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Student & Scholar Services »Change of Status From F-2 to F-1

A change of non-immigrant status from F-2 to F-1 may be requested when the principal F-1 (spouse of the F-2) will be completing his/her academic program and departing from the US, and/or when the F-2 has been admitted to an academic degree program, intends to be a full-time student, and could benefit academically from being eligible to accept academic appointments such as teaching or research assistantships related to his/her academic field of study.

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.
Check for $200.00 made out to USCIS.
SEVIS I-20
Copies of both sides of F-1 spouse's I-94 and SEVIS I-20.
Copy of both sides of applicant's I-94 card (Arrival/departure card in passport.)
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.
Passport identity page, showing date of expiration.
Copy of Visa of both applicant and F-1 spouse.
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 USCIS Texas Service Center for adjudication. Processing will take a minimum of three months and student will be notified when the 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.

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