Changing to F-1 Immigration Status

If you are in the United States in a valid immigration status, you may be eligible to change your status to F-1. Please read our web page on Maintaining Your Student Status to learn important information about F-1 status. There are two ways to change your status: By application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or by international travel. In either case, you must be a continuing student or a newly admitted student for the upcoming semester for ISSS to assist you with this process.

Change of Status Within the United States

Important points to know:

• Processing with USCIS can take 6 to 12 months plus mailing time or longer depending on USCIS processing times. While the application is pending you may not leave the United States.
• Applicants in B-2 status may not begin classes until they have changed to a student status or other status eligible to enroll in classes. Since the process to change to student status from B-2 can be complicated, please schedule an appointment to talk with an international student advisor about your options.
• You must submit the application to USCIS as soon as possible after being issued the I-20 from ISSS. If you have not filed your change of status application by the start date on your Change of Status I-20, you must contact ISSS for a new I-20.
• On-campus employment may not begin until the change of status has been approved and it is within 30 days of the "Start of Classes" noted on your Change of Status I-20.
• Your underlying status may expire more than 30 days before your requested program start date if your Change of Status to F-1 application was timely filed (i.e., was valid and unexpired when initially receipted by USCIS).
• Applicants who are changing status from F-2 can begin classes part-time but can only be enrolled full time once the application has been approved.
• The USCIS process will change your immigration status within the United States but does not give you a new visa stamp in your passport. After the application is approved and if you need to depart the U.S., you will need to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy in order to return in F-1 status.

Steps to Changing Status

• 1. Obtain a Change of Status I-20

  In order to change your status inside the U.S., you first need to obtain a “Change of Status” I-20 from International Student & Scholar Services:

  1. Email hotline@austin.utexas.edu to request access to the Change of Status Checklist in myIO. 
  2. Fill out and complete the first form in the checklist, the Change of Status Request form. 
  3. An international student advisor will review your request and arrange an advising appointment to walk you through the change of status process and answer any questions you may have.
  4. After your advising appointment, complete and submit the remaining forms in the checklist. You will need to submit biographical information, a copy of your valid, unexpired passport, a valid foreign address, and proof of funding for one year of tuition and living expenses. The most recent estimate of expenses can be found on the Financial Information web page.
  5. An international student advisor will review your forms and issue you a Change of Status I-20. The I-20 will be sent to you via secure email.
• 2. File a Change of Status Application

  Paying the SEVIS Fee

  Once an advisor issues your I-20, you must pay the SEVIS fee. Payment may be made online only after obtaining an I-20. For more information about the SEVIS fee, please refer to the Department of Homeland Security's website on the I-901 SEVIS fee.

  Applying to USCIS

  After receiving your Change of Status I-20, you must file Form I-539 Application to Change or Extend Nonimmigrant Status with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). We recommend filing with the assistance of a qualified immigration attorney. If you choose not to work with an attorney, ISSS will provide you with basic instructions on how to file an electronic or paper application when we email you your I-20. Be ready to collect and submit the following as part of your application to USCIS:

  • Original completed and signed Form I-539 (if filing a paper application).
  • Original letter written to USCIS – Explain why you are requesting a change to F-1 status (e.g. that the spouse or parent will soon complete their program and leave the U.S., that the dependent visa holder has been admitted as a full-time regular degree- seeking student, and/or that eligibility to accept employment related to the field of study would be beneficial). The letter should include your brief immigration history (how you originally came to the U.S. and whether you have changed status before). The letter cannot cite employment as reason for wanting to change to F1 status.
  • Copy of “Initial Attendance – Change of Status Requested” Form I-20 provided by ISSS. ISSS can create this once we have received proof of funding for one year of expenses and a valid foreign address. Please note that once we issue you the Change of Status I-20, you will automatically be enrolled and charged for the UT Student Health Plan. In certain cases, students holding comparable coverage may be eligible to waive enrollment in the UT Student Health Insurance Plan. For additional information, including waiver eligibility, process, and deadlines, please see Insurance Waivers.
  • Copy of Receipt showing payment of the SEVIS Fee. Payment may be made only after obtaining an I-20.
  • Copy of current immigration documents:
    • Passport
    • Most recent entry visa
    • Form I-94
    • Any other documents verifying your current status (e.g. I-797, DS-2019, dependent I-20, etc.).
  • Copy of evidence of financial support that is equal to or more than the amount that will appear on your I-20.
  • If you are currently a student: transcript or enrollment letter. If you are a new student: acceptance letter.
  • If changing from H-1B or L-1 status, letter verifying current employment and paystubs for the last 3 months of employment.
  • If changing from a dependent status to F-1, you will need to provide a copy of your marriage certificate or birth certificate (and English translation, if applicable) as well as copies of the principal visa holder’s documentation including:
    • Passport
    • Visa
    • Form I-94
    • Any other type of immigration form (e.g. I-20, DS-2019, I-797, etc.).
    • If currently in F-2 status, transcript of F-1 student.
    • If changing from H4 or L2, letter verifying current employment and paystubs for the last 3 months of employment of the primary visa holder (H-1B or L1).
    • If changing from E2, proof of business ownership of the primary visa holder, including business tax records.
  • I-539 filing fee. Please check the Form I-539 website for the most up-to-date fee information. If filing online, the online application will prompt you for payment.

