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Change to F-1 Student Status

Note: Please allow 5-7 business day for ISS processing. Processing times at USCIS can vary.

With certain exceptions, a nonimmigrant already in the U.S. who is maintaining their current status in a nonimmigrant category other than F-1 may be eligible to apply to USCIS for a change to F-1 status.

Certain nonimmigrants are not permitted to apply for a change to F-1 status while in the U.S.  Such nonimmigrants may still be eligible for F-1 status, but the only way they can get F-1 status is through obtaining an F-1 visa and re-entering the U.S.

A change of status application requires complex analysis, and may significantly impact the student's immigration status and eligibility for future immigration benefits.

A change of status application is filed by a student—not Metro State. Therefore, students needing advice and help planning and adopting strategy related to their change of status and application to USCIS are recommended to meet with a qualified immigration attorney.

Immigration attorney resources:

Change of status eligibility requirements

In order to apply for a change of status, students must:

  • Be currently in a valid visa status
    • F-2 visa holders
      • I-20 program start date requested in the change of status application should be no later than the end of the applicant’s 60 day grace period
    • B-1/B-2 visa holders
      • Visa status must be valid until 30 days before the I-20 program start date requested in the change of status application
    • H-1B/H-4 visa holders
      • Visa status must be valid until 30 days before the I-20 program start date requested in the change of status application
    • J-1/J-2 visa holders
      • I-20 program start date requested in the change of status application should be no later than the end of the applicant’s 30 day grace period
  • Have been in their current visa status for at least 3 months prior to submitting a change of visa status application.
  • Be admitted to Metro State

Applicants CANNOT apply for a change of visa status if the applicant is an M-1 student, C, D, K, or S non-immigrant, J-1 non-immigrant subject to the 212(e) 2-year foreign residence requirement, or WT/WB visitor. (Such applicants must leave the U.S. and apply for an F-1 visa from outside the country.)

  1. The student must write a letter of explanation
    1. Why are you requesting the change of status?
    2. What is the effect on you if you don’t receive the change of status?
    3. Include a statement that you are currently pursuing or are intending to pursue a full course of study?
  2. Form I-539 (Application to Extend Status/Change Nonimmigrant Status)
  3. Financial Support Documents
    1. Documents must adhere to the following:
      1. Be originals, photocopies, scanned copies or faxed documents printed on bank letterhead and certified with the bank’s stamp or seal; we reserve the right to verify authenticity
      2. Be dated within six months of today’s date
      3. If financial support will be provided by anyone other than the student, the sponsor must submit a letter in English indicating his/her willingness to support the student
    2. All documents must be written In English; if English is not the language in which the bank documents are issued, the bank documents must be accompanied by a certified, literal English translation.
  4. I-94 information
  5. Official transcripts for all U.S. schools attended since you came to the U.S.
  6. COLOR Copy of valid passport (biographical and extension pages)
  7. New I-20 issued for the purpose of change of status by Metro State with DSO signature
  8. Copies of all previous I-20’s from all schools attended
  9. Documentation of current immigration status (visa stamp, I-20, DS-2019, I-797, etc.)
    1. If you currently hold an F-2, H-4, J-2 visa please also include a COLOR copy of your principle visa holder’s current immigration status documents (visa stamp, I-20, DS-2019, I-797, etc.)
  10. If applicable, Waiver of foreign residence requirement, if the change of status is from J-1/J-2 visa status
  11. Online filing fee: $420.00 or Paper filing fee: $470.00
  12. SEVIS I-901 fee: $350.00
    1. Print out the receipt to submit

Applications to apply for a change of status are submitted ONLINE if the student is submitting the application to USCIS only for themselves, without any co-applicants.

Applications to apply for a change of status for students AND their dependents are submitted using the paper form I-539 to:

U.S. Postal Service (USPS):

USCIS
Attn: I-539
P.O. Box 4010
Carol Stream, IL 60197-4010

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:

USCIS
Attn: I-539 (Box 4010)
2500 Westfield Drive
Elgin, IL 60124-7836

Please note: USCIS must receive the student’s application within 30 days from the DSO signature date on page 1. Failure to do so will result in an automatic denial of the student’s application.

A request for premium processing using the Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing with the USCIS guarantees adjudication of a USCIS application within a set time frame.

Current USCIS processing times

Premium processing guarantees USCIS will process change of status applications within 30 calendar days of receiving the premium processing request. The fee for premium processing is $1,965.

If you submit your Form I-907 AND your Form I-539 at the same time, you may file online together.

If you submit your Form I-907 AFTER you have submitted your Form I-539, you must mail to:

U.S. Postal Service (USPS):
USCIS
Attn: I-907
P.O. Box 4200
Carol Stream, IL 60197-4010

FedEx, UPS, and DHL deliveries:
USCIS
Attn: I-907 (Box 4200)
2500 Westfield Drive
Elgin, IL 60124-7836

More information on How Do I Request Premium Processing

  • Applicants are not eligible for any employment authorization prior to the approval of the change of visa status.
  • Applicants MUST remain in the U.S. while their change of visa status application is being adjudicated by USCIS. If the applicant leaves the U.S. prior to adjudication, the application will be considered abandoned and the application will be denied.
  • If the applicant’s change of visa status is denied the applicant may be required to leave the U.S. on short notice.
  • Filing your request to USCIS on the wrong form may result in the rejection or denial of your case. USCIS will not refund your filing fees if your case is denied.
  • Applicants who have been approved for a change of visa status to F-1 will be charged for the mandatory international health insurance upon receiving an approval notice via I-797A, Notice of Action, if eligible.