Since January 30, 2003 all schools in the United States have been required to use the Internet-based international student tracking system known as SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). Through SEVIS, schools must report the following data to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), formerly INS:

Name, date of birth, country of birth, citizenship, source and amount of financial resources, academic program, level of study, program start and end dates
Change of student or dependent legal name or address
Arrival and enrollment or failure to enroll
Termination date and reason for termination
Graduation prior to the end date listed on the I-20 or DS-2019
Program extension, school transfer, change in level of study, employment authorization, and reinstatement
Registration for less than a full course of study without prior authorization from the OIP

Maintaining Status

To maintain status, students are required to pursue a full course of study, make normal progress towards completing their studies, keep their I-20s valid, and refrain from unauthorized work or other prohibited activities. They may also be authorized to work during the educational program and after completion of studies, provided such work has been properly approved by the Designated School Official (DSO) and/or by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) (depending on the type of work authorization).

When the University issues an I-20 or a DS-2019, it gives the student the core document he/she needs to apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa at a US embassy or consulate, and to enter the US in nonimmigrant F-1 or J-1 status or classification. Children and spouses are admitted in nonimmigrant F-2 or J-2 status or classification, and must be issued their own corresponding SEVIS documents (I-20 or DS-2019) so they can obtain F-2 or J-2 visas.

Violations of Status

Most of the violations listed below can be "forgiven" and status reinstated; however, the last three violations are very serious, and reinstatement is generally not granted:

Failure to report to the I-20-issuing school for SEVIS registration
Failure to register for a given academic term
Failure to make normal progress
Failure to attend the authorized school
Failure to complete the transfer out and transfer in process
Failure to file a timely change of status
Failure to obtain a program extension prior to program end date
Failure to provide notification of an address change in a timely fashion
Failure to depart from the US in an appropriate time
Unauthorized employment
Being out of status for more than 5 months
Remaining in the US after ceasing, terminating, or interrupting studies before the completion of the program

Maintaining J-1 Status

(Text to be added soon)

Applying for Reinstatement

Steps for Applying for Reinstatement to F-1 Status

If you have violated your status, make an appointment to meet with a DSO in the Office of International Programs (OIP), who will discuss the matter and make an assessment as to the appropriateness of pursuing reinstatement. If reinstatement is recommended, then submit to OIP the following materials:

All the documents necessary to issue a new Form I-20, including updated financial support documents
A letter of explanation addressed to CIS specifying why you are out of status, the effect on you should CIS deny your appeal for reinstatement, a statement indicating that you currently pursue or intend to pursue a full course of study, and a specific request that CIS reinstate you to F-1 status
A completed and signed Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
You may also locate this form on the OIP page titled "Forms." In Part 2, item 1 write the phrase "Reinstatement to F-1 Status."
Check to the order of CIS for $195 (amount subject to change; check with OIP before submission.)

Materials to Submit with a Reinstatement Application:

Form I-539...at top: "REINSTATEMENT"
Form I-539 fee, made payable to BCIS
Form I-20 (original)
Student letter explaining why he/she is out of status and requesting reinstatement
DSO Letter recommending reinstatement
Verification of Finances Form and/or Affidavit of Support
Original Form I-94
Any other documentation that might help to support or substantiate the student's appeal for reinstatement (e.g., student sponsor's bank statement and letter from sponsor's employer indicating employment status and salary if finances were the primary reason for losing status)

Upon submission of the above-mentioned documents, OIP will prepare a reinstatement application packet, which you must submit to the CIS/ICE District Office in Charlotte. Here is the mailing address:

Charlotte Sub Office
6130 Tyvola Centre Drive
Charlotte, NC 28217

Traveling outside of the U.S.

Prior to travel outside the U.S., you will need to obtain a signature from a Designated School Official in the Office of International Programs

Practical Training
Dependent Information
Change of Status
Transferring to Another Institution
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