Change of Status to F-1

Certain statuses other than F-1 allow study within the US. Please check the rules of your current status to see if study is permitted. Nonimmigrant Study Guideline is a good general resource to reference for your current, non-F-1 status.

We recommend consulting with an immigration attorney for any questions concerning your current status and for consultation on if and when you should change to F-1. If you choose to change to F-1 status, it is important that you understand the rules of maintaining your status within the U.S on F-1.

If you do need F-1 status, you can choose one of the following two options:

Option 1:Travel

You will request a Form I-20 from Cranwell. Once received, you will then apply for an F-1 visa at a US consulate or embassy (currently only possible in your home country), and enter the US again using that F-1 visa and Form I-20. This is the most common and preferred method to gain F-1 status.

Option 2: Change of status within the U.S

You will request a Form I-20 from Cranwell, specifically for Change of Status by indicating you do not wish to depart the US and will apply for F-1 status within the US. Please note you will need to work with an immigration attorney to ensure you are eligible for a change of status F-1 based on the validity of your current status. We cannot advise on other statuses or the I-539.

Once you receive your I-20 from Cranwell, you will then ensure you have paid your SEVIS I-901 fee and then file Form I-539 (submitting your Form I-20) to USCIS and wait for them to approve your F-1 status. With this method, you will not receive the visa stamp in your passport. The regular Form I-539 can take months for USCIS to adjudicate. Premium processing is available with USCIS if you need adjudication within 30 business days.

How do I start the process?

You will need complete the change of status quiz on the self-enroll canvas course here: Change of Status to F-1: Self-enroll workshop.
Email international@vt.edu and indicate your readiness to move to F-1 status. We will check to ensure you have finished the quiz.
You will be added to an intake form where you will 1) indicate how you wish to change status 2) provide the documentation we will need such as your passport and financial documents. Financial requirements must be shown for the estimated cost for your level and program: See accepted financial documentation and estimated costs here.

If your current status does not allow study in the US, please defer your start date to a future semester before starting your I-20 request. You should defer based on USCIS processing times for the I-539.
^*An approval for a mid-semester change of status from a status that does not allow full-time enrollment could prevent you from maintaining F-1 status. You must be fully enrolled as an F-1 student when approved for a Change of Status for the semester of the start date on the I-20: Maintaining Your F-1 Status.

How long does this take?

Cranwell processing of your Change of Status I-20 will be expected to take the same amount of time as a new student intake form. Note our processing times are based upon a correct submission: Processing Times.
We will not defer your start date unless you prove that you have submitted your I-539. Do not hold onto or submit your I-20 beyond the program start date we have given you. If you have not submitted, we may need to defer you to the next available semester, so timing with your I-539 is critical.
USCIS approvals can take a very long time. (often 6-12 months or more) You should check current USCIS processing times for the I-539. There is an option for premium processing with USCIS that will ensure a response within 30 business days.
Important Deadline for Change of Status Applicants:

If your F-1 Change of status has not been approved by the date that is one week before your program start date (program start date is printed on Page 1 of your I-20), Cranwell must defer your program start date. You must submit an I-20 reprint request on IntlHokies with the deferral of start date option selected if you have not received a decision by that time. If you do not notify us, your SEVIS record will be cancelled and USCIS will deny your Change of Status.

What documents do I need?

A clear image of your passport biographical page (the entire page).
A clear image of the visa you used to enter the US (the entire page).
Your current I-94 record. If you have an I-797A from a previous change of status, you can use that instead.
Financial documents required for all F-1 applicants.
Clear images of the passport biographical pages for any dependents you might have.
*Certain statuses, particularly A, G, and NATO, may require additional documentation. Please consult with an immigration attorney for additional information on these types.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I become eligible for F-1 benefits such as on-campus employment?

You will be eligible for F-1 benefits when you are approved for F-1 Status by USCIS and are within 30 days of the start date on the I-20. All criteria for benefits must also be met once in active F-1 status.

I received my approval from USCIS. Now what?

Please let us know so you can submit the immigration check in to us and we can register your SEVIS record.

Am I eligible for CPT right away?

No. You need to complete two main semesters in F-1 status before you can participate in CPT.

I will graduate with only one semester in F-1 status. Can I use time in my previous status to meet the one year requirement?

If you were enrolled meeting the requirements of a full-time F-1 student in your previous status, we can use that time in your previous status for the OPT recommendation.

I only have a few months left in my current status, is there time to apply for a change of status?

Potentially. While we may be able to produce an I-20 should you meet all requirements, USCIS processing times and your underlying status may affect your ability to get an approval. You will need to consult with a qualified immigration attorney to see what the feasibility of changing to F-1 may be based on your current status.

I graduate in a few months, is it possible to do a change of status?

Potentially, but it may not be feasible. We would recommend you do a change of status at least two semesters before you graduate to prevent delays considering the USCIS processing times.

Can I have/keep in-state tuition?

All F-1 status holders are billed at the out-of-state rate. For any specifics or questions concerning fees or timing of when you will be billed at the out-of-state rate, you will need to check with the Bursar’s Office.

What if I switch statuses mid-semester? Are there any issues?

Cranwell’s recommendation is to do your change of status in a way that puts you in F-1 before the start of whichever semester you are changing status to avoid ambiguities with a mid-semester start of F-1 status.