Change of Status to F-1
Obtain I-20
File application with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services
After You've Filed
Many individuals who are currently in the U.S. in a valid immigration status other than F-1 may change to F-1 status when they are admitted to a program or if you are currently pursuing study at JHU in another immigration status. Please note this is general information, and is not intended to replace the advice of an Is advisor or a qualified immigration attorney. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with an OISSS advisor to receive more tailored, case-specific advice.
In order to change status to F-1 in the U.S., it is a two step process:
Step 1: Obtain an I-20 from ISA
- If you are a newly admitted student to the university, the admissions office will forward a request to OISSS for I-20 issuance.
- If you are a continuing student at the university, please schedule an appointment with an OISSS advisor and bring the following with you to the appointment:
- Your immigration documents (passport, visa, I-94, and any other pertinent immigration documents, i.e., DS-2019, F-2 dependent I-20, I-797 approval notice, etc.)
- Original financial documents, no more than 6 months old, in English, showing sufficient funds for your program. Cost of attendance information is available here.
- Copy of your application for admission to the university.
Step 2: File change of status application with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)
See here for information on where to file application.
Prepare the following documents for your change of status application:
- Form I-539;
- Check or money order for $380, payable to Department of Homeland Security, USCIS;
- Original Form I-20;
- Receipt documenting payment of SEVIS fee;
- Original financial documentation used to obtain I-20;
- If your financial sponsor is an individual other than yourself and in the U.S., Form I-134 (affidavit of support) is also recommended.
- Copy of biographical and expiration pages of your passport;
- Copy of your U.S. visa;
- Copy of form I-94, front and back, with the red stamp clearly legible;
- Copy of other pertinent immigration documents (i.e., I-20 for F-2 dependents, DS-2019 for J-1/J-2s, I-797 approval notice for H-1Bs, etc.);
- Letter from you requesting the change of status. Letter should explain why you are requesting a change of status, and address nonimmigrant intent (i.e., your intent to return to your home country upon completion of your studies);
- Copy of letter of admission (for newly admitted students);
- Official transcripts from Registrar’s Office (for continuing students);
- Enrollment letter from Registrar's Office (for continuing students);
- Other supporting evidence to document maintenance of current immigration status (i.e., paycheck stubs if in an employment-based immigration status, etc.)
For those changing status from dependent statuses, also include the following:
- Copies of the principal’s immigration documents (passport, visa, I-94, and other relevant immigration documents);
- Evidence that the principal is maintaining his/her immigration status (i.e., paycheck stubs for employment-based immigration statuses, transcripts for F-1 or J-1 students, etc.);
For those changing from A, G, or NATO statuses, also include:
- Form I-566, endorsed by the U.S. Department of State (DOS). For those changing from A, G or NATO derivative statuses (i.e., your spouse or parent is the individual employed by the embassy or international organization), please note that DOS will not endorse the I-566 until the A, G or NATO principal has ended his/her tour in the U.S. This form is forwarded to DOS from the visa office in the embassy or international organization where the A, G or NATO principal is working.
After you’ve filed
Once your change of status (COS) application is filed and you have received your receipt notice, please send a copy to your OISSS advisor. This is so that your OISSS advisor can perform the necessary maintenance on your SEVIS record to prevent your SEVIS record from going into “canceled” status, which may cause your COS application to be delayed. Upon approval, bring your I-20 and I-797 approval notice to OISSS so that we may update your records and activate your SEVIS record.
