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Change of Status to F-1
If you are studying at Texas State on a visa status other than F-1 but would like to study full-time in a degree program and/or utilize the benefits of practical training, you may be eligible to change to F-1 visa status. To do so you will need to apply for a change of your visa status to US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with the assistance of the Texas State International Office. This process only changes your status, i.e., the classification noted on your I-94 card. It will not change your visa in your passport. In fact, applying for a change of status in the U.S. may affect your ability to obtain a visa in the future. A visa is only needed if you leave the U.S. and want to reenter. Instead of applying for a change of status in the U.S., you may prefer to apply for a new visa in Mexico, Canada, or in your home country.
Beginning September 1, 2004, a new U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule went into effect requiring F-1 applicants to pay a one-time fee of $100 to supplement the administration and maintenance costs of the Student and Exchange Information System (SEVIS). A receipt for this fee must be included with your change of status packet (see details in appointment checklist).
Important Points
You can attend school while your application is pending unless you are in F-2 or B-1/B-2 status. F-2’s and B-1/B-2’s may not take classes until your F-1 status is approved.
If you are in a status that does not permit employment, you cannot work on campus nor apply for practical training until the F-1 is approved.
If you are a child in a dependent visa classification (e.g. F-2, H-4, L-2, R-2, etc.), you must be sure to change your status before you turn 21 years of age. A-1 and A-2 dependents must change their status before age 25.
If you are in J-1 or J-2 status, you must not be subject to the two-year home country residency requirement 212 (e), or you must have a waiver. Waivers may take up to 9 months to obtain. If you are not subject, it is recommended that you obtain an “Advisory Opinion” from the U.S. State Department to include with your application. It may take 60 days or more to obtain an Advisory Opinion.
It can take as many as three months and possibly longer for DHS to process a change of status application. Please discuss any questions you may have with an Immigration Advisor.
Appointment Checklist
Please call the International Office (512-245-7966) to make an appointment with the international student advisor when you have prepared all the documents listed below and are ready to submit your application. If all of your documents are in order at the time of appointment, your packet will be mailed the same day by our office.
At your appointment you must bring:
- Form I-539 Change of Status Application. Complete the form to the extent that you can, however leave unsure responses blank. It will be checked for accuracy during the appointment.
(a) Do not fill in your address in Part 1 (we will use a label with our office address)
(b) Do not fill in Part 3, #1
(c) Fill in Part 4 with your home country address
(d) Use “none” or “n/a” (not applicable) where applicable
- Receipt Showing Payment of SEVIS Fee of $100. This fee for the Form I-901 can be paid by mail or online at www.FMJfee.com however you must first have an I-20 issued to you in order to pay this fee. Since your I-20 will be issued to you at the time of your appointment, you can choose to pay this fee at that time online with a credit card, then print out the receipt to include with the change of status packet. Otherwise, if you choose to pay by check, you must wait for the receipt to be mailed to you and mail in your packet later.
- A Letter of Request addressed “To Whom It May Concern”: This is a letter written to the DHS requesting permission and explaining the reasons to change to F-1 status. Example: you have been admitted as a full-time regular degree seeking student and the eligibility to accept employment related to your field of study would be beneficial, or your spouse or parent will soon complete his/her program and leave the U.S., or your will soon turn 21.
- Your Texas State I-20, which will be issued at the time of your appointment
- Your acceptance letter from Texas State
- Evidence of financial support that states how you are paying for your education, and covers the amount stated on the I-20. Financial documents must be current and in English or have a certified translation in English. Examples:
(a) Funds from a personal account or sponsors personal account: Provide copies of three months of most recent bank account statements and copies of recent
paycheck stubs. If sponsored, include an affidavit of support from Admissions or the Form I-134 Affidavit of Support.
(b) RA's, TA's, & Fellowships: Complete a GA/RA/TA Verification form.
(c) Scholarships: Verify with a letter from your college or supplying agency. It should also state if you are eligible for resident tuition.
- Your immigration documents:
(a) Your passport, visa, and I-94 (small white card usually stapled in the passport) AND
(b) Any other documents verifying your current status (ex. F-2 dependent I-20, J-2 dependent DS- 2019, Form I-797 Notice of Action, etc.).
(c) If you held F-1 status in the past, please bring all previous I-20’s.
Copies of your documents will be made at the appointment. If any family members are changing status with you, bring all of their immigration related documents as well.
- If you are changing from a dependent classification (e.g. F-2, H-4, J-2, L-2, TD, etc.), bring the following:
(a) Primary visa holder’s immigration documentation (i.e. passport, visa, I-94, I-20, Form I-797 Notice of Action, etc.) AND
(b) Evidence of their current legal status (e.g. letter of good standing for F-1 or J-1 students or letter of employment for H-1B employee) AND
(c) The marriage certificate translated in English (spouse only).
If you are an A-1 or A-2 dependent, we recommend that you make an appointment to discuss the additional applications that need to be completed.
- Personal check payable to “Department of Homeland Security” for $300.00
(Do not make check payable to “DHS” or “USCIS”)
- Any other documents which seem appropriate