I am a student in F-1 status. Two months ago, I traveled back to my home country to attend a wedding, but I forgot to have my I-20 signed by my DSO before I left. …

… On the way back, I was given a Form I-515A with instructions to mail in the required travel documents. It’s been two months and I was so busy that I forgot to do it. What should I do?

Answer

Generally, students who do not have all the required travel documents are admitted for a period of 30 days during which they must comply with a Form I-515A or have their SEVIS record terminated. An audit of SEVIS records by Students and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has found that many students who failed to comply with this requirement within the allotted time period did not have their records terminated. To make sure students meet the I-515A requirements, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a notice indicating that starting April 1, 2016, SEVP will be issuing 14-day termination notices to those students who have not complied with the I-515A requirements within the 30-day period.

If you have missed the 30-day deadline, you should still try to mail all of the required documents even before you receive the 14-day termination notice. Check with your Designated School Official (DSO) to make sure that your SEVIS record is still active. Seek assistance from your DSO and/or immigration attorney if your SEVIS record is terminated. (18.Mar.2016)

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