Change of Status from B1/B2 to F-1
When you enter the United States in nonimmigrant status, you do so for a specific purpose, such as study, work, or travel. You may enter the U.S. with one purpose and later change your purpose. When this happens, you may need to obtain a new status. Different visa/status categories allow different activities.
There are two ways of gaining a new nonimmigrant status:
Option 1: Travel and Reentry
Leave the U.S., apply for a new visa at a U.S. consulate, and reenter the U.S. with the new visa. You will gain your new status when you are admitted into the U.S. This process is usually faster than changing status in the U.S. and requires less paper work. Also, you will obtain both a visa and the status. However, it has two drawbacks which are the possibility of delay of visa processing time and the expense of travel and ticket.
Option 2: Change Status in the U.S.
Submit an application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a change of status. This option allows you to change your nonimmigrant status while remaining in the U.S. With this option you may gain the new status but you will not receive a new visa; visas are only issued outside the U.S. when you travel back to your home country. This will allow you to stay in the U.S. during processing. However, this process can be very slow (fourteen to seventeen months). Also, you must stay in the U.S. during processing; exiting the U.S. cancels the application. In addition, you must still obtain a visa stamp to match your status the next time you travel outside the U.S. (except for trips under 30 days to Canada or Mexico). The major disadvantage is the fact that application may be denied, which could require you to quickly depart the U.S.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
• B-1/B-2 visa holders are not permitted to enroll in a course of study before their change of status is approved. B visitors who have begun a course of study in the U.S. are not eligible for a change to F-1 status. Please check Visitors Who Want to Enroll in School Special Instructions for B-1/B-2
• F-1 on-campus employment is not authorized until the change of status has been approved by the USCIS.
• If your change of status is not approved by the program start date printed on the I-20 form, you MUST contact your international student advisor immediately to defer your program start date.
• You must be accepted for a full course of study and have the financial ability to support the costs of living and studying in the U.S.
• B1/B2 status must show that they did not intentionally apply for the wrong visa or deliberately enter the U.S. in the wrong status. If you knew that you were going to go to school when you applied for the visa or entered the U.S. you will not qualify to change to F-1 status.
• You must be able to prove that you have a permanent residence in your home country that you do not intend to abandon.
• You must be in the US in a lawful B1/B2 Status when you apply for a change of status.
• Processing times for change of status in the US vary, so be prepared to wait three to six months to learn the outcome of your application. To review current processing times and your pending case status, visit the USCIS Case Status Service Online.
• USCIS will notify you of their decision with Form I-797 Notice of Action. The I-797 is an important document and should be kept with your passport and I-94 card. The denial letter or approval notice will be mailed to the address listed on Form I-539 in your application. Note that if you change your address, the postal service will not forward mail sent to you by USCIS. Please provide the Office of International Student Services (OISS) with a copy of your I-797/Notice of Action and approval notice.
• You may remain in the U.S. while your application is pending, even if your original status expires during the application processing.
• Do not travel outside of the U.S. while your change of status case is pending. If you leave the country, USCIS will consider your application abandoned.
• In order to re-enter the U.S. after a trip abroad (except for brief trips to Canada or Mexico under 30 days), you must visit a U.S. consulate to request a new visa to match your new status.
Required Steps after getting accepted to Rowan College at Burlington County:
1. Contact OISS to set up an initial appointment with the International advisor to discuss the admissions process. Schedule an appointment, please click HERE
2. Complete RCBC International Student Application and submit OISS with all of the required information including financial documents.
3. Once you are admitted to a full-time degree program of study at RCBC, we will provide you with the Acceptance letter and issue a new I-20 requesting a change of status in SEVIS.
4. Pay the SEVIS Fee (this will be done after you receive your I-20).
After receiving the new I-20, submit an application to the USCIS for a change of status:
Form I-539 with USCIS. Instructions to fill Form I-539
IMPORTANT: OISS cannot assist you with a change of status. You should seek the services of an immigration attorney.
Please visit the ICE website
Additional information on Changing to a Nonimmigrant F or M Student Status is also available on the USCIS website.