Change Your Visa Status

Students in certain visa statuses may be eligible to file for a change of visa status to F-1 within the U.S. by filing a Form I-539 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Be sure to review USCIS Change of Status guidance for more information.

While USCIS guidance linked above indicates the change of status application must be submitted by the expiration of the individual’s (or principal’s) I-94 Arrival/Departure Record or the expiration of the individual’s (or principal’s) current status within the U.S. (whichever is earlier), in practice USCIS will adjudicate (process) applications received within 60 days (the 60-day “grace” period) of the expiration of the I-94 or the individual’s status (whichever is earlier).

• PLEASE NOTE that USCIS has the discretion to accept or reject an application after the individual’s current status expires.

Individuals interested in changing their status from the B-2 visitor visa will need to review our guidance below very carefully because USCIS has different policies related to these applications.

Some of the benefits related to applying for a change of visa status within the U.S. include:

• You don’t incur the cost of traveling outside the U.S. or being separated from friends
• This process is generally less expensive ($290 application fee, payment of the $200 SEVIS fee, cost of mailing the application to USCIS)

Some of the disadvantages related to applying for the change of visa status within the U.S. include:

• The processing timeframe for the change of status application with USCIS may be up to 9 months or longer.
• There are very limited options to request USCIS expedite your application
• If your application is denied and your previous visa status has expired, then you will not have a valid status within the U.S. and will need to leave immediately.
• While the change of status is valid once approved within the U.S., the next time you travel outside the U.S., you will be required to apply for a visa with the U.S. embassy or consulate before you may re-enter the U.S.

CHANGE OF VISA STATUS

• FROM F-2 TO F-1
• FROM H-4 TO F-1
• FROM H1-B TO F-1
• FROM B-2 TO F-1
• FROM OTHER VISA TO F-1

Individuals who wish to change their status (COS) to F-2 must file the change of status while their current visa status is still valid. This will be determined by the expiration of the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record or other relevant document(s). Individuals in the U.S. under a B-1/B-2 visa are strongly encouraged to depart the U.S. and re-enter with an F-2 visa and I-20.

The F-1 principal’s visa status must be valid during the duration of the review application review process with USCIS. If the F-1 principal’s status expires while the change of status application is pending, USCIS will deny it.
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• While USCIS general processing times are 2-3 months, most change-of-status applications will take much longer. Many change-of-status applications have taken up to nine (9) months for USCIS to process, and some schools have reported a processing time of over twelve (12) months. Students should plan for a minimum USCIS processing time of between four (4) and nine (9) months.
• Applicants may contact USCIS after 90 days from their application receipt notice date to inquire about their application. There are very limited options to request an expedited application. To learn more about USCIS’s expedited policy, go to USCIS Expedite. The ISSS cannot intervene with USCIS to request an expedited application.
• Once the application is filed, you cannot travel outside the U.S., or your change of visa status will be considered abandoned.
• Once your change of visa status is approved, the next time you travel outside the U.S., you will need to apply for an F-2 visa before you are permitted to re-enter the U.S.

Eligibility to Study: The Student Exchange Visitor Program allows an F-2 to study at a college or university on a part-time basis, but whether a change of status to an F-2 applicant may study will depend upon the relevant regulations for the applicant’s current visa status. If the applicant’s current visa status allows them to study, then the individual may study while they await approval for their change of status. If the applicant’s current visa status does not allow them to study, then the individual cannot study until their change of status is approved by USCIS.

To apply for a status change, you must follow the steps below. All documents must be
emailed to [email protected] with the subject line “Change of status to F-2.” DO NOT copy
any alternate email or drop your documents off in person at the Office of International Programs. It is your responsibility to provide all documents listed below. Incomplete applications will not be processed:

• Copy of all applicable documents listed below for individual applying for change of status:
  1. Visa
  2. Passport data and picture page only
  3. I-94 Arrival/Departure record
  4. All I-20s if previously in the U.S. as an F-1 student (if applicable)
  5. Employment Authorization Document (if applicable)
  6. USCIS Approval Notice (if applicable)

• Copy of all of the applicable documents listed below for F-1 principal:
• Most recently issued I-20. The most recent I-20 issued is the I-20 you possess, which has the most recent DATE ISSUED on page 1 under the SCHOOL ATTESTATION section.
• If any additional dependents will be included in the application for the change of status to F-2, please provide the following documents:
  1. Visa
  2. Passport data and picture page only
  3. I-94 Arrival/Departure record
  4. All I-20s if previously in the U.S. as an F-1 or F-2
  5. Employment Authorization Document (if applicable)
  6. USCIS Approval Notice (if applicable)

• Provide proof of funding for an additional $3,000 per dependent. For example, for a grad student adding one dependent, proof of funding is $26,000 + $3,000 = $29,000. Applications not including all the documentation listed below will not be processed.
  1. The proof of funding may be a bank statement (checking or savings account) or certificate of deposit, and statements for three (3) consecutive months are required.
  2. The financial statements must be within 6 months of the date the change of status application is submitted to the Office of International Programs. A letter from a bank or employment letter is not sufficient.
  3. Applicants must include the Office of International Programs affidavit (sponsors outside the U.S.) or the I-134 (sponsors in the U.S.) at Funding Requirement for I-20 or DS2019.
• Copy of marriage license or official documentation verifying relationship. Must be translated into English through with translator’s certification.
• A letter stating reason for the change of status

Once all documentation has been received, the Office of International Programs will review it and issue the F-2 I-20 within 10 business days. A business day is Monday through Friday. All applications must be submitted to USCIS for adjudication and approval. Instructions for submitting your application to USCIS will be provided with your F-2 I-20.

• To change your status by traveling outside the U.S., you must contact the Office of International Programs and provide all required documents for the I-20.
  • Once your request has been processed, you will need to depart the U.S., preferably to your home country (it is strongly recommended that you travel to your home country), apply for the visa status you would like to re-enter the U.S., and once your visa is issued, return to the U.S.
  • Students changing their status to F-1 may enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days before their I-20 program start date.
  • Please note that students changing to the F-1 visa status will be required to attend International Student Orientation and a Check-in and Welcome Session.
• The advantages to traveling to change your visa status include:
  • Avoiding the USCIS change of status processing time of up to 9 months or longer
  • Upon re-entry, you will be entitled to the benefits related to your visa status immediately
  • Traveling can lead to a quicker timeframe to obtain the desired visa status
• Some disadvantages to consider related to traveling to change your visa status include:
  • The cost related to traveling outside the U.S.
  • We recommend students travel to their home country to apply for the new visa (we do not recommend traveling to Canada or Mexico)
  • Possible delays in issuing the visa and the risk of denial
  • The “eligibility clock” requiring enrollment for one academic year (fall and spring) before an F-1 student is eligible for practical training (OPT and CPT) is reset if a student travels outside the U.S. and re-enters to change their visa status

• The Office of International Programs can only provide guidance for change of status applications for students changing to the F-1 visa to study at East Texas A&M or individuals changing to the F-2 visa status whose F-1 principal is currently studying at East Texas A&M or is on OPT after completing their studies at East Texas A&M.
• Students desiring to change their visa status to other visa categories or who desire to file for permanent residency will need to consult USCIS’s Change of Status Guidance or an immigration attorney.