In order to change your status while in the United States to an F-1 student from another non-immigration status, you will need to be admitted to a full-time academic program and obtain Form I-20 from the admitting institution. Also, you should continue to maintain valid non-immigrant status and must not leave the U.S. while the change of status application is pending at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

If you are traveling outside the U.S., you can accomplish the change of status upon re-entry if you obtain an F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate. Upon obtaining the F-1 visa, you can enter the U.S. as an F-1 student.

Applying for a change of status to F-1 does not automatically make you eligible to enroll in classes or for on-campus employment.

It is your responsibility to make sure that there will be no gap in your authorized period of stay between your current status end date and the start of F-1 status.

If you are an F-2 status holder, you are not eligible to begin study until after the F-1 status has been granted.

As an H-1B/H-4, you are able to attend school part-time or full-time, providing it does not interfere with your primary purpose in the U.S.; therefore, you will need a valid reason for requesting the change to F-1, such as (examples only):

• An offer of a graduate student assistantship by the school you wish to attend
• A written request from your sponsor requesting you to change status to F-1
• Your H-1B/H-4 status is expiring and/or you want to complete the current program
• You are turning 21 and can no longer remain as an H-4 dependent of your H-1B parent.

Due to the complexity of J status regulations, ISSA recommends that you speak with an ISSA adviser before you begin the change of status application process. If you are subject to the “two year home country physical presence requirement,” you cannot change to F-1 status in the U.S. unless you have received a recommendation for a waiver of the requirement from the Department of State or have obtained a waiver approval from USCIS.

B-1/B-2 status holders may not attend classes under any circumstances until after F-1 status has been grated.

It may take up to six months to get a response from USCIS. You may check the USCIS website for a case status update at https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/index.jsp.  If you have not received an answer prior to the program start date listed on your I-20, please see an advisor in ISSA as we would need to perform necessary notification to the Department of Homeland Security. 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Your request to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for change of status should consist of the following:

• Letter from you requesting change of status to F-1. This letter should provide a brief overview of your stay in the U.S. and the reasons for the status change to F-1.
• Completed and signed Form I-539
• Check or money order for $200 (or $300 if postmarked on or after 07/30/2007) payable to Department of Homeland Security
• Original I-20, signed and dated at item #11
• Proof of SEVIS fee payment (https://www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml)
• Photocopy of Form I-94 (both the front and back sides)
• Photocopy of Form I-797 if applicable
• Photocopy of the passport data page(s) showing both the picture and expiration date
• Financial support documents that appear on Form I-20 (i.e., bank statement, assistantship offer letter, etc.)  
• If your dependent family members are currently in the United States and plan to change their status, their information should be included in the Form I-539.  And send photocopies of their passport data page(s), Form I-797 if applicable, Form I-94, marriage or birth certificate, etc.
• If you are currently in H-1B, O-1, TN, E-3, L-1, enclose a copy of 2-3 recent pay stubs.
• If you are currently in dependent status (e.g. F-2, H-4, L-2, TD, O-3, etc.), include your main status holder’s passport, Form I-94 card, I-20/DS-2019, Form I-797 if applicable, marriage or birth certificate, etc.

Make an appointment with an advisor in ISSA and bring all items listed above.  Then, please send your change of status application by certified mail with return receipt to:

* Please note the new address due to new instructions from USCIS effective April 2, 2007
USCIS California Service Center
P.O. Box 10539
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-1053
(or to the Service Center which has jurisdiction over your residence listed on I-539)

NOTE: If you have been offered an assistantship, please include a cover letter (in bright color) and highlight in your letter: “Please expedite: assistantship pending.” Also, write on bottom left corner of the envelope “Expedite: Assistantship pending.”

For more information, please see an advisor in International Services and Student Affairs (ISSA).