Change of Status: B-2 Tourist to F-1 Student

Source: https://oia.osu.edu/international-students/immigration-information/change-status/change-status-b-2-tourist-f-1-student Parent: https://oia.osu.edu/international-students/immigration-information/change-status

A nonimmigrant B-2 visitor for pleasure may wish to change to F-1 student status if the following applies:

• The visitor has a B-2 visa bearing the notation “prospective student.” Consular officers are authorized to write “prospective student” on a B-2 visa issued to a person admitted to a particular school and has a Form I-20 from that school but intends to enter the United States more than 90 days before classes begin. A person with a B-2 visa marked “prospective student” should routinely be able to obtain a change to F-1 status.
• Conditions in the preceding paragraph may apply, but the consular officer has neglected to write “prospective student” on the B-2 visa.

Please note: USCIS will generally deny an application for change of status if it determines that the applicant had the intention to study in the United States before entering as a B visitor, inferring that the student misrepresented his or her purpose in coming to the United States by failing to reveal the intention to study when applying for a visa and entering the country.

Application Procedure

To request the change of status, you will need to submit the completed Form I-539 to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) with the processing fee. Information about filing this form online can be found on the USCIS website.

You will also need to upload the following documents when completing the I-539:

• Receipt confirming payment of the SEVIS I-901 Fee
• Your most recent electronic I-94
• Copies of the pages in your passport that include biographical information, passport picture and passport expiration date
• If “prospective student” is not stamped on your B-2 visa, include a letter explaining why you are requesting to change to F-1 status and also provide evidence that you had no intention of being a student when you entered the U.S. as a visitor.

Additional documents might be required. It is strongly advised that you meet with an immigration attorney to review your application to USCIS for the change of status request. 

Those in B-2 status may not be employed or enrolled until the F-1 status is approved.