International Students & Programs Office

International Center, 9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code #0018

La Jolla, CA 92093-0018
Phone (858) 534-3730 Fax (858) 534-0909
istudents@ucsd.edu
http://istudents.ucsd.edu

CHANGING TO F-1 STUDENT STATUS

OVERVIEW
If you hold a valid non-immigrant visa status and your intent is to become a full-time student at
UCSD, you may apply to change your visa status to an F-1 student status. Once approved for F-1
status, you will become eligible for all F-1 status benefits. There are two ways to obtain F-1
student status:
1. Depart the USA and apply for an F-1 visa in your home country.
- OR 2. Apply for a change of status to F-1 student status while remaining in the USA.
OPTION #1: APPLYING FOR F-1 VISA OUTSIDE OF USA
To apply for an F-1 visa outside of the USA, you must obtain a Form I-20 from UCSD. Please do
the following to obtain an F-1 visa:
Meet with an International Student Advisor at the International Center. Call 858-534-3730
to set an appointment.
Submit your admission letter or academic history from TritonLink, bank statement, and
I-20 Request Form, available at http://istudents.ucsd.edu/students/forms.html, to the
International Center and allow 10 working days for processing. If the bank statement is in
foreign currency, please provide conversion to US dollars (available at www.oanda.com)
Obtain a Form I-20 from the International Center.
Pay US$200 SEVIS fee and schedule appointment with US embassy or consulate
outside of the USA.
Interview with consular officer at US embassy or consulate outside of the USA. NOTE: At
the interview, you may be asked to provide proof that you are a bona fide non-immigrant,
with strong ties to your home country and no intention of immigrating to the USA.
Receive F-1 visa and reenter USA to enroll as a full-time student at UCSD.
After approval, please visit the International Center within 15 days of your I-20 start date so we
can make copies of your passport, F-1 visa stamp, and updated I-94 card. At that time, you will
be asked to schedule an orientation session with an international student advisor as well.
OPTION #2: CHANGE OF STATUS: APPLYING WITH USCIS AND REMAIN IN THE USA
To change your status to F-1 student status while remaining in the USA, you must submit an
application to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This process may take 3-4
months or longer, so please plan accordingly. NOTE: Students changing from B-2 or F-2 status to
F-1 MUST receive approval before the first day of the admitted quarter. Failure to receive F-1
approval may delay your admission or prevent your enrollment at UCSD.
Eligibility
Individuals requesting a change of status while remaining in the USA must satisfy the following
criteria:
Your current I-94 status is valid. For all change of status applicants, there cannot be more
than 30 days between when your current status ends and when the Form I-20 begins.
Your current I-94 status allows a change of status while remaining in the USA.
If you have ever been in J Exchange Visitor status, and are subject to the two year home
residency requirement, you are eligible to apply for a change of status in the USA only if
International Center | University of California San Diego | La Jolla, CA 92093-0018 USA | Tel: 858-534-3730 | Fax: 858-534-0909 | istudents@ucsd.edu | http://istudents.ucsd.edu

you have fulfilled the requirement or have obtained a waiver and can provide a copy of
the waiver.
Your primary purpose for changing status in the USA must be to become a full-time
student at UCSD.

Required Documentation
Please submit the following documents plus one copy of the entire package to the International
Center. Allow 10 working days for processing your request.
Personal letter (typed) explaining why you want to change your status. Include
information about why you entered the USA in your current status, why and how your
intentions changed once in the USA, and any other relevant information. Since F-1 is a
nonimmigrant status, it is advisable that you include information relating to your plans to
return home after completing your studies, including any ties to your home country.
I-20 Request form (available at http://istudents.ucsd.edu/students/forms.html). Make
sure you include your permanent address in your home country.
Proof of admission to UCSD or, if current UCSD student, copy of your unofficial
transcript or academic history from TritonLink.
I-539 form (available at www.uscis.gov).
Check for US$290 made payable to US Department of Homeland Security.
Receipt confirming payment of the SEVIS fee (Form I-901). For payment instructions,
go to www.fmjfee.com.
Original I-94 card.
Copy of passport bio page(s) that includes picture and expiration date.
Copy of visa page in passport.
Copy of bank statement or financial sponsorship letter in English from student
and/or financial sponsor. Include conversion to US dollars from home currency (available
at www.oanda.com). USCIS requires that bank statements show sufficient funds to cover
expenses on the I-20 and the funds must show that balance over a three month period
(e.g., provide bank statements for the last 3 months).
NOTE: Include Form I-134 Affidavit of Financial Support (available at www.uscis.gov)
if financial sponsor is parent, relative, or family friend. In addition, if financial sponsor is a
immediate family member, please include legal documentation showing the relationship
such as birth certificate (parents) or marriage certificate (spouse) with English translation.
Not required if you or your academic department or home government entity are
financially sponsoring your stay in the USA.
Additional Documents Required
Depending on your current immigration status, you may be required to submit additional
documentation with your application.

