Change of Status to F-1

ACC students in the U.S. with a valid non F-1 visa may be eligible to apply for a change of status to F-1.

Change of Status requests are handled on a case by case basis. You can request a Change of Status at the time of application or anytime during your enrollment at ACC. There are two ways to change your immigration status to F-1:

In-Country Change of Status with USCIS

Receive a Form I-20 with form issue reason “Change of Status” and apply for the change of status in the U.S. with USCIS using the Form I-539.

• USCIS Processing Times can vary. Students are encouraged to apply for a Change of Status I-20 at least 6 months before their current immigration status expires.
• You must maintain a valid nonimmigrant status while the Form I-539 change of status application is pending with USCIS.
• Students in an eligible immigration status that permits academic study may continue being enrolled while the change of status petition is being adjudicated by USCIS.
• Students on the B-1/B-2 visa are not eligible for academic study until after the F-1 status is approved by USCIS.
• If USCIS has not approved your change of status at least 15 days before the I-20 Program Start Date, you must contact ISO to defer the I-20 start date to the next semester. SEVIS may automatically cancel your record if the start date is not deferred.

After USCIS F-1 Approval

• Attend mandatory F-1 Student Immigration Check-in and Orientation.
• New F-1 students are required to enroll full-time in the semester for which the Form I-20 is issued, or the next available semester (including summer) if it is too late to enroll in the USCIS approved semester. Full-time enrollment includes at least 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester thereafter.
• Email the following documents to ISO ([email protected]) within 10 days:
  • USCIS I-797 Approval Notice
  • Change of Status F-1 Approval Form

Travel and Reentry

Receive a Form I-20 with form issue reason “Initial” and apply for an F-1 visa at a United States embassy outside the US.

1. Visit the Department of State website for more information on applying for a student visa.
2. If you do not apply for an F-1 visa outside the US by the I-20 Program Start Date your I-20 and SEVIS record will be cancelled.

NOTICE: DO NOT file the Change of Status request with USCIS until after you have received the Change of Status I-20 from our office. If you do so, your request will be denied.

How to Change Visa Status to F-1 in the United States

You may apply to change your status in the United States if you:

• Were lawfully admitted into the United States as a nonimmigrant.
• You have not committed any act that would make you ineligible to receive an immigration benefit.
• There is no other factor that requires you to depart the United States prior to making a reentry based on a different classification (for example, a USCIS officer may determine that you should obtain a new visa prior to being readmitted into the United States).
• You submit an application for a change of status by mail or you can file online with USCIS for a change of status before the expiration date as shown on your Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record.
• Your passport must be valid for your entire requested period of stay in the new nonimmigrant classification in the United States.

You may not apply to change your nonimmigrant status to F-1 if you were admitted to the United States in the following categories:

• Visa Waiver Program (WT or WB)
• Crew member (D visa)
• In transit through the United States (C visa)
• Fiancé of a U.S. citizen or dependent of a fiancé (K visas)
• Informant (and accompanying family) on terrorism or organized crime (S visa)
• J-1 Exchange Visitor subject to the 2-year foreign residence requirement 212(e) cannot change status, with certain exceptions

You may not apply to change your nonimmigrant status to F-1 if you have the following status:

• Undocumented
• Temporary Protective Status
• Pending status including refugee, asylum, or parolee

For more information on the Change of Status process to F-1 visit these website:

• Changing to a Nonimmigrant F or M Student Status
• Change My Nonimmigrant Status
• Study in the States Change of Status
• B-1/B-2 Visitors Who Want to Enroll in School

Access the Change of Status Request Form on the International Student Forms website.