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Student & Scholar Services »Change of Status From B-2 to F-2


A change of non-immigrant status from B-2 to F-2 may be requested when the applicant is in possession of a valid Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure card in passport) and has been in the U.S. for more than 90 days, and whose spouse is in valid F-1 status. Consultation with the International Student Advisor is recommended in order for the passport and Form I-94 to be reviewed to confirm eligibility.

Upon confirmation of eligibility, the documents which need to be submitted to USCIS to apply for a change to F-2 status are:

  1. Form I-539, application for change of non-immigrant status
  2. New I-20 for spouse showing additional living expenses for dependent(s).
  3. Copy of both sides of Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure card in passport).
  4. Check or money order for $200.00 payable to INS.
  5. Evidence of financial support. It is necessary to show that the couple has sufficient funds to support their stay in the U.S. A bank letter or a notarized Form I-134, Affidavit of Support, may be used to illustrate availability of funds.
  6. Marriage certificate. If this is in a foreign language, an English translation must be attached.
  7. Copy of Passport Identity Pages of both spouses, showing expiration date.
  8. Copy of visa of both spouses.
  9. Additional documentation as recommended by the International Student Advisor.
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 USCIS 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 IF YOU LEAVE THE U.S. AND INTEND TO REENTER IN F-2 STATUS, YOU MUST REQUEST AN F-2 VISA AT THE U.S. CONSULATE BEFORE YOU RETURN.

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