ANG F1 international student ay kailangang mag-maintain ng kanyang student status sa pamamagitan ng full-time enrollment. Kapag ang F1 international student ay hindi nakapag-maintain 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 umalis kaagad ng US upang hindi mag-ipon ng panahon ng unlawful presence sa US. Maaari ring ang F1 student ay magfile ng reinstatement ng kanyang F1 status sa USCIS.
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 kailangang mag-file sa USCIS ng Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, kasama ng filing fee at biometrics fee, at supporting documents para sa F1 reinstatement.
Mainam na ang application for reinstatement of F1 status ay mai-file 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 record 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 F1 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.
An F1 international student has to maintain student status by full-time enrollment. 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 immediately leave the US to prevent accumulating unlawful presence in the U.S. The student may also file for reinstatement of F1 status with the USCIS.
If the student wishes to remain in the U.S. 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 such recommendation is given, 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 the principal of SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C. She has been a member of the State Bar of California for over 15 years and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines for over 20 years. Atty. Samson received her Legal Management degree from the Ateneo de Manila University and her Juris Doctor degree from the Ateneo Law School. She was a Professor for over 10 years, teaching Obligations and Contracts, Labor Laws and Social Legislation and Taxation Law. Atty Samson is the author of The Law on Obligations and Contracts (2016), Working with Labor Laws-Revised Edition (2014) and Working with Labor Laws (2005).
SAMSON LAW FIRM, P.C., 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90010; Phone: (213) 274-4561; Email: HYPERLINK [email protected].
