Re-entry to Begin New F-1 Status
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F-1 students who are out of status may exit the U.S., and reenter the U.S. with an Initial Attendance I-20 to begin a new F-1 status.
Information about re-entry to begin a new status
You will need to discuss his/her case with an international advisor.
You must request a new I-20, and provide financial documentation for 9 months of support.
You are not eligible for employment when you are out of status.
After you reenter, it will be two long semesters before you will be eligible for off-campus employment benefits. This includes CPT and OPT.
Do not go to Canada or Mexico if you need to obtain a new visa stamp.
You will be required to pay the $100 Department of Homeland Security SEVIS fee even if you do not need to get a new visa. See information on www.fmjfee.com .
Your visa stamp must say "University of North Texas". If it was issued for a different school, you must obtain a new visa stamp.
Travel Information
When requesting the I-20, inform the advisor of your planned U.S. entry date, so the advisor can put the proper date on the I-20.
Make sure you have paid the Department of Homeland Security SEVIS fee at least 3 days before your application for a new visa stamp, or reentry. Print out a receipt. If you are applying for a new visa stamp, you will prove to the consulate that you have paid the fee. If you do not need a new visa stamp, you will show proof of payment to the port of entry. See www.fmjfee.com.
When leaving the U.S., be sure to turn in your I-94 card as you leave. This is particularly important when traveling to Mexico or Canada. They may not want to take it. You may have to ask them to take it and tell them you are making a new, or documented, entry.
When coming back into the U.S., you MUST get a new I-94 card. Again, this is very important coming from Canada or Mexico to make sure you have a new I-94. Check the I-94 card to make sure the information is correct, and that it was issued for F-1.
After returning to the U.S.:
You must bring your stamped I-20 and I-94 card to International Advising immediately to copy for your file.
You must be registered full-time during the semester you will travel.
International Advising will "register" you on the SEVIS system, confirming that you have reported to the school and are registered full-time. You must bring your documents to International Advising early enough to give International Advising time to enter this information inside of 30 days from your entry.
