Changing to F-1 Status
A change of status to F-1 may be considered for the maintenance of legal status when a nonimmigrant changes or ends their principal activity, reason, or purpose for being in the U.S. and wants to remain in the U.S. to pursue a specific educational objective full-time.
If your principal activity, reason or purpose for being in the U.S. has changed, and wish to remain in the U.S. for a specific educational or professional objective you want to pursue full-time, you may consider changing your immigration to F-1 student status by travel or filing a Form I-539, "Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, with U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Though the ISSS office issues the Change of Status I-20, the application is adjudicated by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Requesting a change of status to F-1 is a multi-step process with specific requirements and not every nonimmigrant will be eligible for change of status within the U.S. or find this option ideal for their situation.
Changing to F-1 Status
1. You must be in lawful status at the time of requesting the Change of Status I-20 and filing your application with USCIS.
2. Non-immigrants in A, G, or NATO status must first complete Form I-566, and have it properly endorsed by the foreign mission to the U.S. and the Department of State.
3. Nonimmigrant visa holders in the following categories are not permitted to file an application for a change of status:
J-1 students who are subject to and have not fulfilled the two-year home residency requirement, unless a waiver has been granted
Person of non-immigrant C, D, K, or M status
Visitors admitted under the Visa Waiver Program
If any documents regarding Lawful Permanent Residence (LPR) were filed on your behalf, we strongly recommend consulting with an immigration attorney.
If you are not eligible to file an application for a change of status with USCIS, it may be possible to travel outside of the U.S. to apply for an F-1 visa and enter the U.S. in a new status.
Option 1: Travel and Reentry
You may change your status by departing the U.S. and re-entering in F-1 student status with a valid F-1 visa and Initial Form I-20.
Procedure:
1. Apply for and be admitted to a full-time program of study at Stevens.
2. Request and obtain an Initial I-20 from the ISSS office by submitting the documentation listed below, under Required Documents for I- 20 Issuance.
Newly admitted students must upload all required documents via their Application Status Page online. Details can be referenced on our website: Applying for the Form I-20.
Current students at Stevens must forward their documents towards the Form I-20 to [email protected].
3. Depart the U.S. and apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate in your home country.
4. Once you obtain your new F-1 visa, you may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the program start date on your I-20. You will be in F-1 status upon your successful entry into the U.S. and completion of SEVIS Activation with the ISSS office. Failure to complete SEVIS Activation in a timely manner by the program start date on your I-20 may result in the loss of your lawful F-1 status.
Option 2: Change of Status in the U.S.
If eligible, you may file a Form I-539, "Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, with U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS). If your application is approved, this option allows you to officially change nonimmigrant status while remaining in the U.S. However, you will not have a visa corresponding with your new status. ISSS strongly encourages the assistance of an immigration attorney to file the Form I-539, "Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status with USCIS.
Procedure:
1. Apply for and be admitted to a full-time program of study at Stevens.
2. Request and obtain a Change of Status I-20 from the ISSS office by submitting the documentation listed below, under Required Documents for I-20 Issuance.
Newly admitted students must upload all required documents via their Application Status Page online. Details can be referenced on our website: Applying for the Form I-20.
Current students at Stevens must forward their documents towards the Form I-20 to [email protected].
3. Compile the application documents specific to your change of status, referring to the details below, under Filing with USCIS & Supporting Documents.
4. File your application with USCIS. The Form can now be filed online. For up-to-date instructions and requirements, please refer to USCIS’ website: I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
5. After filing your Change of Status application with USCIS, please send an email with your receipt number to [email protected].
Filing with USCIS & Supporting Documents
For up-to-date instructions and requirements, please refer to USCIS’ website: I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.
A completed Form I-539 and filing fee.
Acceptance letter from Admissions (for new and continuing students) and/or official transcript (for continuing students).
Personal statement explaining your request to change status. Please see “Points to Consider When Writing Your Personal Statement for Change of Status” below for guidance.
Change of status I-20 (photocopy). Please make sure to sign and date the original document before copying it.
Confirmation of SEVIS I-901 Fee payment (only for change of nonimmigrant status to F-1; for a Change of Status to F-2, send a copy of the F1’s SEVIS fee receipt). The SEVIS I-901 fee can be paid on-line. For detailed information, please refer to USCIS’ website: I-901 Fee.
Applicants in A-1 or A-2 and G-1 through G-4 nonimmigrant status are not required to pay the application filing fee.
Photocopies of your passport identification page and current visa. You must be in possession of a valid passport at the time of filing. Photocopy of your paper I-94 card or print-out of electronic I-94 record obtained from Custom and Border Protection’s website, under Get Most Recent I-94.
Financial Documents showing that you have sufficient financial resources to meet tuition and living expenses for your full program of study as listed on your Form I-20. If your support comes from a sponsor, you should also submit a copy of the sponsor’s affidavit of support.
Photocopy of your two-year residency requirement Waiver (for “J” visa holders only).
If you are changing status from A or G to F-1 you must first file Form I-566. Only after the Form I-566 has been endorsed and signed by the proper entity will you be eligible to file a change of status application with USCIS.
