Hi friends , does anybody from sajha has done reinstatement to f1 from TPS .previously i was in f1 doing my masters first sem but after tps was granted i give up my f1 and started working , as we everybody know tps is uncertain for next extension now i want to go back to f1 and complete my masters , if anybody has done please suggest school and process , i have no option left beside going back to f1, as i am from non technical background. please suggest it will be great help..

from what I know, only way to reinstate is by going back to Nepal (or a 3rd country...not recommended though) and applying for a new F-1 visa, just like you did the first time. Someone correct me if I'm wrong

bakwaas , you understood it wrong. You should be able to reinstate from TPS back to F1 , contact your DSO.

@Mr P, I have the same situation as yours, did you get back to f1?

You can apply for reinstatement. You just need to proove that there were circumstances which led you to drop school but now you want to join achool and complete your degree

@Prashub87 and Mr P, what's your updates on your F1 reinstatement. Now similar situation is happening.

Hello all, whoever did COS in the past or doing it now, please share your experiences here.

Now, we should talk about two different processes. One is REINSTATEMENT and another is CHANGE OF STATUS. If you were on F1 and got TPS and did not maintain F1 then you have to apply for the REINSTATEMENT. If you had F1 and got TPS then you traveled to Nepal with AP and came back then it will be CHANGE OF STATUS as you do not have F1 status in I94 anymore.Check your current I94 so you will know your D/S. If your D/S is F1 go for the reinstatement, if something else then go for COS. One more think, you can not back to any previous non immigrant status automatically if you have not maintained that status so far. I hope this information helps. Your DSO can help in this matter!

@GMajor, for this case "If you had F1 and got TPS then you traveled to Nepal with AP and came back then it will be CHANGE OF STATUS as you do not have F1 status in I94 anymore".
What will happen if someone applies for OPT without doing COS? I've been hearing mixed response from lawyers. Some are saying it would be totally fine, while some think it might be risky.

Yes, If you traveled on AP then you are considered as Parolee or Paroled, not admitted as F1. If your SEVIS is active then you can apply for OPT but if it was already terminated then you have to apply for the reinstatement. Please check with your DSO about applying the OPT. I do not have exact answer about your individual case.