J-1 reinstatement must be requested by the Responsible Officer or an Alternate Responsible Officer after establishing whether or not you meet the eligibility requirements outlined above. You may remain in the U.S. while awaiting the decision about your reinstatement application.
Applications for reinstatement must be submitted to the Department of State by the Responsible Officer or an Alternate Responsible Officer. The application will typically include the following documents:
- Copies of all of your DS-2019s
- A new Form DS-2019 reflecting the request for reinstatement
- A copy of your I-901 SEVIS Fee receipt for your SEVIS record
- A written statement and documentary evidence supporting that statement:
- Declaring that you are pursuing and have pursued at all times the Exchange Visitor program activity for which you entered the U.S.
- Showing that the failure to maintain status was due to circumstances beyond your control, AND
- Showing that denial of the reinstatement request would create an unusual hardship for you.
If you have violated their status and your SEVIS record has been terminated, you will be contacted by an OISSS advisor as soon as the violation is noticed. If you plan to file for reinstatement, you should work closely with an OISSS advisor throughout this process.
Travel and Re-entry
Travel and re-entry is an option for you to regain valid F-1 or J-1 status by beginning a new period of F-1 or J-1 status. This is accomplished by obtaining a new I-20 or DS-2019 and departing the U.S. You will then use the new I-20 or DS-2019 – and possibly a new F-1 or J-1 visa – to re-enter the U.S. If are readmitted to the United States by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), you will be granted a new period of valid F-1 or J-1 status.