How do I change my B-2 tourist status or J-1 exchange visitor status to an F-1 student visa?
Please call the International Center as soon as possible if you believe that you want to change your visa status to student status. You must make an appointment with an International Center advisor to prepare the application. You must submit the application to USCIS before your I-94 card (or previous status) expires. Note that if your change to F-1 status is approved, you have the F-1 visa status but you do not have an F-1 entry visa, and you cannot obtain this while in the U.S. However, you do not need an entry visa until the next time you plan to leave and re-enter the U.S. At that time, you must apply to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of citizenship. Consult the International Center staff for assistance in compiling all necessary documents, since it will be critical that you prove “ties to your home country.
Related Questions
- Can I enter the United States on my student (F-1) or (M-1) visa, or exchange visitor (J-1) visa before school/ the exchange program begins?
- How do I change my B-2 tourist status or J-1 exchange visitor status to an F-1 student visa?
- Is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) applicable for F-1 visa?
