Correcting a Terminated F-1 Record

Correcting a Terminated F-1 Record

F-1 students are required to maintain status by honoring the rules of their non-immigrant status.

There are two methods for correcting a terminated F-1 record: 

  1. Travel with a New/Initial I-20/DS-2019
  2. Reinstatement within the United States through U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)

Both methods have benefits and risks, so it's important to seek advice from an international student adviser.

Travel with a New/Initial I-20/DS-2019

If you wish to return to Penn State for in-person studies after a withdrawal or military service, or come back after an academic suspension or a leave of absence, please follow these steps:

  1. Complete the re-enrollment process with the Registrar’s Office (undergraduates) or through the Graduate School (graduate students).
    Note: ISSA can process your returning student I-20/DS-2019 only after we can confirm that you are approved to return by the Registrar’s Office or your
  2. About 3 months before the date of your approved return to the University, request a new I-20 or DS-2019 via iStart > I-20 or DS-2019 Requests > Returning Students. You will be required to upload recent financial support documents with this request. More information about financial requirements can be found our website.
    Note: If your Penn State access account is no longer active, log in to iStart through Limited Services.

F-1 Reinstatement (within the U.S.) 

An application for reinstatement is possible for those who:

  • Lost their status due to circumstances beyond their control (e.g., serious illness); and
  • Have not engaged in unauthorized employment;
  • Do not have a record of repeated violations, or
  • Have not been out-of-status for more than five (5) months.

Students who have filed for reinstatement should:

  • Follow the rules for maintaining status, such as continued enrollment;
  • Not travel outside the U.S. while the reinstatement request is pending; and
  • Not be employed on or off campus while the reinstatement application is being processed.

Step 1: Request your Reinstatement I-20 by completing the Reinstatement form in iStart. To do this, you will need to submit recent financial documents.

Step 2: Submit the reinstatement application Form I-539 to USCIS with the following documents:

  1. Copy of Reinstatement I-20 signed by you.
  2. Copies of financial support documents used to obtain the I-20.
  3. Letter explaining the reason for the reinstatement request and the circumstances of the violation. It should also state that the student will not violate status again.
  4. Any other letter(s) explaining the circumstances (e.g., from the international student adviser, academic adviser, or medical professional)
  5. Copies of all current immigration documents (e.g., previous I-20s, most recent arrival record I-94, valid passport, visa stamp, if applicable)
  6. Official Transcript (visit Penn State's online transcript request form)
  7. Copy of current and/or future class schedule
  8. Pay the processing fee for form I-539.