Change of Status

To change from one nonimmigrant status to another nonimmigrant status within the United States, an Application for Change of Status must be filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Please speak with a Center for International Services advisor before filing your change of status application.

To apply for a change of status while in the U.S., we advise that you consult with an experienced immigration attorney as applications can take 5-6 months or longer. Please review USCIS’s Check Case Processing Times webpage.

Those wanting to apply for a change of status to F-1 or J-1 status will need to submit the following to USCIS:

  • Form I-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.”
  • Application fee.
    • Please refer to USCIS’s Calculate Your Fees webpage. In the “Select a Form for Fee Information” section, select “I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.”
  • A copy of the Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued by Syracuse University.
  • A cover letter from you addressed to the USCIS requesting the change of status and explaining your circumstances. Include why you entered the U.S. in your current status, why and how your intentions changed after arrival in the U.S. and any other relevant information.
  • Proof of financial support (bank statement, assistantship letter, etc.) for at least the amount shown on your I-20/DS-2019, the estimated cost of attendance and living expenses for one year.
  • A copy of your SEVIS Fee Receipt showing that you paid. Payment can only be made at the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) I-901 SEVIS Fee Processing Website.
  • A copy of the letter of acceptance from the school or program you are entering, if applicable.
  • Copies of the following pages of your passport:
    • Passport biodata page(s) – includes your photo and expiration date.
    • Most recent U.S. visa page in your passport.
  • Copy of your most recent I-94.
  • Copies of additional immigration documents pertaining to your current status.
    • If you are currently in H or L status, the I-797 Approval Notice and documentation that you are maintaining your status (copies of paystubs, letter from employer, etc.).
    • If you are currently in F-2 status, your Dependent I-20 form, your F-1’s I-20, passport biodata page(s), visa, most recent I-94 and documentation that they are maintaining status.
    • If you are currently in J-2 status, your Dependent DS-2019 form, your J-1’s DS-2019, passport biodata page(s), visa, most recent I-94 and documentation that they are maintaining status.
  • If your application includes any dependents, for each dependent you must have copies of the:
    • F-2 I-20s / J-2 DS-2019s
    • Passport biodata page(s)
    • Visa
    • Most recent I-94
    • Documentation of your relationship, including marriage certificate, children’s birth certificates, etc.

You must maintain your current nonimmigrant status until your change of status application has been approved and the program start on your I-20/DS-2019 has arrived.

For an additional cost, you may file a request for premium processing of your change of status application by filing Form I-907 with the USCIS. Within 30 days of receiving a request for premium processing, USCIS will take one of several possible actions:

  1. Issue an approval notice.
  2. Issue a denial notice.
  3. Issue a notice of intent to deny or a request for evidence.

Premium processing does not guarantee an approval within 30 days. The Premium Processing filing fee is $1,685.

We recommend that you make a copy of your entire application and supporting documents for your files before sending them to USCIS. Send the application to the appropriate USCIS filing address as indicated in the instructions for Form I-539. We recommend that you send the application by trackable mail (USPS Express or Priority Mail, UPS, Fed Ex or DHL). If you move after filing for change of status, you will need to change your address online. USCIS mail will not be forwarded to your new address.

You will receive a receipt notice with a case number assigned. This case number can be used to check the status of the application on the USCIS website.

When you receive a response from the USCIS, please report the outcome to the Center for International Services immediately. Send or bring a photocopy of your I-20 or DS-2019, I-797 “Approval Notice” to the Center.

Please note: If you leave the U.S. while a change of status application is pending, it is viewed as abandoning your application and your change of status will be denied.