Changing from A status

Copies of all forms I-797 showing dates of status. If you are a dependent (A-2), copies of
form I-797, passport bio page, visa, and I-94 of principal. Note: You may begin/continue
your studies while the change of status application is pending. In addition, you must
complete Form I-566 with Office of Protocol at the Department of State, and then file a
change of status with USCIS.

Changing from E or L status

Copies of all forms I-797 showing dates of status. If you are a dependent (E-2 or L-2),
copies of form I-797, passport bio page, visa, and I-94 of principal. Note: You may
begin/continue your studies while the change of status application is pending.

Changing from F-2 status

Copies of all I-20 forms for both F-1 and F-2, passport bio page, visa, I-94, and

International Center | University of California San Diego | La Jolla, CA 92093-0018 USA | Tel: 858-534-3730 | Fax: 858-534-0909 | istudents@ucsd.edu | http://istudents.ucsd.edu

transcripts (or academic history) of F-1 (and, if currently on OPT, copy of EAD card).
Note: You may not begin full time studies until F-1 status is approved.

Changing from H status

Copies of all forms I-797 showing dates of status, evidence that H-1B maintained status
(e.g., letter from employer confirming employment or 3 recent paystubs). If you are a
dependent (H-4), copies of form I-797, passport bio page, visa, and I-94 of principal.
Note: You may begin/continue your studies while the change of status application is
pending. If you are an H-1B, you may not work after the change of status is effective.

Changing from J status

Copies of all forms DS-2019. If dependent (J-2), copies of passport bio page, visa, I-94 of
principal. Copy of waiver recommendation or approval (Note: J-1 exchange visitors and
their families who are subject to 212(e), the two year home residence requirement,
cannot apply for a change of status to F-1 without a recommendation for a waiver.) You
may begin/continue your studies while the change of status application is pending.

Sending Your Change of Status Application to USCIS

Mail your application packet to USCIS at least two weeks before the expiration of your current
I-94 to make sure that they receive it before the end of your current status.
Pending Adjudication
You will receive an I-797 receipt notice within one month of mailing your application. Please keep
your receipt in a safe place and provide a copy of this receipt to the International Center.
Processing times vary at each service center. Check the USCIS web site for current processing
times (https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/processTimesDisplayInit.do) and the status of your application
(https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/caseStatusSearchDisplay.do). While your change of status application
is pending with USCIS, you may remain in the USA waiting for approval. However, you should be
prepared to take immediate action just in case your application is not approved. In some cases,
this may include travel to your home country in order to apply for an F-1 visa. If you receive a
Request for Further Evidence (RFE) from USCIS, consult with an international student advisor
immediately. While waiting for the adjudication of your application, please note the following:
Travel
Do not depart the USA while your change of status application is pending. USCIS may
view your departure as abandoning the application and may be automatically terminated.
If USCIS cancels your application, you will need to apply for an F-1 student visa at a US
embassy or consulate outside of the USA to reenter.
Study
In general, students may enroll full-time with a pending change of status application. In
fact, in some cases it is required that you behave like a student as you transition to
becoming one. Speak with your International Student Advisor as you make the transition
from your previous status about whether you should enroll full-time or wait.
B-1s, B-2s, B-1/B-2s, WTs, WBs, and/or F-2s changing their status to F-1 MAY NOT
enroll full-time until their change of status is approved by USCIS. B-1/B-2s or F-2s
enrolling in a full-time program before approval may jeopardize their change of status
application. You must provide a copy of your approval notice to the International Center
before the first day of the next quarter. Failure to obtain F-1 student status and to notify
the International Center of your approval may affect your ability to continue at UCSD.
Work
You may not begin an assistantship or engage in approved on or off campus student
employment of any kind until your change of status to F-1 has been approved.

