS Record is due to error of DSO, the DSO may simply request for SEVIS correction or data fix. No application for reinstatement for F1 status is to be filed with USCIS.
If the student wishes to remain in the US in the F1 status and the SEVIS Record has already been terminated, the student can request the DSO to recommend his reinstatement in SEVIS. If the DSO recommends the reinstatement, the DSO shall issue a new Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status” to the student. The student must then complete and submit to the USCIS Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, together with filing fees and supporting documents.
It is recommended that the student file the application for reinstatement of F1 status within 5 months of termination of SEVIS Record. The student must explain why his SEVIS Record was terminated, how he plans to maintain F1 status, and that he will resume full-time study. The student must also show that he does not have a record of repeated or willful violations of USCIS regulations, that he is not engaged in unauthorized employment, and that the violation of status resulted from circumstances beyond the student’s control, such as serious injury or illness, closure of the school, or natural disaster.
USCIS will then make a decision on the student’s application for reinstatement by accepting the application or rejecting the same. If the student is approved for reinstatement to a new program, the student should enroll for the new program, as stated in Form I-20. If the student is approved for reinstatement to a continuing program, the student should resume full the full course of study. If the application for reinstatement is denied by USCIS, the student should follow the instructions in the denial notice.
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ATTY. RHEA SAMSON is a Partner at LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM. Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson are both licensed to practice law in California and in the Philippines. Both Attorneys were also professors. LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM aims to provide excellent and efficient legal representation to clients, and support clients in achieving their goals and dreams. As professors, Atty. Lindain and Atty. Samson wish to educate the younger generation, as it is through education and continuous study that one can achieve success and serve others.
Please visit our office: LINDAIN & SAMSON LAW FIRM
3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Call or text us: (213) 381.5710
Email us: [email protected].
