Changing to F-1 Status

Applications to change to F-1 status may be filed by matriculating international students who are residing in the U.S. in a qualifying nonimmigrant status. All other students must apply for a visa stamp abroad.

Applicants for change of status should not travel abroad after their application is filed.

Matriculating students in F-2, M-2 or B status may not begin studies at the University of Virginia until their application to change status is approved. The ISO recommends that students attempt to change from B to F-1 status only as a last resort. Students visiting the U.S. as Canadian visitors or on the visa waiver program are not eligible to change status in the U.S. Students in other nonimmigrant classifications who plan to change to F-1 status to attend UVA must apply to do so before beginning their studies.

F-1 status may not commence until 30 days before the start date on Form I-20. Matriculating students must ensure that they maintain their current nonimmigrant status until within 30 days of the start date on Form I-20. Note that any student wishing to work at the University pursuant to F-1 status must have an approved application to change to F-1 status before beginning employment.

Applications to change to F-1 status may be submitted to the USCIS up to six months in advance of the start date on Form I-20, but may not be approved by the USCIS until 120 days or less before the start date. Any dependent family members who wish to remain in the U.S. in a dependent status must submit applications to change to F-2 status.

To apply to change to F-1 status, you must prepare the following:

1. Cover letter that includes the following:

1) provides detail about your current maintenance of status and the intent of your most recent entry into the U.S.;
2) requests a change to F-1 status; and
3) summarizes all materials that you are submitting.

Note that the intent of your most recent entry into the U.S. must be consistent with the type of entry (e.g. if you entered in H-1B status, you must have returned to H-1B employment or if you entered in B status, you must demonstrate that you intended to visit the U.S. on a temporary basis).

2. Complete Form I-539, which may be found on the USCIS website.

3. Original Form I-20 provided to you by UVA (be sure to sign your I-20 before submitting it).

4. Receipt confirming payment of the SEVIS fee.

5. Copies of financial documents demonstrating that you can cover the cost of attending UVA (see Form I-20 for the financial figures).

6. Photocopies of your current Form I-94 (front and back), the identification page from your passport (and any validity amendments) and all documentation of your previous immigration history in the U.S. (e.g. Forms I-797, I-20, DS-2019). Note that the instructions to Form I-539 request that you submit your original I-94 card. As your I-94 card documents your valid status in the U.S., USCIS has historically accepted a photocopy instead of an original.

8. Documentation that you continue to maintain your current immigration status (e.g. photocopies of pay statements for H-1B or L-1 nonimmigrants).

9. Check made out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (visit the USCIS website to confirm the filing fee).

Once all materials are assembled, you should make a complete photocopy of the package and send it by courier to the appropriate USCIS service center. Visit the USCIS website to confirm that you should file with the service center having juristiction over your current place of residence.

The U.S. postal service will not forward USCIS correspondence to a new address.  If you change your residential address, you must visit www.uscis.gov to change your address online and provide your application receipt number (see the Form AR-11 page on the USCIS website).

Students in A or G status should contact the ISO to confirm eligibility to change to F-1 status. Individuals who have held J-1 status may not be eligible to change to F-1 status and should contact the ISO.