Change to F-1 Status

If you are considering a change to F-1 status, we encourage you to speak with an F-1 International Student Advisor before making a decision. We can explain the general advantages and disadvantages of changing status through travel and re-entry or by filing I-539 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The decision about which option to pursue is entirely yours. You are responsible for evaluating your circumstances and any risks associated with your chosen option.

We cannot provide legal advice. If your case is complex, you should consult an experienced immigration attorney. An attorney can advise you on issues such as eligibility for a change of status, alternative immigration strategies, travel and re-entry options, responding to Requests for Evidence (RFEs), and immigration matters affecting your dependents.

Important: U.S. immigration regulations and USCIS policies are subject to change. USCIS may change its interpretation of immigration laws and eligibility requirements at any time. For this reason, approval of a change of status application can never be guaranteed, and it is important to stay informed throughout the process.

Before deciding whether to change to F-1 status, consider the following questions:

• Does your current immigration status already allow you to study in the U.S.?
• Are you prepared to pay the additional nonresident tuition and health insurance costs required for F-1 students? Please note that U.S. federal financial aid is not available to F-1 students.
• Do you plan to apply for employment benefits such as CPT or OPT in the future?
• Are you able to maintain full-time enrollment every Fall and Spring semester?
• Are you prepared to comply with F-1 regulations, including reporting address changes, maintaining SFSU sponsored international health insurance, and obtaining authorization before engaging in employment?
• Would it be more practical to change status through travel and re-entry rather than filing Form I-539 with USCIS (Pocessing times, and risks associated with a change of status application)? 

Understand the F-1 regulations first

• If you plan to change to F-1 status, you should first understand the requirements for maintaining F-1 status. Review the information on the Maintaining Status page before deciding whether F-1 status is right for you.
• Once you become an F-1 student, you will be expected to follow all F-1 regulations and maintain your status throughout your studies at SFSU.
• You must also pay non-resident tuition per unit, and purchase SFSU sponsored international student health insurance.

Changing status is a lengthy process

• USCIS recommends that you apply as soon as you determine that you need to change to a different nonimmigrant status.
• You must file Form I-539 before your current nonimmigrant status expires.
• If USCIS denies your application, you must be prepared to leave the U.S. before your current status expires.
• Changing status can be a lengthy and complex process. Current USCIS processing times may be 11 months or longer. See the USCIS Processing Times website for the most current estimates.

Program start dates on your change of status I-20

• SFSU issues Change of Status I-20s for Spring and Fall semesters only. The program start date is typically in late January for Spring admission and late August for Fall admission.
• For example, if you plan to file Form I-539 in October, the program start date on your Change of Status I-20 would typically be for the following Spring semester.
• If your change of status application has not been approved by the program start date on your I-20 and you are unable to enroll because of your current immigration status, you may need to reapply for admission for a future semester. Once you are readmitted, your I-20 can be deferred to the new semester.
• If your change of status application has not been approved by the program start date on your I-20, but you are already enrolled at SFSU, we can defer your I-20 to the next available semester.

Eligibility to change status in the U.S.

• Not all nonimmigrant categories are eligible to change status in the U.S. Carefully review the USCIS guidance on changing to F-1 status and Form I-539 requirements before proceeding.
• You are not eligible to change status in the U.S. if you entered under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
• Some J-1 exchange visitors are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement (INA §212(e)). If you are subject to this requirement, you may not be eligible to change to F-1 status in the U.S. Consult your current J-1 program sponsor to determine your eligibility before applying.

There are two ways to change to F-1 status:

• Travel and re-entry: Leave the U.S., apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status.
• File I-539 with USCIS: File I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status online. You must remain in the U.S. while your application is pending and until USCIS makes a decision.

Important: USCIS policies and processing times may change, and approval of a change of status application is never guaranteed. It is your responsibility to stay informed and maintain your current nonimmigrant status while your application is pending.

Travel/Re-Entry

• Cost: flight ticket, visa application fee, and I-901 SEVIS fee.
• Visa processing time: varies by country. 
• Hard to travel mid-semester; not eligible for F-1 employment benefits until you re-enter in F-1 status and maintain full-time study for one academic year.

Filing I-539

• You must file change of status before your current non-immigrant status expires.
• Cost: I-539 filing fee, biometrics fee, I-901 SEVIS fee if out of status for more than 5 months. Fees subject to change — see USCIS Fee Schedule. 
• Processing time: about 5 months or longer.
• Must stay in the U.S. and enroll full-tme (except B-1/B-2 and F-2).
• If denied, you must leave the U.S. before your current status expires. 

A, G, and NATO dependents

• If you are in A, G, or NATO dependent status, you must first file Form I-566, Interagency Record of Request.
• You may apply for a change to F-1 status only after Form I-566 has been approved and returned to you.
• Once you receive the approved Form I-566, you may file Form I-539 with USCIS to request a change to F-1 status.
• For additional information, review the instructions for Form I-566.

H temporary workers

• If you are in H-1B status and plan to change to F-1 status, USCIS must receive your Form I-539 no later than your last day of H-1B employment.
• There is no grace period between your H-1B employment end date and the expiration of your H-1B status. Your H-1B status ends when your employment ends.

J-1 exchange visitors

• If you are in J-1 status, consult your current program sponsor before applying for a change to F-1 status.
• Some J-1 exchange visitors are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement (INA §212(e)), which may affect eligibility for a change of status.
• Your program sponsor can help determine whether you are eligible to change to F-1 status in the U.S.

• The regulations at 8 CFR 214.2(b)(7) specifically prohibit study in the United States while in B-1 or B-2 status.