You have two options for obtaining F-1 status:
- Apply inside the United States for a change of status.
- Leave the United States and apply for a new visa stamp at a U.S. embassy.
How to change to F-1 status
Option one: Apply for F-1 status from inside the U.S.
Approval or denial of your Change of Status application can take at least four months. It is critical that you start the application process well in advance of the start of your new program. USCIS requires that applicants maintain their current immigration status until the change of status application is approved. Timing is especially critical if you will have funding from your department that will require you to work on campus in your first semester. Current processing times can be found by going to the USCIS website.
Request the appropriate form from OIS
Before you can apply for a Change of Status, you must first request an I-20 from OIS. Make an appointment with an OIS advisor by calling 812-855-9086 to see if you are eligible.
You will need to provide us with:
- Updated financial documentation, less than 12 months old
- A copy of your passport identity page (including date of birth, name, photo, and expiration date)
- A copy of the passport identity pages for any dependents on your record
- Admission letter from the Office of International Services
Once you have assembled the appropriate documents, contact OIS for Atlas access. Once it is granted, you can request your I-20 using Atlas.
Complete the change of status application (form I-539) from USCIS
You will need to gather these documents:
- Form I-539 (can be downloaded from USCIS website)
- A check or money order for the current I-539 form fee, which can be found on the USCIS website, made out to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”
- Copies of:
- Your new I-20 (You must request this new I-20 from the OIS via Atlas!)
- Your admission letter—from the Office of International Admissions
- Financial documents showing that funds are available to cover the expenses as listed on the I-20 (Learn more about estimated expenses)
- A copy of your electronic I-94 or the front and back of your I-94 card
- Your passport’s identification page (including date of birth, name, photo, and expiration date)
- Documentation that proves that you have been maintaining your other visa status (examples will be provided by an OIS advisor)
- A receipt proving payment of the SEVIS fee
Under some circumstances, an I-539 Change of Status application may not be submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) because of restrictions imposed by a previous status. In these cases, travel would be required for the change of status. An OIS advisor can help determine your eligibility for an I-539 Change of Status application.
Get help with your change of status application
OIS can help you through the process. Just call us at 812-855-9086 to make an appointment with an advisor.
You can also retain legal counsel to help with this application and its submission. If you choose this option, you will be required to provide the OIS with a copy of your receipt notice and the final adjudication (approval or denial) documents as soon as you receive them.
If your application is approved, your new status will begin on the date indicated by USCIS on your Approval Notice.
Option two: Apply for F-1 status from outside the U.S.
Request the appropriate form from OIS
To apply for a new visa stamp from your home country, you must first request an I-20 from OIS. Make an appointment with an OIS advisor by calling 812-855-9086 to see if you are eligible.
You will need to provide us with:
- Updated financial documentation, less than 12 months old
- A copy of your passport identity page (including date of birth, name, photo, and expiration date)
- A copy of the passport identity pages for any dependents on your record
- Admission letter from the Office of International Services
Once you have assembled the appropriate documents, contact OIS for Atlas access. Once it is granted, you can request your I-20 using Atlas.
Apply for a new visa
After you have obtained your I-20, apply for the visa stamp at the U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country. If you’re unsure where your embassy is, see this list.
You can learn more about applying for a visa in the F-1 student section. See also the U.S. Department of State’s website on information for nonimmigrants present in the United States, and visiting Canada or Mexico.
Once you’ve re-entered the United States using your new F-1 visa and I-20, your new status will take effect.