Evidence of maintaining lawful status while in the United States prior to submitting your application for a change of status. For example: employment statuses (H, E, L, etc.) should provide a letter certifying their employment and pay stubs covering the past three months; dependents (H-4, L-2 etc.) should provide evidence that the principal is maintaining status (copies of the principal visa holder’s passport, visa, I-94, and Approval Notice).
If you are requesting a change of status to dependent status (F-2) you must submit documentary evidence (a marriage or birth certificate) establishing your relationship with the principal F-1 visa holder. If any foreign language documents are submitted, the applicant must include an English translation created by someone other than the applicant. You should also provide copies of your spouse’s/parent’s I-20, passport, visa, and I-94.
Timeline:
Processing times with USCIS vary on a case-by-case basis. Approximate processing times can be referenced on USCIS’ webpage: Case Processing Time.
Premium Processing towards a pending I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status with USCIS can also be considered to expedite processing.
After your application is receipted, you may track the status of your case with the receipt number on your Form I-797 Notice of Receipt online using USCIS’ Case Status Online tool.
If the application for Change of Status is approved, USCIS will notify you with a Form I-797A Notice of Action. The form includes a tear-off Form I-94 indicating your approved nonimmigrant status in the U.S. This replaces your previous I-94.
Your SEVIS record will be registered after timely completion of SEVIS Activation manner with ISSS.
Writing Your Personal Statement: Points to Consider:
ISSS can provide general assistance and information about the Change of Status process, but it is important to note that the Change of Status application belongs to the applicant—in this case, and not ISSS. It is essential that the applicant clearly understands the process, information, and documentation required with this application. A Change of Status application generally includes a statement explaining the reasons a Change of Status is requested. As a guide, below are a list of points to consider when writing your personal statement
You may choose to use it or write your own cover letter to accompany the I-539 application. ISSS is not responsible for the outcome of a Change of Status application. If you have specific concerns about your immigration status or the likelihood of the application’s approval, please seek the assistance of an immigration attorney prior to filing with USCIS.
Explain why you came to the U.S.
Explain what you have been doing since you arrived. Be specific and give dates if you have already started attending school.
Explain the reason you will be returning to your home country after completion of your studies or your spouse/parent’s studies if you are changing status to F-2. If you have a permanent residence to which you plan to return, include this information, and any documentation you may have as proof.
Explain why you want to change your status to F-1 or F-2 (dependents).
If you were employed back home, explain how your studies will affect returning to that employment. If applicable, describe how your career will benefit from your U.S. education. If you have a job back home, attach a letter from your employer that establishes that an extended stay in the U.S. will not affect your employment. (Changes of status to F-2 may skip this question.)
If you were not employed back home, describe how your studies in the U.S. will help prepare you for a career back home. (Changes of status to F-2 may skip this question.)
If you are in a B status (B-1 or B-2), explain when and why you decided to study after your arrival in the U.S. Write a detailed, step-by-step description of the circumstances that led to your decision to attend school here. Attach any evidence to prove what happened. (Changes of status to F-2 may skip this question.)
Verified Study plan (only for students currently attending Stevens)
Copies of your passport identification and visa pages
Printout of your electronic I-94 or copy of your most recent I-94 card or a copy of your I-797A (if applicable)
Completed Graduate Financial Verification Form or Undergraduate Financial Verification Form
Proof of financial support* covering estimated expenses for one academic year (or half year of study if only one-half year remains in your academic program) and living expenses as outlined on the Financial Verification Form
*Financial documentation requirements can be referenced on our website: Financial Documentation Requirements
When deciding the option for you, consider several factors such as application processing times, the expiration date or conditions of your current status, your travel plans, and the start date of your program of study.
The issuance of a Change of Status Form I-20 does not guarantee approval of the change of status application.
You are not permitted to travel internationally before your application is adjudicated. If you do, your application for a Change of Status will be considered abandoned. Please contact ISSS before making any travel plans.
If your application for a Change of Status is pending with USCIS for and your current nonimmigrant status allows enrollment, you should enroll in a full-time course load.
Do not begin employment, if permitted under the new status, until the Change of Status is approved.
If the I-20 program start date (in the third box on the I-20 labeled “Program of Study”) arrives before your change of status is approved, your Designated School Official (DSO) must update the start date to a later date or a future semester (depending on whether you are permitted by your current nonimmigrant status to study to avoid auto-cancellation of your SEVIS record.
USCIS uses the U.S. address listed on the Form I-539 as the applicant’s mailing address, so the address you enter will be the address where your Receipt and other communications from USCIS will be mailed. If you change your address, the postal service will not necessarily forward mail sent to you by USCIS. Any changes to your address should be promptly reported to ISSS and USCIS within 10 days of that change.
USCIS officers will determine your eligibility for a Change of Status and will either approve it, deny it or issue a Request for Evidence (RFE). An RFE will outline additional information needed by USCIS to fully evaluate your application. If the application is denied, the applicant is notified of the decision and the reason.
It is the student's responsibility to notify the ISSS office about the status of their Change of Status application before the start of their program at Stevens and immediately upon notification from USCIS.