B1/B2 to F1 Change of Status
Contact International Student Services (ISS) as soon as you know you must obtain F-1 status in order to discuss your
options. This change of status can be especially challenging, and it may be best to travel, apply for an F-1 visa
abroad, and reenter the U.S. in F-1 status.
Important Notes
The regulations prohibit beginning a full course of study until the change of status to F-1 is approved. Students
cannot study legally until they receive their F1 change of status approval.
F-1 status cannot begin earlier than 30 days before the start date on your I-20. You should submit your application
several months in advance, and you must be able to maintain your current B-1/B-2 status until 30 days before the I20 start date.
If your tourist status will expire prior to 30 days before your I-20 start date, your application will most likely be
denied. Even though you are allowed to stay in the U.S. while the application is pending, if your application is likely
to be denied, it will be better for you to travel, obtain an F-1 visa abroad, and reenter the U.S. in F-1 status.
A decision on your application can take anywhere from 3 to 12 months to be finalized.
If approved, you will have only changed your STATUS. You will not receive a visa in your passport. If you plan to
travel after changing your status, you will need to make an appointment with the U.S. consulate outside the U.S. and
apply for an F-1 visa. The chances of the consular denying your visa may be higher. It is advised that you do not
travel outside the country once your change of status is approved and until you complete your studies.
Instructions
1. Apply to Rockland Community College and submit all requirements for an international student applicant.
Obtain an admission letter and I-20 from RCC.
2. Meet with an International Student Services to discuss your options for obtaining an F1 visa.
3. Prepare the required documents and follow next steps for obtaining F-1 status
Option 1: Travel and Reentry
1. Pay the $200 SEVIS fee at www.fmjfee.com.
2. Schedule a visa appointment at the local consulate in your home country by visiting www.ustraveldocs.com and
review all the requirements to apply for the F1 visa. You can apply for the F1 visa within 120 days of the start
date on your I-20.
3. Once a visa is obtained, you can enter the U.S. with your I-20 and F-1 visa no earlier than 30 days before the I-20
start date.
International Student Services t 845-574-4527 | f 845-574-4134 | [email protected]
Option 2: Change of Status in the U.S.
International Student Services will issue you a Change of Status SEVIS I-20 to be included in your admission packet.
ISS will help guide you as to what is needed for your application packet, but it is your responsibility to mail the
packet to USCIS. We highly suggest that you mail your application to the USCIS lockbox and do not complete it
through the USCIS Electronic System.
Mail entire packet to USCIS Dallas Lockbox:
If sending by Certified, Return Receipt mail through the post office:
USCIS
P.O. Box 660166
Dallas, TX 75266
OR if sending by USPS Express Mail/Courier:
USCIS
ATTN: I-539
2501 S. State Highway 121 Business
Suite 400
Lewisville, TX 75067
Change of Address:
If you need to move from your current place of residence and have not yet received your NOA or your decision
notice, be sure to update your address with USCIS by completing the online AR-11 Change of Address Form:
https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa.Terms
Failure to complete the AR-11 can lead to your documents being mailed to the wrong place. If your documents get
lost in the mail,
USCIS may charge a fee for sending duplicate documents. It may also further delay the processing time for your
application.
International Student Services t 845-574-4527 | f 845-574-4134 | [email protected]
Change of Status Application Requirements

Completed Original Form I-539: You can obtain the application form online at
http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/i-539.pdf. Please be sure to open it in Adobe in order
to type your answers. We suggest that you type all your answers, as the forms are fed through a scanner
at USCIS.

$290 fee: check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”

I-94 record.
If you have an I94 card, send the original with your application (keep a copy for yourself.) I
f you have an electronic I94, print a copy off at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94. Please be sure this is your
most recent I-94 record, as this date is very important to your application.

Photocopy of the visa page and identification page in your passport. Your passport must be valid for at
least another year. Make sure to include a photocopy the most recent entry stamp in your passport.

Photocopy of the signed I-20 issued in your name by RCC. Make sure to sign and date the bottom of the
first page

Detailed evidence of financial support. This includes bank statements showing proof of funds to afford
the college as well as a copy of the Agreement of Support form submitted to the college. Proof of funds
must be current, liquid, and accessible.

Photocopy of proof of payment of the $200 SEVIS Fee. www.fmjfee.com

Detailed letter requesting and explaining the need to change status
o If your B-1/B-2 visa is endorsed "prospective student," you should have little difficulty changing to
student status. If your visa does not have a "prospective student" notation, include answers to the
following questions in your letter:
 What did you tell the consular officer was the purpose of your visit to the U.S.?
 Upon entry to the U.S., what did you tell the immigration officer was the purpose of your visit?
 How and when did you arrive at your decision to study in the U.S.?
 How and when did you first contact the University, and when were you informed you had been
admitted?
 If prior to your entry into the U.S. your intention was to attend school, why didn't you apply for an
F-1 student visa rather than the B-2 visitor visa?
 Have you been in the U.S. before? When and for what purpose?
 Any relatives in the U.S.? If so, what types of visas are they here on?
Make a copy of your entire packet to keep on record
International Student Services t 845-574-4527 | f 845-574-4134 | [email protected]