F-1 Re-application

R

range12

New Member
Hi everyone. I really appreciate you reading through my situation and advice.

I am expected to graduate from a master's program this May, but it will not happen as I did not pass one course last semester due to illness. While my department agreed that I could come back in the fall term to complete the only course, my visa, which expires at the end of May, can not be extended.

Right now, I am faced with two options to finish my program.
1. Leave in May and re-apply a new F-1 visa from the US consulate with a new I-20. I just need one semester to complete the program.
2. Apply for reinstatement even though I am not out of status until the end of May. (Our international office told me that it can be done)

The materials I can provide to support myself is that my failure on the course was due to sickness when the final assignment was due. I can also get support letters from my department saying that I can come back in the fall.

Would you please advice me which option has higher chances of getting approved? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
 
So your I-20 expires in May? In that case, you just file for extension and your school's international office will give you a new I-20 that extends your stay. You don't need a visa or reinstatement or whatever IF you are NOT planning to leave US over the summer and come back in the fall.
 
Actually, the Office did not accept the option to do a program extension, because "the sickness only happened at the end of last semester".

If I leave and re-enter with a new I-20, the SEVIS record of it will also change while the old SEVIS status being "complete". How would it affect my F-1 reapplication?

Thanks!
 
What kind of a bs is that? They are supposed to extend your I20, if you leave and apply for F1 visa you will need an I20 anyway. They cannot give you a whole new I20 as if you are starting a new program. You need to finish your current program. Talk to your department chair and/or graduate school and ask them to talk some sense to these guys at the international office. You need to escalate this and get an extension. If your department is on board and this is your first extension, it shouldn'teven be an issue. I am assuming you have been in status this whole time, registered full time etc.
 
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