Changing Status to F-1

If you would like to change your status to F-1, there are two ways to do it.One would be to obtain anI-20 from the school you will be attending, take it with you when you travel outside the United States, and use it to re-enter the U.S.You will probably needto obtain an F-1 entry visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate if you do not already have a valid one in your passport.

It is also possible to change your status without leaving the U.S.To do this you will need to submit an application and supporting documents to the US CIS, requesting that they change your status. It is difficult to predict how long this process will take: in the past it has taken anywhere from one month to more than a semester.The charge for this process is $195.

Note: Please note that if you entered the U.S. in B2 tourist status, there is very little chance that your request to change to F-1 will be denied.The exception to this would be if your visa is marked as “prospective student”. You are NOT allowed to attend classes while in B2 status, or while you are in F-2 status, except if those classes are “recreational or non-vocational”.

To change to F-1 status, you will need:

• a completed INS form I-539, signed by you the student: you can get this at the IES office, and we will be glad to help you fill it out.
• your current, original I-94 (we will make photocopies)
• if you are in a dependent status (F-2, H-4, etc.) bring the passport and I-94 of your spouse or parent
• an original I-20 from this school, signed by you (the student) 
• a check or money order for $195 made out to US CIS
• a copy of your evidence of financial support
• an unofficial transcript, if applicable

We will keep a copy of all materials in our files for reference.  Once the materials are completed, they should be mailed to:

                US CIS
                Vermont Service Center
                75 Lower Welden Street
                St. Albans, VT 05479

Our office will mail these forms via regular mail. If you would prefer that they be sent via registered or express mail, we will give you the papers and you can mail them yourself.In two or three weeks you should receive a printed receipt in the mail at the address you specified on your application.This receipt will include a reference number specifically for your application, which must be used when contacting the US CIS about your case.Eventually your approval notice and stamped student copy of the I-20 will be returned to you at the same address, although they will probably arrive in separate envelopes.

Once your change of status has been approved, you will be in legal status within the U.S. But, if you leave the country and do not have a valid F-1 visa in your passport, you will need to obtain one at a U.S. Embassy or consulate before returning to the U.S.Reentering the country using your earlier visa will place you back into your original status, and necessitate you repeating this procedure of changing your status.

If you have any questions about any aspect of changing your status, please contact the International Education Services office.