Change of Status

There are two ways to change your immigration status. The first option is to depart the U.S., apply for a new visa for the status you wish to change to, and enter the U.S. in that status. This is generally the fastest way to change status. If you are wanting to change to F-1 status or F-2 status the International Admissions office or International Students and Scholars office can issue the I-20 for you to use at the visa interview.

You can also change status by filing a change of status application through United Status Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This application costs $290 and can take anywhere from two to more than six months to be adjudicated. If you leave the U.S. while your change of status is pending your application can be considered abandoned by USCIS. If your application is approved you are then given an approval document showing you are officially in the new status. If you travel after a change of status approval you must still go to a U.S. Embassy abroad to obtain a new visa for the new status before entering the U.S.

You may file a change of status application on your own or with the help of someone else like an immigration attorney. The ISS office will meet with you to go over the application process only upon request. For more information on changing status please review the USCIS website.