Change of Status Instructions

Changing from Any Non-Immigrant Status to F-1

There are two ways to apply for a change of status:

Option 1: From within the U.S. / without travel by submitting the petition to a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Service Center; or
Option 2: You may travel outside of the U.S., apply for a visa at a U.S. Embassy with all required materials, and request admission to the U.S. in the new status. This option is often referred to as Consular Processing.

This is an important decision that should only be made after careful consultation with an immigration attorney. The International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) Can provide our list of immigration resources upon request.

Note: USCIS will carefully monitor maintenance of status for all non-immigrants in all non-immigrant categories.  The applicant must be in valid nonimmigrant status when they file the change of status application.

OPTION 1: Change of Status within the U.S.

This is for individuals already in the United States who are maintaining their visa status in a nonimmigrant category other than F-1. They can apply to USCIS for a change to F-1 status either by mail or online.

Keep in mind:

It can take 6+ months for USCIS to adjudicate a Change of Status Petition, so it is CRUCIAL that you make this decision carefully after discussing it with an experienced immigration attorney.
Issuance of a Form I-20 alone does NOT change your status. The Change of Status I-20 should not be used if you decide to apply for a change of status through travel (see Option 2).

Step 1.Schedule an appointment with an ISSO advisor

Step 2. Complete the Form I-539 Application to Change Nonimmigrant Status:

Premium Processing (Optional)

The applicant may request Premium Processing Service. Premium Processing Service guarantees that USCIS will take one of several possible actions (issue an approval notice, a denial notice, a notice of intent to deny, or a request for evidence) on the immigration benefit request within a certain timeframe. Please refer to Request for Premium Processing Service | USCIS for additional information.

I-20 Program Start Date

If the I-539 application is not adjudicated by the original start date on the I-20, the program start date will have to be amended to a later date. You may also need to defer your admission to another semester if your current status prohibits you from enrolling in a full-time degree program. Please consult with International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) for further procedure.

Please Note: Timing of your change of status approval may impact the eligibility to receive graduate assistantship (TA/RA).

Travel and Re-enter the U.S. after Change of Status Approval

If you travel outside the U.S. for the first time after the change of status approval, you must apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy abroad in order to re-enter the U.S.

For further information about visa applications, please refer to the Department of State website or the ISSO travel page.

Government Resources

OPTION 2: Travel Abroad and Consular Processing

A nonimmigrant who obtains an F-1 nonimmigrant visa through the U.S. embassy abroad.

Submit visa document request e-form to ISSO and obtain an Initial I-20
Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee.
Apply for an F-1 student visa at the U.S. embassy abroad.
You will only be able to enter the U.S. within 30 days from the program start date issued on the Form I-20 and you will be required to enroll full-time as of the program start date.

NOTE: Form I-539 will not be needed, but you will still need to submit the same documentation to the ISSO for I-20 issuance. ISSO will process an “Initial” I-20 Form. Applying for a change of status through travel should be discussed with an immigration attorney carefully. The change of status I-20 through travel should not be used if you are applying in the U.S. (As described in Option 1)