色情视频

Acquiring F-1 Status

Acquiring F-1 Status

The information on this page is for continuing international students at 色情视频 who have begun their degree program at 色情视频 in another status and wish to change to F-1 status. All continuing students are required to meet with an ISC Advisor to learn about the change of status process and how to obtain an 色情视频 I-20.

If you are a newly admitted international student, please refer to our Instructions for Newly Admitted Students.

If you want or need to change to F-1 status, you will find a general overview of the process below.

There are two ways to acquire F-1 status: 

  1. Travel and Re-entry to the U.S.: Depart the U.S. and apply for F-1 student visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate using 色情视频 I-20, then re-enter the U.S. with the new visa and I-20. (Canadian citizens may also acquire F-1 status using 色情视频 I-20, but will not need the visa.)
  2. Apply for Change of Status in U.S.: Remain in the U.S. and file an application to change status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) using 色情视频 I-20.

We recommend that you contact an immigration attorney to help choose the option that is best for you based on your immigration history and future plans in the U.S. This choice can impact your immigration status and eligibility for future immigration benefits. There is risk involved with both options, as there is no guarantee the U.S. government will approve a change to F-1 status regardless of the option you select.

Travel and Re-entry to the U.S.

If you wish to acquire F-1 status by re-entry to the U.S., please review the following steps:

  1. Meet with an ISC Advisor - Email [email protected] stating that you wish to change to F-1 status and require a meeting with an ISC advisor. You must meet with an ISC advisor before requesting an I-20. 
  2. Request an I-20 immigration document from the ISC by completing the. You will need to upload a completed Financial Statement Form and proof of funding
  3. After receiving the I-20, and keep a copy of the payment receipt.
  4. Re-enter the U.S. before your Program Start Date with F-1 visa and I-20. The earliest you may re-enter the U.S. is 30 days before the I-20 Program Start Date.

After arriving in the U.S., you will need to:

  1. Email the and copy of your F-1 visa to the ISC by the first week of classes.
  2. Satisfy the Health Insurance requirement before the first day of classes. This can be done before re-entry to the U.S.
  3. Complete the ISC鈥檚 required Online F-1 Immigration Module by the deadline indicated. Generally, the Fall semester Module is available in mid-July and the Spring semester Module is available in mid-December. This can be done before re-entry to the U.S.
  4. Follow the rules for your new F-1 status. Read the ISC鈥檚 F-1 Students webpage for additional information on your new F-1 status. This can be done before re-entry to the U.S.
  5. Ask the ISC if you have any questions during your F-1 status.

Change of Status in U.S.


If you wish to acquire F-1 status by remaining in the U.S. and filing an application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), please review the following information:

  1. You must be in status and eligible for F-1 status at the time you apply and remain eligible for F-1 status at the time the application would be approved.
  2. Filing the change of status application with USCIS does not automatically grant you F-1 status. Once USCIS approves your application, you will be in F-1 status.
  3. An approved change of status in the U.S. only gives you F-1 status if you remain in the U.S. Once you depart the U.S. you must apply for the F-1 visa if you wish to re-enter in F-1 status.
  4. Getting approval for a change to F-1 status in the U.S. does not guarantee that you will obtain the F-1 visa if you depart the U.S. and apply for the visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
  5. The USCIS Processing Time for regular processing of Form I-539 varies and can be checked on the . Applicants have the option to pay an additional fee for Premium Processing, which guarantees a decision on your application within 30 business days.

Here are the general steps for filing an application to change to F-1 status: 

  1. Meet with an ISC Advisor - Email [email protected] stating that you wish to change to F-1 status and require a meeting with an ISC advisor. You must meet with an ISC advisor before requesting an I-20. 
  2. Request an I-20 immigration document from the ISC by completing the . You will need to upload a completed Financial Statement Form and proof of funding
  3. After receiving the I-20, and keep a copy of the payment receipt.
  4. , upload required documents, and pay the $420 for online filing before your current status expires. 
  5. Optional: Pay the additional fee for , which is currently $1,965 for online filing.
  6. An I-797 receipt notice from USCIS will be generated, confirming that Form I-539 was filed. You will find the receipt notice in the Documents section of your online application, and USCIS will also mail it to you.

To complete your transition to F-1 status, after you receive the I-797A Notice of Action (Approval Notice), please do the following:

  1. Email the I-797A to the ISC.
  2. Satisfy the Health Insurance requirement for the upcoming semester. If the date of approval falls within a semester, you must also satisfy the health insurance requirement for the current semester.
  3. Complete the ISC鈥檚 required Online F-1 Immigration Module by the deadline indicated. Generally, the Fall semester Module is available in mid-July and the Spring semester Module is available in mid-December. If the date of approval falls within a semester, you must complete the Module immediately.
  4. Follow the rules for your new F-1 status. Read the ISC鈥檚 F-1 Students webpage for additional information on your new F-1 status.
  5. Ask the ISC if you have any questions during your F-1 status.

Travel & Re-enter or Change Status in the U.S.?

Pros:
  • The F-1 visa allows you to enter the U.S. to obtain F-1 status, and also allows you to travel and re-enter the U.S. through the visa expiration date鈥揳s long as you maintain legal F-1 status.
  • For some, this option may be faster and less expensive than applying to change status in the U.S.
Cons:
  • The F-1 visa application must be done outside the U.S.
  • Consider the cost of the flight and/or lodging while outside the U.S.
  • Appointment availability at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate may not allow enough time for you to receive the F-1 visa stamp and re-enter the U.S. by the first day of the semester.
  • You must receive the F-1 visa stamp in order to re-enter the U.S. 
  • You cannot re-enter the U.S. with the F-1 visa more than 30 days before the Start Date on your I-20 immigration document.
  • It is always the decision of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent at the Port of Entry to allow a person to enter the U.S.
  • You will need to complete two semesters in lawful F-1 status before being eligible for Practical Training work authorization (Curricular Practical Training and Optional Practical Training).
Pros:
  • You may remain in the U.S. while waiting for the adjudication of your change of status application.
  • You are eligible for Practical Training work authorization (Curricular Practical Training and Optional Practical Training) after completing two semesters of full-time study in F-1 status.
Cons:
  • If you depart the U.S. while the change of status application is pending, USCIS will consider the application as abandoned, which will cancel it.
  • If you depart the U.S. after acquiring F-1 status and have not finished your degree program or Optional Practical Training, you will need to apply for and obtain an F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in order to re-enter the U.S. to complete your program or OPT.

Additional Considerations for Changing to F-1 Status

Certain immigrant and non-immigrant dependent statuses expire when the dependent reaches the age of 21, which is known as aging out. These dependents must change to F-1 status to study in the U.S. Some of the most common categories include: E1, E2, H4, L2, and TD.

All students in F-1 status must pay . Therefore, there may be changes to your tuition fees. For fee changes and related questions, please visit the for further information. 

All students in F-1 status must be enrolled full-time and/or be authorized for a Reduced Course Load. If the change to F-1 status occurs during a semester, you will still be required to meet the full-time enrollment requirement or be authorized for a Reduced Course Load for that semester.

If F-1 status is acquired by Travel and Re-entry, you must complete two semesters of full-time enrollment in F-1 status and/or be authorized for a Reduced Course Load in F-1 status before being eligible to participate in an off-campus employment or internship. 

If F-1 status is acquired by Changing Status in the U.S., you will be eligible to participate in an off-campus employment or internship after completing two semesters of full-time study in F-1 status.

All F-1 students must request and receive Practical Training work authorization to participate in an off-campus employment or internship, whether paid or unpaid. For more information, visit the F-1 Employment webpage.