Change to F-1 Status
Can I Change My Status to F-1?
Not everyone needs to change to F-1 status to study in the US. Please check the rules of your current status to see if study is permitted. This guide is a good resource to help you check. We also recommend consulting with an immigration attorney.
If you do need F-1 status, you can choose one of the following two options:
Travel
You will request a Form I-20 from ISS. Once received, you will then apply for an F-1 visa at a US consulate (preferably in your home country), and enter the US again using that F-1 visa and Form I-20. This is the most common way to gain F-1 status.
Non-Travel (This is called “Change of Status”)
You will request a Form I-20 from ISS, specifically for Change of Status. Once received, you will then file Form I-539 (submitting your Form I-20) with 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 days.
How do I start the process?
- Email our ISS advisors at uwbintl@uw.edu and indicate your readiness to move to F-1 status.
- After you’ve spoken to an advisor, we will give you access to the International Student Portal.
- Complete the I-20 request, uploading the necessary information and documents.
- If your current status does not allow study in the US, please defer your start date to a future quarter before starting your I-20 request. You should defer based on USCIS processing times for the I-539.
How long does this take?
- ISS processing of your Change of Status I-20 varies depending on the time of year. We will usually process your request within 7 – 10 business days. During SEVIS registration periods, you may have to wait until 30 days after the start of the quarter for your request to be processed.
- All I-20s created for change of status must be used within 30 days. 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. We will cancel any change of status I-20 that has gone beyond the start date if you do not provide evidence of submitting your I-539.
- USCIS approvals can take a very long time. You should check current USCIS processing times for the I-539.
- Important Deadline for Change of Status Applicants
- If your F-1 Change of status has not been approved by one week before your program start date (printed on Page 1 of your I-20), you must request to defer your program start date to next quarter. You must request this via email. If you do not notify us, your SEVIS record will not be automatically deferred and your filed Change of Status can be denied by USCIS.
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.
Still have questions?
Contact the International Student Services at uwbintl@uw.edu to discuss your situation and get your questions answered!