Regaining Legal Status

Scholars who violate immigration rules are considered “out of status” and must take steps to fix it. If you think you may be out of status, contact your ISSO advisor right away for an evaluation and guidance on next steps.

What to do next

Contact an experienced immigration attorney and your ISSO advisor immediately.
ISSO and legal counsel can review your situation and explain any options to regain legal status.
Use your BU login to access a list of immigration attorneys and legal aid organizations

As Boston University’s Responsible Officer (RO) and Alternate ROs (AROs), ISSO advisors must determine whether you are maintaining lawful J-1 status. If ISSO finds you are not maintaining status, your SEVIS J-1 record will be terminated and you must take steps to regain lawful status.

Consequences of being out of status

• You lose J-1 benefits (e.g., on- or off-campus employment, some service-based scholarships, DS-2019 travel signatures, and extensions).
• You may be ineligible for certain USCIS benefits (e.g., employment authorization or a change of status).

Next steps

• Make an appointment with your ISSO advisor to review your situation. Possible options include correcting your record or applying for reinstatement.

You cannot apply for J-1 reinstatement if you have:

• Willfully failed to maintain required J-1 health insurance;
• Engaged in unauthorized employment not approvable for J exchange visitors;
• Been suspended or terminated from your most recent exchange program;
• Failed to maintain valid program status for more than 270 days; or
• Received a favorable DOS recommendation for a 2‑year home‑residence requirement waiver.

If reinstatement is not possible, you will not be permitted to continue your J-1 program at BU.