International Student Forum/ Message Board

Hi, my name's Phuong Hoang F-1 visa from Vietnam, senior in Applied Math, North Carolina State University. I did CPT from January to August 2008 as an Co-op student, but only authorzied to work until May. My company extend my job offer but I did not apply CPT authorization again for that.
The Office of International Services noticed that last week (after 6 months) and they terminated my status. I was fully unaware of this mistake and did return to school after summer.
Now there is two choice:

(1) Fill out from I-539 for F-1 Reinstatement. But the instruction does said they only consider applicant that have not perform unauthorized work.

(2) Get new I-20 from the school. Leave the country and try to re-enter with this new I-20. I feel this is too risky, how can I get throught the U.S Embassy to obtain new visa and also the Immigration Check once I able to fly back.

What should I decide? Please HELP ME OUT, I have only one semester left to finish my degree.

Hello, i had a similar situation and was out of status for a few months. Our international adviser gave me the same choices: either go back home and try to come back or apply for reinstatement. I decided that going back home was too risky so i put up a reinstatement package with a letter explaining that i didn't know that i was out of status. i also wrote that I had been going to school as a full time student during the whole time and was in good academic standing (just tell them the truth; you are not the first out of status case they see nor will you be the last). Of course i prayed God before sending the package and yes, they reinstated me. So, do what you think is best, hope everything works out. good luck

Hi PhuongHoang ..

I am in a similar situation .. only difference is I UNKNOWINGLY started working before authorized CPT dates. I wanted to ask you how did you deal with your situation and what was the outcome?? Did you go back to Vietnam or did you file for a reinstatement or were u also given a choice to go to some other country and return ??

Also let me know if they allowed you to work in your CPT and OPT as

Please let me know .. it is HIGHLY URGENT as I am meeting my international counsellor in next 18 hours

PS: If anyone else can help me out on this matter .. it wud be highly appreciated