A change of non-immigrant status from B-2 to F-1 may be requested when the applicant is in possession of a valid Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure card in the passport) and has been accepted for admission to UTA, and has been in the U.S. for more than 90 days. Change of status from B-2 to F-1 is possible before 90 days only if the visa officer has indicated "Prospective Student" on the B-2 visa. Consultation with the International Student Advisor is recommended to verify eligibility.
Upon confirmation of eligibility, the documents which need to be submitted to USCIS to apply for a change to F-1 status are:
-
Form I-539, application for change of non-immigrant status.
- SEVIS I-20, which the Office of International Education will create.
- Copy of both sides of Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure card in passport). If dependents are in the U.S., please attach copies of both sides of their I-94(s). Dependents in B-2 status do not need to file a separate application, but they must be noted on addendum sheet of Form I-539.
- Check or money order for $200.00, payable to USCIS.
- Evidence of financial support. It is necessary to show that the applicant has sufficient funds to support his/her studies for at least the first year and to show source of income for subsequent years. A bank letter may be used to illustrate availability of funds for the first year; a notarized Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, may be used to show future support.
- Copy of Passport Identity Page, which indicates expiration date of passport.
- Copy of Visa.
- Receipt confirming payment of $100 SEVIS fee.
Please bring all of the above documents to the Office of International
Education. The International Student Advisor will review the application
and forward the request to the U.S. CIS Texas Service Center for adjudication.
Processing will take a minimum of two months and students will be notified
when their documents have been returned.
PLEASE NOTE THAT ON-CAMPUS EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY BEGINS UPON RECEIPT OF THE APPROVED CHANGE OF STATUS. IF YOU LEAVE THE U.S. AND INTEND TO REENTER IN F-1 STATUS, YOU MUST REQUEST AN F-1 VISA AT A U.S. CONSULATE OR EMBASSY BEFORE YOU RETURN.