Article Summary

An Indian student on F-1 OPT reported automatic SEVIS termination after their H-1B change of status approval was revoked by their employer before the October 1 start date. This revocation, filed in early September, led to SEVIS termination on October 1, preceding the official USCIS portal update on October 4. The student sought advice on Reddit regarding SEVIS reinstatement, prompting discussions among international students about navigating similar visa complications.

TNP AI: Key Insights

This incident highlights a critical and often overlooked vulnerability for F-1 OPT students whose H-1B petitions are withdrawn or revoked prior to the October 1 start date. It underscores the immediate and severe consequences for an individual's immigration status, potentially leaving them out of status and facing an urgent need to depart the U.S. or find an alternative solution.

This scenario reveals a significant administrative gap where SEVIS termination can occur automatically based on H-1B approval status, even if the employer's official withdrawal notice has not been fully processed by USCIS or communicated to the Designated School Official (DSO). This delay complicates efforts to reinstate F-1 status, emphasizing the urgent need for swift communication between employers, employees, and DSOs, and potentially prompting calls for USCIS to provide more explicit guidance or a more coordinated process for such revocations.