# 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](https://www.uscis.gov/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](https://www.uscis.gov/file-online).

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

- Receipt confirming payment of the [SEVIS I-901 Fee](https://fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html)
- Your most recent [electronic I-94](https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home)
- 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](https://oia.osu.edu/international-students/life-ohio-state/immigration-attorneys) 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.**