Change of Status by Travel
Changing Status by Travel (Recommended by ISSS)
It is possible to change visa status by leaving the U.S. and applying for a student visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. Once you enter the U.S. with your student visa you will have that status (as indicated on your I-94 card).
- In most cases it may be much quicker to change your status this way.
- You will receive a visa stamp in your passport.
- Your application may be delayed or denied.
- The flight home is an added expense in addition to application fees for the visa.
- Your change of status is not complete until you reenter the United States and meet with an international student advisor to activate your F-1 immigration record.
- If you are changing your status from B-2, you may begin classes only after you return to the United States and obtain F-1 status.
- If changing from F-2 to F-1, you may only begin full time classes after you return to the United States in F-1 status.
- You may begin on-campus employment only after you reenter in F-1 status and check-in with ISSS.
- You may enter the United States no earlier than 30 days prior to the program start date listed in section 5 of the Initial I-20. Therefore it is important to plan your travel carefully.
Steps to Changing Status By Travel
After meeting with an international student advisor and deciding to change status via travel, the international student advisor will collect a signed change of status acknowledgement form and give guidance for how to apply for the I-20. During the I-20 application, information will be collected about your estimated graduation date, and proof of funding for one year of estimated expenses.
Payment may be made only after obtaining an I-20. For more information about the SEVIS fee, please refer to the Department of Homeland Security's website on the I-901 SEVIS fee.
When you leave the United States, you will need the Form I-20 to obtain an F-1 visa from a U.S. consulate or embassy. It is not possible to obtain an F-1 visa inside the United States.
We recommend that you make your visa appointment in your home country or country of residence. Please visit our Visa Information web page for more information on how to apply for a visa.
- You may enter the United States no earlier than 30 days prior to the program start date listed in section 5 of the Initial I-20.
- At the port of entry present your I-20 and newly acquired F-1 visa to the inspection officer.
- After you return to the United States in F-1 status review and print your I-94 information. The I-94 record should indicate “F-1” and “D/S.”
- Once you have arrived in the US, complete the F-1 orientation modules and your immigration documents check. The documents check is required for the activation of your SEVIS record. Failure to complete the documents check in a timely manner could lead to the termination of your F-1 record and the loss of your immigration status.