International Center | University of California San Diego | La Jolla, CA 92093-0018 USA | Tel: 858-534-3730 | Fax: 858-534-0909 | istudents@ucsd.edu | http://istudents.ucsd.edu

Tuition
Once you apply for a change of status to F-1, the Registrars Office will review your
residency status. Questions regarding nonresident tuition may be directed to
residencedeputy@ucsd.edu
Immigrant applications
When applying for a change of status to F-1 student, you are notifying USCIS that you
have the nonimmigrant intent of returning to your home country after completing your
program of study in the USA. Concurrent applications for adjustment of status to
permanent residency (Form I-485) or immigrant petitions (Form I-130 or I-140), even if
you are not the primary applicant, may conflict with your stated nonimmigrant intent and
may cause denial of your change of status application. Please consult an experienced
immigration attorney before filing for permanent residency or change of status to F-1
student status.
Change of Status Approval
When your change of status is approved, you will be issued an I-797 Approval Notice with an
attached I-94. Make a copy and submit it to the International Center and UCSD Residency
Deputy in the Registrars Office. Make sure you visit the International Center to complete the
SEVIS registration process. Failure to complete the SEVIS registration process in a timely
fashion will negatively affect your newly obtained F-1 student status in the USA. All international
students are also required to attend an orientation session. Failure to attend orientation may
prevent you from registering for classes.
If you travel outside of the USA after your change of status is approved, you will need to obtain an
F-1 visa stamp from an American Consulate abroad (Canadian citizens are exempt). Changing
your status to F-1 while in the USA does not include an F-1 visa for reentry into the USA. Please
consult with an International Student Advisor to discuss your travel plans prior to departure.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
Remaining in the USA with a Pending USCIS Application
If you are in lawful status and decide to change your status to F-1 student by submitting an
application to USCIS, you remain in lawful status until you receive your reply from the USCIS.
However, you do not have privileges of student status (on campus work authorization, eligibility
for curricular or optional practical training, etc.) until the change of status is approved.
If you are currently in a status which allows enrollment as a full time student, as long as you are
complying with the requirements of your current visa, you may continue to use that visa, but you
are not eligible for benefits associated with the F-1 student status such as on campus
employment and practical training.
Visa Application in a Third Country
If you apply for a visa outside of the USA, it may be possible to go to a third country (Mexico or
Canada), but it is always best to apply in your home country. If the visa is denied, it is unlikely
you would be able to reenter the USA. However, if you have overstayed your previous visa, you
must apply for a new F-1 visa in your home country; you cannot apply in a third country. If you
overstayed your visa for more than 180 days, you may be prevented from returning to the USA
for 3 years or more. Contact an immigration attorney for advice if you might be subject to
unlawful presence laws.
UCSD Tuition and Fees
If you are currently in a status that allows you to pay resident tuition, once you submit an
application to change your status to F-1, the Residence Deputy will reassess your eligibility for
resident tuition payments. Please meet with the Residency Deputy in the Registrars Office to
discuss how a change of status to F-1 will impact your tuition and fees for upcoming academic
terms.
International Center | University of California San Diego | La Jolla, CA 92093-0018 USA | Tel: 858-534-3730 | Fax: 858-534-0909 | istudents@ucsd.edu | http://istudents.ucsd.edu

Reminders
Contact the International Center if you:
Do not receive a receipt notice from USCIS within one month.
Receive a Request for Further Evidence (RFE) from USCIS.
Do not receive an adjudication within 6 months.
Receive an approval or denial of your change of status application.
QUESTIONS
Please contact the International Center at (858) 534-3730 or istudents@ucsd.edu if you have
questions or need further information.

****IMPORTANT NOTE****
Change of status applications are the responsibility of the applicant. The
UCSD International Student Office provides this information as a courtesy
and recommends that anyone with complex immigration issues consult a
competent immigration attorney before proceeding.

(IC:201011)

International Center | University of California San Diego | La Jolla, CA 92093-0018 USA | Tel: 858-534-3730 | Fax: 858-534-0909 | istudents@ucsd.edu | http://istudents.ucsd.edu