Changing to F-1 Status

If you wish to acquire F-1 status by re-entry to the U.S., please review the following steps:

1. Request an I-20 immigration document from the ISC by completing the I-20 Initial SEVIS Request Form. You will need to upload a completed Financial Statement Form and proof of funding. Meeting with an ISC Advisor is required before submitting the I-20 request.
2. After receiving the I-20, pay the I-901 SEVIS fee and keep a copy of the payment receipt.
3. Apply for F-1 student visa.
4. Re-enter the U.S. before your Program Start Date with F-1 visa and I-20. The earliest you may re-enter the U.S. is 30 days before the I-20 Program Start Date.

After arriving in the U.S., you will need to:

1. Email the I-94 showing your most recent entry in F-1 status and copy of your F-1 visa to the ISC by the first week of classes.
2. Satisfy the Health Insurance requirement before the first day of classes. This can be done before re-entry to the U.S.
3. Complete the ISC’s required Online F-1 Immigration Module by the deadline indicated. Generally, the Fall semester Module is available in mid-July and the Spring semester Module is available in mid-December. This can be done before re-entry to the U.S.
4. Follow the rules for your new F-1 status. Read the ISC’s F-1 Students webpage for additional information on your new F-1 status. This can be done before re-entry to the U.S.
5. Ask the ISC if you have any questions during your F-1 status.

If you wish to acquire F-1 status by remaining in the U.S. and filing an application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), please review the following information:

1. You must be in status and eligible for F-1 status at the time you apply and remain eligible for F-1 status at the time the application would be approved.
2. Filing the change of status application with USCIS does not automatically grant you F-1 status. Once USCIS approves your application, you will be in F-1 status.
3. An approved change of status in the U.S. only gives you F-1 status if you remain in the U.S. Once you depart the U.S. you must apply for the F-1 visa if you wish to re-enter in F-1 status.
4. Getting approval for a change to F-1 status in the U.S. does not guarantee that you will obtain the F-1 visa if you depart the U.S. and apply for the visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
5. The USCIS Processing Time for regular processing of Form I-539 varies and can be checked on the USCIS Processing times webpage. Applicants have the option to pay an additional fee for Premium Processing, which guarantees a decision on your application within 30 business days.

Here are the general steps for filing an application to change to F-1 status: 

1. Request an I-20 immigration document from the ISC by completing the Change of Status in U.S. I-20 Request Form. You will need to upload a completed Financial Statement Form and proof of funding. Meeting with an ISC Advisor is required before submitting the I-20 request.
2. After receiving the I-20, pay the I-901 SEVIS fee and keep a copy of the payment receipt.
3. File Form I-539 with USCIS, upload required documents, and pay the $420 for online filing before your current status expires. 
4. Optional: Pay the additional fee for Premium Processing (Form I-907), which is currently $1,965 for online filing.
5. An I-797 receipt notice from USCIS will be generated, confirming that Form I-539 was filed. You will find the receipt notice in the Documents section of your online application, and USCIS will also mail it to you.

To complete your transition to F-1 status, after you receive the I-797A Notice of Action (Approval Notice), please do the following:

1. Email the I-797A to the ISC.
2. Satisfy the Health Insurance requirement for the upcoming semester. If the date of approval falls within a semester, you must also satisfy the health insurance requirement for the current semester.
3. Complete the ISC’s required Online F-1 Immigration Module by the deadline indicated. Generally, the Fall semester Module is available in mid-July and the Spring semester Module is available in mid-December. If the date of approval falls within a semester, you must complete the Module immediately.
4. Follow the rules for your new F-1 status. Read the ISC’s F-1 Students webpage for additional information on your new F-1 status.
5. Ask the ISC if you have any questions during your F-1 status.

• The F-1 visa allows you to enter the U.S. to obtain F-1 status, and also allows you to travel and re-enter the U.S. through the visa expiration date–as long as you maintain legal F-1 status.
• For some, this option may be faster and less expensive than applying to change status in the U.S.

• The F-1 visa application must be done outside the U.S.
• Consider the cost of the flight and/or lodging while outside the U.S.
• Appointment availability at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate may not allow enough time for you to receive the F-1 visa stamp and re-enter the U.S. by the first day of the semester.
• You must receive the F-1 visa stamp in order to re-enter the U.S. 
• You cannot re-enter the U.S. with the F-1 visa more than 30 days before the Start Date on your I-20 immigration document.
• It is always the decision of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent at the Port of Entry to allow a person to enter the U.S.
• You will need to complete two semesters in lawful F-1 status before being eligible for Practical Training work authorization (Curricular Practical Training and Optional Practical Training).

• If you depart the U.S. while the change of status application is pending, USCIS will consider the application as abandoned, which will cancel it.
• If you depart the U.S. after acquiring F-1 status and have not finished your degree program or Optional Practical Training, you will need to apply for and obtain an F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in order to re-enter the U.S. to complete your program or OPT.

Certain immigrant and non-immigrant dependent statuses expire when the dependent reaches the age of 21, which is known as aging out. These dependents must change to F-1 status to study in the U.S. Some of the most common categories include: E1, E2, H4, L2, and TD.

All students in F-1 status must pay Non-Resident Tuition and Fees. If the change to F-1 status occurs on any day during a semester, the Non-Resident Tuition and Fees will be added to your charges for that semester, even if it's near the end of the semester or after the semester ends.

All students in F-1 status must be enrolled full-time and/or be authorized for a Reduced Course Load. If the change to F-1 status occurs during a semester, you will still be required to meet the full-time enrollment requirement or be authorized for a Reduced Course Load for that semester.

If F-1 status is acquired by Travel and Re-entry, you must complete two semesters of full-time enrollment in F-1 status and/or be authorized for a Reduced Course Load in F-1 status before being eligible to participate in an off-campus employment or internship. 

If F-1 status is acquired by Changing Status in the U.S., you will be eligible to participate in an off-campus employment or internship after completing two semesters of full-time study in F-1 status or if you attended a SEVIS-approved institute of higher education (including SDSU) full-time for the 9 months prior to filing the change of status application, in any lawful status.

All F-1 students must request and receive Practical Training work authorization to participate in an off-campus employment or internship, whether paid or unpaid. For more information, visit the F-1 Employment webpage.