Guidance for Filing a Change of Status to F-1 or F-2

 

This guidance is intended to assist individuals who have discussed their intent to file a change of status to F-1 (student) or F-2 (dependent) with an International Student Advisor.  If you have not yet met with an advisor, please call 316-978-3232 to schedule an appointment.

The following pages will help guide you through the process of obtaining a Form I-20 for change of status, compiling evidence, and completing the Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.  Prospective applicants should first read the  page on the USCIS website.  Complex questions should be referred to an experienced immigration attorney.

Obtain a Change of Status I-20
Changing to F-1 Status
  • New students should apply for admission to WSU. Graduate Admission  Undergraduate Admission Be sure to indicate on the application or communicate to your Admissions Officer you plan to file for a change of status and are requesting a 鈥渃hange of status鈥� Form I-20.
  • Current students may obtain the Form I-20 from either International Education (OIE) or the Graduate School.  A Certification of Financial Support must be submitted prior to issuance of the Form I-20.  Keep a copy of the CFS to submit to USCIS with your change of status application.  
Changing to F-2 Status
  • An F-2 dependent I-20 can be obtained by the primary F-1 status holder by submitting a Dependent I-20 Request form to OIE.  Email iss@wichita.edu to request a form.  A new Certification of Financial Support will be required.
Pay the SEVIS fee (Only required if changing to F-1 status)

Pay the $350 SEVIS fee online at and print or save a copy of the receipt.  Because you need your SEVIS ID number to pay the fee, you must wait until your Form I-20 is issued before completing this step. This step is only required if changing to F-1 status.

Create an Account with USCIS to file your Form I-539 Application Online

As of April 2024, the application fee for online filers was $420 with an option of paying the .  Applicants with dependents cannot file online at this time.  They must file by paper.  The following link leads to the Form I-539 page on the USCIS website from which you can access the online account creation page or the paper form (needed if filing with dependents): 

The Office of International Education has prepared a guidebook to help you complete the Form I-539 for your Change of Status, which can be found below:

Change of Status Guidebook 
Items Needed When Filing an Online Application

Follow the prompts within the application for submitting evidence.

Required

  • Form I-20 requesting change of status. Be sure to sign the I-20 before uploading. Keep the original for your records.
  • I-94. Access your I-94 from the CBP website .  If your last entry into the U.S.  was prior to 4/29/13 you should have a paper I-94 card stapled inside your passport.  Be sure to copy front and back of card.  Keep the original in your passport. Note: F-2 dependent I-20s are signed by the primary F-1 status holder.
  • Financial Support Documentation proving sufficient funds to support you during your studies. USCIS will want to verify you have the necessary financial support to complete your educational objective.  Available funding should match or exceed total amount listed for 鈥渆stimated average costs鈥� section of the F-1 I-20.  Documentation can include items such as recent bank statements (no more than 6 months old), proof of school or outside scholarship support, sponsor statement confirming commitment and source of funds, verification of sponsor鈥檚 employment.  If bank statements do not list currency in dollars, find an online tool to convert to dollars and provide that printout with the bank statement.  We also encourage providing a copy of the Certification of Financial Support submitted to OIE or the Graduate School when applying for admission.
  • Personal Statement (typed and dated) explaining why you want to change status. Include information about why you entered the U. S. in your current status, why and how your intentions changed on in the U. S., and any other relevant information.

    In addition, at your discretion you may choose to provide information about your ties to your home country or foreign country of residence.  Under federal law, all applicants for nonimmigrant visas or statuses, such as student visas, are viewed as having intentions to immigrate to the U.S. until they can demonstrate otherwise. It is important to show that you have strong ties to your home country, or reasons for returning to your home country or foreign country of residence after completing your program of study. Proof of ties will vary per applicant. Examples of ties include:
    • Offer of employment or current job abroad
    • Financial prospects that you own or will inherit, such as a family business, investments, etc.
    • Property or Land in your name 
    • Direct family members (such as spouse, children, or parents) which you support 
    • For further details about this topic, you can visit the State Department鈥檚 Foreign Affairs Manual  which explains the basics of what consular officers or USCIS Adjudicators may consider
Additional Evidence That May be Requested or Beneficial
  • Copy of evidence of current status. F-2s changing to F-1 should submit copies of their dependent I-20 and spouse鈥檚 I-20.  F-1 changing to F-2 should also submit evidence of F-1s status. If currently in J-1 status, submit copies of DS-2019.
  • Copy of passport biographical information page. If you have renewed your passport while in the U.S., upload both the expired and current passports.
  • Copy of current visa
  • Receipt for Form I-901 SEVIS Fee payment. Only required if changing status to F-1.  

Current processing times can be found on the , but generally change of status applications take approximately 4 to 6 months to be adjudicated.  Applicants can choose to pay the Premium Processing fee.  See this link for full details: 

Important Notes:

  1. Those changing status from B-2 may not start school before the application is approved.
  2. Those changing from F-2 may not study full-time before the application is approved.
  3. No F-1 benefits, including on-campus employment, are available until the application is approved.
  4. If approved for a change of status to F-1, you will have to obtain an F-1 visa the next time you travel outside of the U.S.
  5. If the application is denied, the applicant may be required to leave the U.S. on short notice, interrupting their program of study at an inconvenient or academically disadvantageous time.
  6. To be eligible for a change of status, your current status must be valid at the time of application. The program start date on your Form I-20 will need to be deferred if your application is not adjudicated by the program start date.

The purpose of this guidance is to inform students about the process of applying for a change to their nonimmigrant status.  The information contained on our website is provided as a service to the international students, faculty, staff, employees, and administrators of 麻豆破解版 State University, and does not constitute legal advice on any immigration, tax, or other matter.  Our goal is to provide useful information, but we make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to this website or any associated site.  As legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, and laws are constantly changing, nothing provided herein should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent counsel. Neither 麻豆破解版 State University nor the Office of International Education (OIE) is responsible for any errors or omissions contained in this website, or for the results obtained from the use of this information.