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CHANGE OF STATUS FROM H-1 TO F-1
A change of non-immigrant status from H-1 to F-1 may be requested when the applicant makes the decision to discontinue temporary employment and to resume full-time student status.
The documents which need to be submitted to INS to apply for a change to F-1 status are:
Form I-539, application for change of non-immigrant status.
Form I-20AB with item 11 completed by the student.
Copy of front and back of Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure card in passport). If dependents are in the U.S. as H-4\'s, please attach copies of front and back of their I-94 cards. Dependents in H-4 status do not need to file a separate application to change to F-2, but an addendum to the form I-539 must list the dependents.
A copy of the I-797 (or I-171c), Approval Notice of the H-1 Petition.
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, plus the living expenses of his F-2 dependents, and an indication that the funds will be available for subsequent years.
Letter from the employer indicating the reason and date of departure from employment. Please note that the INS allows only 10 days from leaving employment to either file an application to INS or to leave the U.S. If the 10 day period has already lapsed, a change to F-1 status can only be accomplished by leaving the U.S., applying for an F-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate and returning as an F-1 student.
Check or money order for $120.00, payable to INS.
Passport identity pages of student and dependents, showing expiration date.
Copies of visa of student and dependents.
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.
