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In general, there are two ways to change to F-1 status:
F-2, M-2 or B-1/B-2 visa holders may not begin studies at SF State until their application to change status is approved. |
Instruction to Change Status to F-1 by Travel:
You must request an initial attendance I-20 by speaking to an International Student Advisor at OIP. You are required to take the following steps to guarantee your F-1 student status:
- Use the new SEVIS ID number to pay the mandatory SEVIS Fee: If you are applying for a new visa, you will need to bring the SEVIS Fee receipt to the interview. When you re-enter the U.S., please keep your SEVIS Fee receipt with you, as the Immigration Service at your U.S. port-of-entry may ask to see it. For more information about the Fee, please review our website's SEVIS Fee section
- Speak with an International Student Advisor at OIP immediately upon your return to the U.S.: Bring your I-94, passport, and 鈥渋nitial attendance鈥 I-20 stamped by an immigration official at the U.S. Port of Entry with you. We will register you in SEVIS as a continuing international student. Failure to report to OIP may result in the termination of your F-1 student status
- You may not enter the U.S. any earlier than 30 days before the start date on your I-20 (see item #5)
- You may also be subject to special entry & exit requirements under the U.S. VISIT program: As a result of increased security measures, you may be fingerprinted and photographed each time you enter the U.S.
Instruction to Change Status to F-1 by Mail
The following instructions will be helpful for SF State students who wish to apply for a change of status
from another type of visa (
A & G,
B-1/B-2, E, F-2,
H-1B
, H-4,
J-1/J-2, L, visa, etc.) to an F-1 student visa.
To Apply for Change of Status:
Step 1
Please schedule a 30-minute appointment to meet with an advisor
AFTER you have ALL of the following documents. Do not come to drop-in advising hours.
- Completed & signed Form I-539 On Part 3, Question #1, please write "D/S." OIP discourages student to submit Change of Status application via e-file.
- Passport and original I-94
- Photocopies of your current visa stamp and biographical page of your passport or photocopies of your current immigration document showing USCIS approval of your status
- Dependent(s): If your application involves dependents (spouse/children), please also include copies of their passport biographical and visa pages, original I-94, and proof of their relationship to you (marriage certificate, birth certificates of children)
- Original proof of financial support (No monthly bank statement) from you or your sponsor(s). The proof must be less than 6 months old. If your evidence appears weak, USCIS may return your application without processing it and request an I-134, "Affidavit of Support". This form can only be prepared by U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents/immigrants. Questions about funding should be directed to the International Student Advisor before submission of materials.
- Sponsor鈥檚 letters (if any)
- Letter of explanation.The letter should be written by you and should be addressed to the USCIS requesting the change of status and explaining your circumstances. Include why (and the date) you entered the U.S. in your current status, why and how your intentions changed after your arrival in the U.S., the reasons why you have now decided to apply for a change to F-1 student status, and any other important information. Your letter should be written in as much detail as possible as this will be your only opportunity to explain your situation to the USCIS. See sample letter
An advisor will review all the documents you are going to submit to USCIS during the appointment and let you know if there is anything missing. You will need to leave all the documents (except your passport) with the advisor after the appointment.
Step 2
A Change of Status Requested I-20 will be issued to you.
You need to pick the application package (including I-20) within 5 business days (or follow advisor鈥檚 instruction).
Submit the following application materials by certified mail to: USCIS, P.O. Box 660166, Dallas, TX 75266.
For Express mail and courier deliveries: USCIS, ATTN: I-539, 2501 S. State Highway 121, Business Suite 400, Lewisville, TX 75067
- Completed and signed Form I-539
- Money order or check in the amount of $290.00 payable to U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If you are submitting a personal check, your name and address must be printed on the check by your bank. USCIS will not accept temporary checks that are issued while you are waiting for your final checks.
- I-20
- The original I-94. This white card can be found in your passport. Do not send photocopy.
- Photocopies of your current visa stamp and biographical page of your passport or photocopies of your current immigration document showing USCIS approval of your status
- Original proof of financial support (No monthly bank statement) from you or your sponsor(s).
- Sponsor鈥檚 letters (if any)
- Dependent(s): If your application involves dependents (spouse/children), please also include copies of their passport biographical and visa pages, original I-94, and proof of their relationship to you (marriage certificate, birth certificates of children)
- Letter of explanation
- SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt. Pay SEVIS fee and print receipt online at
https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/
after you pick up the I-20.
See also:
F-1 Services > New Students > Visa and Immigration > SEVIS Fee
For your convenience, OIP will provide a pre-addressed envelope containing all of the documents
that you need to send to the USCIS. OIP recommends you to make copies of the application package for yourself before you send it. OIP also recommends you to send the package by certified mail and request a return receipt.
To request the service of "certified mail, return receipt" at the post office requires additional fees.
Step 3
After approval, the USCIS California Service Center will issue you a new, original I-94 with the F-1 designation
which will note "D/S", which means that the F-1's status is valid for the one degree program plus any authorized
period(s) of practical training plus 60 days. You will also receive the I-20 with an approval stamp on it.
You must submit photocopies of your I-20 with approval stamp, the front and back of the I-94 card to oip by fax (fax number: 415.338.6234) or via e-mail at oip@sfsu.edu within 30 days of the approval date. OIP will update our records to reflect your new status. Failure to report to OIP may result in the termination of your F-1 student status.
Subsequent foreign travel means that a visit to the American Embassy/Consulate is necessary to obtain the
appropriate visa before re-entry to the US.
Visit F-1 Services > New Students > Visa and Immigration > How to Apply for an F-1 Visa for information about how to apply for an F-1 student visa.
Special Notes for B-1/B-2 Visa Holders
Individuals who entered the U.S. in B-1/B-2 status on or after April 12, 2002 will not be allowed to begin attending school until the Immigration Service has approved of their change of status to F-1 or M-1.In addition, individuals who entered the U.S. in B-1/B-2 status on or after April 12, 2002 are required to tell the immigration USCIS inspector at their U.S. port-of-entry of their plans to attend school in the U.S. The immigration USCIS inspector at the U.S. port-of-entry will then make a special "prospective student" notation on either the individual's I-94 card or visa stamp.
Individuals who do not inform the immigration inspector at their U.S. port-of-entry of their intent to study and who therefore do not have a "prospective student" notation on their I-94 card or U.S. visa stamp may not be able to change their status to that of an F-1 student from within the U.S. Instead, they may be required to take the SFSU I-20 form and return to their home country and apply for an F-1 student visa at the nearest U.S. consulate/embassy.
