Change of Visa Status

An individual may submit an application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to request a change of status while remaining in the U.S. 

ISS strongly recommends applicants consult with an ISS advisor to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the two options. While ISS advisors cannot provide legal advice, they can help you discuss your options.

Acquiring F-1 Status Through Re-entry

Individuals who choose to re-enter the U.S. to acquire F-1 status must follow the three steps below.

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1. Obtain an F-1 I-20

All individuals wishing to obtain an F-1 visa must apply after receiving an I-20. This form is a "certificate of eligibility" for F-1 status; the form alone does not grant F-1 status. The process for obtaining an I-20 depends on whether you are a new student or are currently enrolled at the University of Minnesota.

Newly Admitted Students to the University of Minnesota

Your I-20 will be sent to you after you confirm your enrollment after being admitted to the University of Minnesota Crookston. If you have any questions about what requirements you must complete in order to receive your I-20, contact the appropriate university office.

Students Currently Enrolled at the University of Minnesota

You must submit a completed financial certification status to an ISS advisor during drop-in hours. If you expect to have funding from the University of Minnesota after acquiring F-1 status that should be listed on your I-20. You will need to submit documentary evidence of the funding with your Financial Certification Statement.

Please be aware that an AI "Determine Current Visa Status" registration hold will be added to your U of M Crookston record as part of the I-20 processing. This hold will be removed after you re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status and report your arrival to the ISS.

2. Apply for an F-1 Visa

  1. Pay the F-1 SEVIS fee.
  2. Apply for an F-1 visa at a consular office outside the U.S., preferably in your country of citizenship.
  3. Plan your arrival in the U.S. in F-1 status.

3. Re-enter the U.S. Before Your I-20 Program Start Date

You must re-enter the U.S. before the program start date listed on your I-20; however, the earliest you are allowed to re-enter the U.S. is a maximum of 30 days before your I-20 program start date.

Acquiring F-1 Status Through Change of Status

An individual is only eligible to change status to F-1 if all of the following items apply:

  1. The applicant's current non-immigrant status is valid at the time USCIS receives the change of status to F-1 application.
  2. The applicant (a) has been in their current visa status for at least three months before filing a change of status to F-1 with USCIS, or (b) can provide USCIS proof of no preconceived intent to study at the time of last entry to U.S.
  3. The applicant’s most recent entry to the U.S. was not under the Visa Waiver Program for business (WB status) or tourism (WT status).

Application Procedure

Individuals who choose to apply for a change of status to F-1 must do all of the following steps. It is important that applicants plan to have enough time for this process as it is unlikely that USCIS will expedite a change of status to F-1 application, as USCIS Service Centers have rigid criteria for expedite requests.

Change of Status Application Procedure

Individuals who choose to apply for a change of status to F-1 must do all of the following steps. It is important that applicants plan to have enough time for this process as it is unlikely that USCIS will expedite a change of status to F-1 application, as USCIS Service Centers have rigid criteria for expedite requests.

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Gather Paperwork

Schedule an appointment with an ISS advisor to discuss your options for acquiring F-1 status. Bring as many of the following application materials as possible to your appointment. An ISS advisor will assess your circumstances to determine if additional documentation will be required for your application.

  • Form G-1145: This form allows you to receive an email or text message once USCIS receives your application.
  • Payment for filing and biometric services fees
    • Form I-539 Filing Fee: Prepare a check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”
    • Biometric Services Fee: Prepare a check or money order made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security.”
    • Form G-1450: This form is only needed if you will pay the filing fee and biometric services fee using a credit card instead of a check or money order.
  • Letter from the applicant explaining why a change of status is needed. Sign and date this letter when it is complete.
  • Form I-539: Review the Form I-539 instructions before downloading the fillable and savable Form I-539 PDF to your desktop and completing it the best you can by typing in responses. Use a black pen to clearly write in any responses that cannot be typed. Be sure to sign the form.
  • Photocopy of applicant’s I-20. The “Issue Reason” on page 1 of the I-20 should be “Change of Status.” You should also sign and date the I-20 before copying it.
  • Photocopy of your Form I-901 SEVIS fee receipt
  • Photocopy of your passport identity (photo) page
  • Photocopy of your Form I-94
  • Photocopy of letter of admission to the University of Minnesota (if newly admitted)
  • Copy of financial support documents that match the funding indicated on Form I-20 (for example, bank statement, assistantship offer letter, letter of support from sponsoring family member, including parents, spouse, etc.). If funding circumstances are unusual or complex, consider including a completed Form I-134, Affidavit of Support.
  • Parents or guardians may sign Form I-539A for children under age 14 or for any co-applicant who is not mentally competent to sign.

 

Submit Application Materials

Individuals are encouraged (but not required) to schedule a follow-up appointment with an ISS advisor for a final review of your application materials. You should then mail all of your documents to USCIS.

Once finalized, make sure to:

  • Make a copy of all your documents before sending them to USCIS.
  • Use a receipt-based mailing option such as certified mail or an express delivery service like FedEx or DHL. You will receive evidence your application was received by USCIS

Attend Biometric Services Appointment

Every applicant and co-applicant will receive a biometric services appointment notice, regardless of age, containing their individual receipt number. Biometric services appointments will be scheduled at the Application Support Center (ASC) closest to the primary applicant’s address. Co-applicants who wish to be scheduled at a different ASC location should file a separate Form I-539. If you fail to attend your biometric services appointment, USCIS may deny your application.

Contact ISS Once USCIS Responds

If Your Change of Status to F-1 Is Approved

Upon receiving the F-1 change of status approval notice (Form I-797), you must report the approval to ISS. Email ISS  or bring your F-1 approval notice to the ISS Welcome Center. The staff will photocopy your document and ask you to complete a “Change of Status to F-1 Approved” form. You will also be required to complete an online Immigration Regulations course before your AI hold is permanently removed.

Your F-1 status is granted as of the effective date on the F-1 approval notice. Failure to report your change of status in a timely way could result in the loss of your newly gained status.

If Your Change of Status to F-1 Is Denied

There is no guarantee that USCIS will approve a change of status request. If you receive an F-1 change of status denial notice (Form I-797), you can consult with an ISS advisor during walk in hours to learn more about your options.

Problems Related to Change of Status Applications
USCIS can take a long time to either approve or deny a change of status application. If you are still waiting for an approval or denial on your start date as indicated on your I-20, you should continue to wait. If, however, you wait 30 days and action has still not been taken, contact ISS to ask for your start date to be deferred to a future date so your SEVIS record will not automatically be canceled. This will, sometimes, need to be done multiple times due to USCIS’s processing time.