Change of Status Checklist

Special considerations in requesting change of status

In order to be eligible to change your status to F-1, your current status must be valid until 30 days before the start of your academic program and you must continue to maintain your current status until your change of status is approved. Applicants in B-1/B-2 status cannot enroll in classes until the change of their status to F-1 is approved.

Nonimmigrant visa holders in the following categories are not permitted to change to F-1 status from within the US and must change status through Consular Processing.

• M-1 students
• C, D, and K nonimmigrants
• WT and WB visitors admitted under the Visa Waiver Program
• J-1 physicians admitted to receive graduate medical education or training
• J nonimmigrants subject to the 212(e) 2-year foreign residence requirement

When in F-1 status, you must be enrolled full-time (12 credits for undergraduate and law students; 9 credits for graduate students) in on-ground courses each term and you cannot work without prior authorization from the International Student & Scholar Center (ISSC).

Applying to change status within the US

To request the change of status within the US, you must submit Form I-539 (Application to extend/change nonimmigrant status) to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). When completing this form, answer all questions that pertain to your case and mail this form, along with the suggested documents below to USCIS

Suggested documents to enclose with your completed I-539 application

1. Personal statement, addressed to USCIS, describing why you would like to change your status
2. Copy of I-20 reflecting the change of status notation for your program of study
3. Copy of I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee receipt
4. Check or money order made out to U.S. Department of Homeland Security
5. Copy of your letter of admission or original certificate of enrollment at UMass Dartmouth
6. I-94 record (find and print I-94)
7. Copy of the biographical page of your current passport
8. Copy of the most recent visa and full immigration documents for the principal visa holder (if you are holding a dependent visa, such as H-4, L-2, E-2, F-2, etc.). You may also need to provide a copy of the documentation meeting or waiving the 212(e) requirement, if applicable, or copies of 3 recent pay-stubs for the principal visa holder, if applicable. Please discuss these specifications with the immigration lawyer of your spouse.
9. Financial documentation demonstrating how you will cover your living expenses, tuition and fees indicated on your new I-20. If the name of the account holder on your financial documents is different from your own, include a financial affidavit of support.
10. https://www.uscis.gov/g-1145https://www.uscis.gov/g-1145

Helpful tips

If you are applying for F-2 or J-2 status, you will need to provide your I-20/DS-2019, your marriage certificate or birth certificate (with English translation, if applicable), and copies of the principal visa holder’s documents. If you are currently in A or G status, you must first have Form I-566 approved by the Department of State

Additional Information

Please follow Form I-539 instructions according to the USCIS website. Please contact the ISSC and provide scanned copies of documentation upon receiving USCIS mail about your case. The ISSC provides information only, not legal advice.