This is a case for my friend. He had to reinstate his F1 status (most likely due to late registration of classes) last fall and got an RFE which he replied to. Then apparently he was sent another RFE in February 2012 and a reinstatement denied on June 2012. Both the mails were not delivered to him but he found them yesterday August 01, 2012 at the manager's office in his apartment complex. The deadline for motion to reopen the reinstatement case was July 11, 2012.   What can he do in this case? Will going back to home country with a new I-20 work? Will he have to get his visa stamped again? He has F1 until 2012 but I don't think it's valid anymore.