Change of Status

To apply for a change of status to F-1 or J-1 status, you will need the following documentation:

• Form I-539, “Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.”
• Application fee of $370.00 and Biometrics fee of $85.00.
  • You may pay by check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Write “I-539 Change of Status” and your name on the front of the check.
  • You can also pay by credit card by filing Form G-1450.
• 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.
  • View a sample cover letter.
• Proof of financial support (bank statement, assistantship letter, etc.) for at least the amount shown on your I-20, the estimated cost of attendance and living expenses for one year.
• A copy of the Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued by the Center for International Services.
  • To obtain this, please submit an I-20 or DS-2019 request form, and provide proof of funding (step 4) and proof of acceptance into the program (if applicable).
• A copy of your SEVIS Fee Receipt that you must pay online.
• 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:
  • I.D. page(s) – includes your photo and expiration date.
  • Most recent U.S. visa page in your passport.
• A printout of your electronic I-94.
• Copies of additional immigration documents pertaining to your current status.
  • If you are currently in H-1B or L-1 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 I.D. page, visa, I-94 printout 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 ID page, visa, I-94 printout 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 I.D. pages
  • Visas
  • I-94 printouts
  • Documentation of your relationship, including marriage certificate, children’s birth certificates, etc.

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.

F-1 and J-1 students may be approved for a Reduced Course Load (less than 12 credit hours in a semester for undergraduates; less than nine credit hours for graduate students) under the following exceptional circumstances.

• Documented Medical Conditions: Due to a student’s temporary illness or medical condition for a period not to exceed an aggregate of 12 months while the student is pursuing a course of study at a particular program level.
  • The student must provide a letter to Center for International Services from
    • a licensed US medical doctor,
    • a doctor of osteopathy,
    • a licensed psychologist or
    • a licensed clinical psychologist.
  • The letter must include a recommendation specifically for
    • the medical reason,
    • the allowed credit hours (0-11 for undergraduate students and 0-8 for graduate students),
    • the duration of the reduced course load.
  • The letter should be sent to international@syr.edu.
• Documented academic difficulties in the initial semester are limited to
  • initial difficulty with the English language or reading requirements,
  • unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods,
  • improper course level placement.
• The student must resume a full course of study in the next available semester after the semester approved for a reduced course load.
• To request an academic reduced course load, students should submit a letter or e-mail by the department to the Center for International Services at international@syr.edu. The letter or e-mail must be written by an academic advisor, the department chair or a program director stating
  • the reason for the recommendation for a reduced course load,
  • which class(es) should be dropped.
• Before a student requests a reduced course load, the Center for International Services recommends the student consult with
  • the professor(s) in whose classes they are having difficulty, to determine the cause of the problem. Often times, a faculty member can recommend remedial work to improve performance,
  • an academic advisor about the implications of dropping a course or courses, will have on the academic program plan (i.e. class only offered in fall and is a prerequisite for other courses and will add time onto date of completion).