Change of Status (to F-1 or J-1)
Office of International Education

Restrictions on Changing to F-1 Status

Nonimmigrants in the following statuses are not eligible to change to F-1 student status while in the U.S.; they may however seek F-1 status by exiting the U.S., obtaining an F-1 visa, and re-entering the U.S. in F-1 student status.

• J nonimmigrants subject to the 212(e) 2-year foreign residence requirement
• WT and WB visitors admitted under the Visa Waiver Program.
• M-1 students
• C, D, and K nonimmigrants
• J-1 physicians admitted to receive graduate medical education or training
• Aliens admitted as visitors under 8 C.F.R. § 212.1(e)

Documents Required for the J-1 Change of Status Application
The nonimmigrant must explain satisfactorily why s/he did not originally enter the U.S. in the status now being requested. A change of circumstances or intention should be documented or explained to make the application acceptable.

• USCIS: Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (Form I-539)

Eligibility for School Attendance While Change to F-1 Status Application is Pending

A change of status applicant seeking F-1 student status may start attending school prior to application approval, except for nonimmigrants in the following statuses; they must wait until their change of status application is approved by USCIS:

• Nonimmigrants in B-1 or B-2 status; and
• Nonimmigrants in F-2 dependent status (exception: F-2 minors studying at the primary or secondary level)

Eligibility for Employment While Change to F-1 Status Application is Pending

No F-1 benefits are available, including any kind of employment (including assistantships), until the applicant receives an approval notice from USCIS.

Departing the U.S. while a Change of Status Application is Pending Invalidates the Application

A nonimmigrant who exits the U.S. while a change of status application is pending is considered to have abandoned the change of status application. Department of Homeland Security will deny the application if they become aware of the departure.

Restrictions on Changing to J-1 Status

Nonimmigrants in the following statuses are not eligible to change to J-1 student status while in the U.S.; they may however seek J-1 status by exiting the U.S., obtaining an J-1 visa, and re-entering the U.S. in J-1 status.

• J-2 nonimmigrants subject to the 212(e) 2-year foreign residence requirement
• WT and WB visitors admitted under the Visa Waiver Program.
• C, D, and K nonimmigrants

Documents Required for the J-1 Change of Status Application
The nonimmigrant must explain satisfactorily why s/he did not originally enter the U.S. in the status now being requested. A change of circumstances or intention should be documented or explained to make the application acceptable. USCIS may deny a request by an F-1 student to change to J-1 Student status if the adjudicating officer believes that the reason for the change is principally to enable the dependents to apply for permission to accept employment.

• USCIS: Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (Form I-539)
• Application Checklist for Change from F-1 to J-1 Student Status

Eligibility for J-1 Benefits While Change to J-1 Status Application is Pending

No J-1 benefits are available, including any kind of employment including enrolling in classes or obtaining employment, until the applicant receives an approval notice from USCIS.

Departing the U.S. while a Change of Status Application is Pending Invalidates the Application

A nonimmigrant who exits the U.S. while a change of status application is pending is considered to have abandoned the change of status application. Department of Homeland Security will deny the application if they become aware of the departure.