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In order to change your visa status through international travel, ISSS must issue you an initial I-20 with a new SEVIS ID number.

How to Change Status Through International Travel

• Submit the F-1 Change of Status eform in located under Other Student Services.
  • Be prepared to submit recent documentation of funding. Please refer to the Estimated Expenses for Study for guidance on the amount.
  • Be prepared with academic information.
    • New Students: Be ready to submit your admission offer.
    • Current Students: Be ready to submit your transcript. Make sure you are registered full-time with sufficient face-to-face coursework for the upcoming semester.
• Pay the SEVIS fee.
  • After the initial I-20 is created, pay the SEVIS fee for your new SEVIS ID number.

• Depart the U.S. and apply for a new visa.
  • It is recommended that you apply for your visa in your home country. Allow sufficient time to apply for your F-1 visa. You will have to submit the I-20, documentation of your financial support, official academic transcript or admission offer, SEVIS fee receipt, and evidence that you intend to return to your home country at the conclusion of your studies in the US (i.e., ties to your home country). Before your visa interview, you will need to pay the visa application fee and fill out Form DS-160. 
  • Remember that certain factors can cause increased scrutiny, such as violations of previous visa status and for current students, academic performance.

• Re-enter the U.S.
  • You may not enter the U.S. more than 30 days before the program start date on your I-20. This date generally corresponds with the start of classes for the upcoming fall or spring semester.

• Complete document check within one week of entering the U.S.
  • Submit the Arrival and Document Upload form in . This form may be submitted in advance of your return.
  • Update or confirm your local U.S. address in Banner Self-Service.
  • After you have returned to the U.S. and both steps above are completed, an ISSS advisor will register your new SEVIS ID number. Reminder, SEVIS registration is time sensitive

Change of status in the U.S. is the process in which you submit documentation to the U.S. government (USCIS) asking to change to F-1 student status.

Keep in mind that change of status requests generally take months to be adjudicated unless you . Review . You cannot depart the U.S. while your change of status application is pending. Leaving the U.S. will result in a denial of your request. Depending on your current visa status, you may not be able to enroll in classes or may only be able to enroll part-time until your change of status to F-1 is approved. Ask your ISSS advisor for information on your personal circumstances.

ISSS advises that you maintain your previous status during this time period in order to best maintain eligibility for approval of your application.

How to Change Status Through USCIS Application

There are many required documents and steps in the change of status process. You have the option to Meet with an ISSS Advisor to discuss how to submit the change of status application if you need help at any stage in this process.

• Submit the F-1 Change of Status eform in located under Other Student Services.
  • Be prepared to submit recent documentation of funding. Refer to the Estimated Expenses for Study for guidance on the amount. In addition to your financial statement, consider evidence you might provide, such as your current ߣߣÊÓƵ bursar balance and proof of tuition payment as well as past payment history (current students). If your studies are funded by a sponsor, consider a signed letter or affidavit from your sponsor certifying their support, foreign currency conversion, and documentation of how you can access those funds such as wire transfer, etc.
  • Be prepared with academic information.
    • New Students: Be ready to submit your admission offer.
    • Current Students: Submit your Official Transcript from ߣߣÊÓƵ. Make sure you are registered full-time with sufficient face-to-face coursework for the upcoming semester.
  • A photocopy of the page(s) from your passport showing your photo and identification information, and showing your passport expiration date
  • Form I-94 information. Visit to retrieve your Form I-94 number.
  • A photocopy of the visa page from your passport (optional but recommended)
  • Photocopy of all documents you hold in your current visa status
  • If currently a dependent, photocopies of your spouse/parent’s visa documents: I-94, passport pages (photograph and the expiration date of passport), visa, proof of status (such as the I-20, DS-2019, etc.)
  • If you are working with an attorney, it is your decision whether you submit the remaining change of status materials to ISSS.
    • Completed
      • to create your I-539
        • Note your draft application will only be available for 30 days if no edits or actions are taken on it. DO NOT SUBMIT your online application until after you have obtained and uploaded your I-20 and paid the SEVIS fee.
        • If there is a co-applicant included in the application, see instructions below for filing by mail

• Meet with an ISSS advisor for feedback on your request and documentation
  • After your request is submitted and complete, ISSS will issue the following documents:
    • I-20 recommending change of visa status
    • You must print and sign the document in ink.  Do not electronically sign. Sign above your name on the first page and date.
    • Once you receive your documentation from ISSS, you are ready to file your application in your USCIS online account.

• Pay the SEVIS fee.
  • After the initial I-20 is created, pay the SEVIS fee for your new SEVIS ID number. Include your payment receipt into your draft I-539 application.

• Make Required I-539 Payment and Submit Application
  • Non-Refundable Government Application Fee: The online filing fee is $420. To verify the current fee amount, visit .
  • OPTIONAL Premium Processing Fee: $1,965. Guarantees that USCIS will take action on your application within 30 days of receiving a complete application. Please note that while you may opt for Premium Processing when you apply, you may also submit this request at any point while your application is pending. To add this application after your Change of Status request has already been submitted, log into the USCIS Portal, select "File a form online form" from the "My Account" pull-down menu, then select "I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service". Complete the application, make your payment of $1,965, and submit the request. If your application is complete at that time (including biometrics, if required), it will be processed within 30 days of your request.

Special Note for filing with dependents: The process above provides information on how to file for change of visa status online. Students with co-applicants (dependents) are required to file by paper and should discuss this process with ISSS. Each co-applicant included in the application must submit and sign a separate Form I-539A. Parents or guardians may sign on behalf of children under 14. If you file by paper and want to receive an email or text that the USCIS has received your application, include the . Be sure to attach this form to the first page of your application packet. Note the fee for filing by paper (mail) is $470. Personal checks or money orders are accepted and should be made payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If you choose a personal check, be prepared to ensure your account has sufficient funds for several weeks. If the check has an old address on it, cross it out and write your current address. Credit card payments are also accepted and should be submitted by completing . If you submitted your I-539 application by mail, rather than through the USCIS portal, you may not submit an online Form I-907 to request premium processing but rather must file a .

Next Steps After Submission

• Email I-797 Receipt Notice to ISSS at International@ߣߣÊÓƵOH.edu
  • ISSS must receive your receipt notice within 6 weeks or less of issuing your change of status I-20. Failure to email the receipt notice to ISSS will result in the cancellation of your I-20.
• Check the Documents tab in your USCIS online account weekly for updates. Make sure to check for any new documents, such as a Request for Evidence. Keep ISSS informed about your case status and notify ISSS when you receive a decision.

It is ISSS’s hope that your change of status application will be approved, however if you receive a request for evidence or denial notice please share this information with ISSS in a timely manner and consider consulting with a knowledgeable immigration attorney.

Please note by changing visa status inside the USA, you will not have a visa stamp in your passport for travel. If you choose to leave the USA after approval of your change of status to F-1 application, you must apply for a new F-1 visa stamp at a USA embassy or consulate. Approval is not guaranteed in these circumstances.