Termination
Although the OISS provides information and services to ensure that F-1 international students understand their immigration requirements, it is ultimately the student's responsibility to remain compliant with immigration and university regulations throughout their program of study.
The Office for International Students and Scholars has a responsibility to report your student information to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. If you fail to maintain your F-1 status for any reason, OISS may be required to terminate your F-1 record per SEVP regulations. You will get multiple emails from an OISS advisor if your record is at risk of termination.
Termination of a SEVIS record is very serious and has many negative consequences for your current and future immigration record. Termination means you are not in legal status ("out of status") per the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Reasons for Termination of a SEVIS record may include but are not limited to the following:
- Unauthorized off-campus employment
- Not taking a full course load of classes
- Not taking enough in-person classes
- Academic Dismissal
- Expelled or Suspended from EMU
In most cases, the termination means that the student is not in legal status and must make plans to immediately depart from the United States. OISS is responsible for reporting the termination to the government, not for the policing or deportation of the student, so it is the student’s responsibility to make plans to depart the U.S. immediately to avoid accruing unlawful presence.
Depending on the termination reason, you may have the option to continue your studies at EMU using the two following scenarios:
Option 1: Travel and Reenter the U.S. with a new I-20 and new SEVIS ID (Highly Recommended)
As long as you have a valid visa that allows for multiple entries and has not expired you can simply travel outside the U.S. with a new I-20 that has a new SEVIS ID and reenter the country. Keep in mind that the I-20 will be processed with a start date for the next available semester, so if your record is terminated in the middle of a term, you will need to wait to reenter the U.S. until the start of the next term that is reflected on the I-20. You will be required to attend orientation again to have your record activated in SEVIS. If your visa has expired, you will need to renew your visa prior to returning. Please be aware, that your termination and/or unlawful presence in the U.S. may affect your ability to renew your visa.
Option 2: Apply for Reinstatement
Depending on the circumstances, if the status violation was due to circumstances beyond the student’s control and travel and reentry is not possible, an alternative option is to apply for reinstatement. The student will fill out and apply to USCIS to attempt to reinstate their previous SEVIS record. The student must stay in the U.S. and attend classes while their application is pending. As this involves applying to USCIS, OISS will only provide general guidance, and will not assist in the application process. See the Reinstatement webpage for additional information.
Academic Dismissal, Suspension, and Expulsion
If you have been academically dismissed, suspended, or expelled the above options will not apply to you. If you find yourself in this scenario, you may want to consider returning home to take time away from school and reevaluate your school plans. Students should talk to an OISS advisor if they are struggling with their schoolwork, an advisor may be able to provide options before your record is at risk of termination.