If you are already in the U.S. and are interested in changing your visa status to F-1/J-1 or F-2/J-2, the ISSS office can guide you through this process. There are two options for obtaining a change of status:
- Apply inside the U.S. for a Change of Status
- Leave the U.S. and Re-enter with a New Visa Status
Option 1: Apply inside the U.S. for a change of Status
This option requires adjudication from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) government agency. The application process can take up to 9-12 months or even longer. Current processing times can be found by going to the USCIS website.
Option 2: Leave the U.S. and re-enter with a new visa status
This option requires you to depart the U.S., apply for an F/J visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and re-enter with your new visa. If you are a newly accepted student, who has not attended SMU before, and would like to study at our university for a future semester, you would need to apply for an I-20 through the Central Admissions Office. However, if you are a current student at SMU and would like to pursue this option, you will need to submit the following documents:
- Change of Status Re-Entry Request Form
- Financial Documentation (i.e. bank statement/letter), dated within the last 6 months
- Copy of Passport
- Letter from Academic Advisor
- Copy of Flight Itinerary or Departure Plan
Note: Please note that all students wanting to change status will need to speak to an international student advisor/DSO before any I-20s can be issued, with the exception of new students traveling to get an F/J visa. Please join us during walk-in advising hours to speak to an international student advisor/DSO.
Additional Documents Required by Visa Type
F1 to F2
- Copy of previous I-20, listed as an F1
- Official transcripts
- Copy of primary visa holder’s documents (passport, visa, I-94, I-20)
- Primary visa holder’s official transcripts and letter of good academic standing from academic advisor
Note: You will be required to maintain your F1 status until your application is approved. Until approved, all enrollment and employment must cease immediately.
F2 to F1
- Copy of previous I-20, listed as F2
- Copy of primary visa holder’s documents (passport, visa, I-94, I-20)
- Primary visa holder’s official transcripts and letter of good academic standing from academic advisor
Note: As an F2 status holder, you are allowed to enroll on a part-time basis. Any part-time enrollment must be approved by academic department prior to enrolling.
H4 to F1
- Copy of H4 Approval Notice and/or H4 visa
- Copy of H1’s immigration documents (approval notice, visa, passport, etc.)
- Employment letter from H-1 sponsor
- Official transcripts (only if already enrolled)
Note: You must maintain your immigration status until your application is approved. You must be enrolled full-time when your application is approved.
H1 to F1
- Copy of H-1 immigration documents (approval notice, visa, passport, etc.)
- Employment letter from H-1 sponsor
- Official transcripts (only if already enrolled)
Note: You must maintain your immigration status until your application is approved. You must be enrolled full-time when your application is approved.
J1/J2 to F1
- Official transcripts, if enrolled
- Copy of waiver if subject to 212(e)
- If a J-2, please include a copy of J-1 immigration documents
Note: You must maintain your immigration status until your application is approved.
F1 to J1
- Official transcripts, if enrolled
- Copy of primary visa holder’s documents (passport, visa, I-94, I-20)
Note: You must maintain your F-1 immigration status until your application is approved.
E or L to F1
- If a dependent, provide a copy of primary visa holder’s documents (passport, visa, I-94, and letter of employment)
CHANGE OF STATUS OR RE-ENTRY
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CHANGE OF STATUS WITH USCIS
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RE-ENTRY WITH NEW I20
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APPROXIMATE COST
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Current filing fees can be found at: USCIS website: https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees
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- Plane ticket
- Possible visa application fees
- SEVIS fee
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PROCESSING TIME
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9-12 months
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- If student needs a new visa, you need to check U.S. Embassy for visa processing times. If applicant does not need a new visa, and depends on travel destination, this can take less than a week.
- While you may travel to Canada or Mexico to obtain a new F-1 visa, this process can be complicated as a third country national applicant.
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TAKING CLASSES
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- B-1/B-2 cannot study until COS is approved
- F-2 dependents can study on a part-time basis
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You must be enrolled in classes. If your departure causes delays, you are responsible for contacting all offices at SMU regarding a possible withdrawal request. Please note, there will be no refunds.
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EMPLOYMENT
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- You are not eligible to work until your change of status application is approved.
- Students who apply for a change of status within the U.S., may be eligible to apply for OPT work authorization if they have accrued one academic year of full-time enrollment, including time under prior visa status.
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- You can begin on-campus employment upon admissions to the U.S. on your student visa.
- You must accrue one academic year of full-time enrolment under the program listed on your SEVIS I20 document before you are eligible for CPT or OPT work authorization.
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OTHER
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J-1 visa holders that are subject to the two-year home residency requirement are not eligible to change their status within the U.S.
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If you are denied a student visa in a U.S. Embassy located in Canada or Mexico as a third country national, you will need to return to your home country to re-apply for a new visa.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Q: May I begin attending classes before my application has been approved?
A: All applicants may be able to begin attending class after their change of status application has been submitted to USCIS and while waiting for approval, except for individuals who have entered the United States on a B-1/B-2 visa. Also, individuals who have entered with a WT or WB visa waiver from a waiver country are not eligible to begin attending classes. F-2 visa holders are eligible to enroll on a part-time basis only. It is strongly recommended that all other visa holders consult with an immigration attorney to verify their eligibility to enroll in classes while their change of status is pending.
Q: May I begin campus employment such as an assistantship while waiting for the change of status approval?
A: No. If eligible (see above), you may only attend classes while your application is pending. Any stipend that expects services such as teaching, or research requires work authorization. Therefore, students must wait for their F1 visa status to be adjudicated to request work authorization from the ISSS office.
Q: What happens if my application is denied?
A: If the application is denied, students may be required to leave the U.S. on short notice, interrupting their program of study at an inconvenient or academically disadvantageous time. We recommend students consult with their immigration attorney if an application for change of status is denied.
Q: Can I travel while my application for change of status is pending?
A: No. Leaving the U.S. while an application for change of status is pending is considered an abandonment of petition. Contact your international student advisor/DSO for for your options if you must travel out of the U.S. during this period.
Remember: When you change your status in the United States, your visa in your passport does not change. Visas may only be obtained outside the United Status at a U.S. embassy or consulate. For example: If your status is changed to F-2 and you depart the United States, you must obtain an F-2 visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United States before re-entering the United States.
Forms
Change of Status by Mail I-20 Request (please book an appointment with advisor to get form)
Change Status by Travel I-20/DS-2019 Request (Current Students Only)