Can a student who is “out of status” regain legal status?
If a student drops below a full course of study without prior approval from a coordinator of international student services, that “event” would be reported to immigration, via SEVIS, and he or she would be out of status. The student may apply to immigration for reinstatement if the violation resulted from circumstances beyond his or her control. Reinstatement is intended to be a rare benefit for exceptional cases. The student may not apply for reinstatement under any circumstances if he or she is out of status longer than five months. If immigration does not reinstate the student, he or she may not appeal that decision.
