Change of Status

Change of Status (COS) in the U.S.

Please read the following information with regards to Change of Status:

• Please see the following website for details on study guidelines and restrictions for Nonimmigrant visa holders: https://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/Nonimmigrant%20Class%20Who%20Can%20Study.pdf
  
• Individuals in B2 status are not permitted to study full-time until they have obtained F1 or J1 non-immigrant student status.
• An F-2 dependent may study part-time in any certified program at an SEVP-certified school. An F-2 dependent may engage in a course of study that does not amount to what regulations define as full-time for an F-1.
• Individuals in F-2 status may not accept employment or engage in business under any circumstances. If you are in F-2 status and you are offered an assistantship, your change of status must be apporved before you can utilize it.
• You must be able to maintain legal current non-immigrant status for at least 30 days prior to the start of classes in order to be eligible to change status.  For example, if classes begin September 1, 20XX, your B-2 status must be valid until at least August 1, 20XX, one month before classes start.
• Before you can submit a change of status application to USCIS you must first
  • Be admitted to a full-time program of study at Temple University
  • Receive a Form I-20 from ISSS
  • Pay the SEVIS Fee this will be done after you receive your I-20
• You will receive an e-mail from ISSS when the I-20 is ready. When you receive the e-mail, call 215-204-7708 to schedule an appointment.
• If your I-94 card has expired, ISSS cannot assist you with a change of status.  You should seek the services of an immigration attorney.
• You must be in a non-immigrant status that allows for a change of status..
• A non-immigrant who travels abroad while an application for change of status is pending is considered to have abandoned the change of status application.  The Department of Homeland Security will deny the application if they become aware of the departure.
• Individuals in B-2 may not begin studying or working on campus until the change of status is approved by USCIS.  Individuals in H-4 status may begin studying but may not work (including assistantships) until the change of status is approved.  
• Generally, the current non-immigrant status of a change of status applicant must be valid at the time the change of status application is received by USCIS and must remain valid up until the date that the new status is requested to begin.

There are two ways to obtain F-1 student status. Both options require that you obtain admission to the University as well as a Certificate of Eligibility from this office.

To obtain a change of status, you can:

1. Submit an application for a change of status to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) and wait for their decision
2. Depart the US, apply for a new entry visa, and re-enter the U.S. in student status.

See the advantages and disadvantages of a change of status in the U.S as well as travel outside the U.S..