Change of Status to F-1

Students who are changing their status from within the U.S. must complete the I-20 application process. On page 1 of the I-20 application, you will list your current visa status and indicate that you will apply for the status adjustment from within the U.S. In addition to the I-20 application, please complete and submit the Change of Status Acknowledgement form to your admissions portal. Once your I-20 application and financial documents have been approved, we will issue you an I-20 that will allow you to apply for the change of status with USCIS. Montclair cannot assist with the change of status application process, we highly recommend that you work with an immigration lawyer.

Steps for applying for a change of status via USCIS:

• Gather the following documents
  • G-1145, E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance
  • A cover letter (one page) requesting the change of status from your current status to F-1. This letter should include a brief explanation as why you wish to change to F-1 status. You should also provide a checklist of the documentation you are including in your application.
  • USCIS Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, including application fee.
  • Evidence of financial support (i.e., bank statement, assistantship letter, etc.). This should be the same evidence you have provided for your I-20.
  • Copy of the admission letter from Montclair.
  • Copy of your Form I-20 with your original signature in blue ink.  Do NOT send your original I-20. USCIS does not require the original and will not return it.
  • Copy of the receipt indicating payment of the SEVIS fee.
  • Copies of all of the prior immigration documents you have had. (e.g. DS-2019, F-2 I-20, I-797, paper or print-out of electronic Form I-94, valid passport, visa stamp, EAD card, etc.) showing that you are currently in lawful non-immigrant status.
  • Copy of the waiver of the 212(e) Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement (if you were previously in J status and subject to the requirement), if applicable.

Mailing Address and Where to File

It may take USCIS several months/years to adjudicate an I-539 request, and therefore you should use a return address that will be valid for many months. We do not recommend trying to change your I-539 mailing address once your application has been submitted to USCIS.  USCIS does not forward mail!

Reminders

• If you are currently in F-2 status:
  • Individuals in F-2 status are eligible for part time study.  However, once your change of status to F-1 is approved, you are required to be enrolled full time. If your change of status has not been approved by the deadline for adding/dropping classes, your I-20 start date will be deferred until the start of the next semester.
     
• If you are currently in B1/B2 status:
  • Individuals in B1/B2 status are prohibited from “enrolling in a course of study” until after USCIS approves their change of status application.
     
• If you are currently in any other status (e.g., H, J, L, E, etc.):
  • If your current status allows full-time studies in the U.S., you may start classes before your change of status application is approved. However, you are not allowed employment under F-1 status until after your application is approved.

The change of status application is unpredictable and often takes 5 to 10 months to be approved by USCIS. Please schedule an appointment with OGE to discuss your study options while your application is pending. Certain visa types are permitted to begin studying while their change of status application is pending. B1/2 visa holders are NOT permitted to study until their status has been adjusted to F-1.

Students are responsible for their own change of status applications. Once you have submitted your application with USCIS, you must send OGE your receipt number. Once the change has been approved, please notify OGE and send us your official approval notice as soon as you receive it.

If you are changing your status by traveling outside of the U.S. and applying for the F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy, you will apply for an initial I-20 by completing the I-20 application process.

In this case, you would depart the U.S. and then apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, preferably the local consulate in your home country. If the F-1 visa application is approved and the F-1 visa is issued, then you can re-enter the U.S. using your F-1 I-20 form and F-1 visa. At the Port of Entry, your electronic I-94 will be updated to show your status as F-1 and the Admit Until Date as D/S, which confirms F-1 status.

Please note that Canadian citizens are exempt from the requirement of a having an F-1 visa to re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status. But travel and re-entry are still required for Canadian citizens to obtain F-1 status.

For further information about travel and re-entry and/or visa applications, refer to the U.S. Department of State web site and Travel Outside the U.S. and Reentry.