  Tracking Your Application

  To ensure the application process goes smoothly and you receive timely assistance from ISSS, it is important that you track your application's progress and keep us notified of any updates by completing and submitting the following in your myIO Change of Status checklist:

  • I-539 Submission Notice: Submit this once you have filed your application with USCIS.
  • I-797C Receipt Notice: Submit this once you have received the receipt notice from USCIS.
  • Request for Evidence: Submit this if you receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny from USCIS. Not everyone receives an RFE. If you receive one, let us know right away so we can help you respond to the RFE by the deadline. Failure to respond to an RFE by the deadline will result in the denial of your application. 

  Required Steps After Approval

  As soon as you receive your official I-797 Approval Notice from USCIS, upload it to your myIO Change of Status checklist. ISSS can then activate your F-1 SEVIS record. Please note that until we activate your record, you will not be in F-1 status. 

  Automatic Enrollment in Health Insurance

  Please note that once your change of status is approved, you will automatically be enrolled and charged for the UT Student Health Plan. In certain cases, students holding comparable coverage may be eligible to waive enrollment in the UT Student Health Insurance Plan. For additional information, including waiver eligibility, process, and deadlines, please see Insurance Waivers.

Changing Status to F-1 By Travel

Important points to know:

• You will not be in F-1 status until you reenter the United States and complete the change of status checklist in myIO.
• After your entry in F-1 status, you will need to spend two long semesters enrolled full-time before you are eligible for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT). Any semesters spent enrolled full-time prior to your entry in F-1 status will not count towards eligibility for CPT or OPT.
• You may enter the United States no earlier than 30 days prior to the program start date listed in section 5 of the Initial I-20. Therefore it is important to plan your travel carefully.
• You may begin on-campus employment only after you reenter in F-1 status and check-in with ISSS.
• If you are changing your status from B-2, you may begin classes only after you return to the United States and obtain F-1 status.
• If changing from F-2 to F-1, you may only begin full time classes after you return to the United States in F-1 status.

Steps to Changing Status By Travel

• 1. Obtain an Initial I-20

  In order to change your status via travel, you first need to obtain an “Initial Attendance” I-20 from International Student & Scholar Services.

  New Students:

  Request the "Initial Attendance" I-20 in by completing the myIO Admissions Check-In.

  Continuing Students:

  1. Email hotline@austin.utexas.edu to request access to the Change of Status Checklist in myIO. 
  2. Fill out and complete the first form in the checklist, the Change of Status Request form. 
  3. An international student advisor will review your request and arrange an advising appointment.
  4. After your advising appointment, complete and submit the remaining forms in the checklist. You will need to submit biographical information, a copy of your valid, unexpired passport, a valid foreign address, and proof of funding for one year of tuition and living expenses. 
  5. The most recent estimate of expenses can be found on the Financial Information web page.
  6. Once an advisor issues your I-20, you must pay the SEVIS fee. Payment may be made only after obtaining an I-20. For more information about the SEVIS fee, please refer to the Department of Homeland Security's website on the I-901 SEVIS fee.

  Automatic Enrollment in Health Insurance

  Please note that once we issue you the Change of Status I-20, you will automatically be enrolled and charged for the UT Student Health Plan. In certain cases, students holding comparable coverage may be eligible to waive enrollment in the UT Student Health Insurance Plan. For additional information, including waiver eligibility, process, and deadlines, please see Insurance Waivers.

• 2. Depart the United States and Obtain an F-1 Visa

  Paying the SEVIS Fee

  Once an advisor issues your I-20, you must pay the SEVIS fee. Payment may be made online only after obtaining an I-20. For more information about the SEVIS fee, please refer to the Department of Homeland Security's website on the I-901 SEVIS fee.

  Obtaining an F-1 Visa

  When you leave the United States, you will need the Form I-20 to obtain an F-1 visa from a U.S. consulate or embassy. It is not possible to obtain an F-1 visa inside the United States.

  We recommend that you make your application in your home country or country of residence. Please visit our Visa Information web page for more information on how to apply for a visa.

  Please note that Canadian passport holders do not need a visa, but must follow all other steps (including requesting an I-20, paying the SEVIS fee, and presenting their F-1 I-20 at the U.S. port of entry).

• 3. Re-Enter the United States in F-1 Status and Report to ISSS

  Entering the U.S. With Your F-1 Documents

  • You may enter the United States no earlier than 30 days prior to the program start date listed in section 5 of the Initial I-20.
  • At the port of entry present your I-20 and newly acquired F-1 visa to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.
  • If re-entering by air travel:
    • After you return to the United States in F-1 status, retrieve your electronic I-94 Arrival Record. The I-94 record must indicate “F-1” and “D/S.”
  • If re-entering via a land border:
    • Request an I-94 Arrival Record showing F-1 status from the CBP officer. If you are not given a new I-94 record that indicates you are in F-1 status, you will be required to travel again in order to obtain the proper status.

  Required Steps After Entry

  As soon as you re-enter the United States, you must complete a check in process with ISSS. As part of this process, you will have to upload your immigration documents (including your I-94) and submit your local U.S. address and phone number. Once you have completed these steps, ISSS can activate your F-1 SEVIS record. Failure to complete these steps will lead to the loss of your status. The steps you must follow will depend on whether you are a new student or a continuing student.

  New Students

  Complete the myIO Admissions Arrival Check-In.

  Continuing Students

  Complete the following forms in your myIO Change of Status checklist so that ISSS can activate your F-1 SEVIS record:

  • Document Check
  • Contact Information