International Center > International Students and Scholars Office > Immigration Status > Maintain F-1 Status > Change to F-1 Status

Change to F-1 Status

After entering the U.S., there are two methods to change from one visa status to another. Once approved for F-1 status, you become eligible for F-1 status benefits including Off-Campus Employment.

Change Status Inside the U.S.Change Status Outside the U.S.
Remain in the U.S. and apply by mail to USCIS for a change of status.Leave the U.S., apply at a U.S. consulate or embassy for a new visa and re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status.
If you are remaining in the U.S., you will receive a Form I-20 for a Change of Status by petition and filing instructions.If you are leaving the U.S. for the change of status, you will receive an Initial Form I-20 to take to the U.S. consulate.
Your I-20 will indicate “Issue Reason: Change of Status.”Your I-20 will indicate “Issue Reason: Initial.”

See our Change of Status Guide for more details regarding the two options above.

Eligibility

  • You must be admitted to a degree-seeking program with UT Dallas.
  • You must be prepared to be full-time enrolled at UT Dallas for each fall and spring semester of F-1 status. If your first semester in F-1 status is the summer semester, you will be required to enroll full-time in your first summer as well.
  • You must hold a non-immigrant status other than C, D, K, M, WT /WB visitor or 212(e) subject J-1.
  • You must be in a current, valid non-immigrant status.

Change of Status Application Process

  1. Gather required documents for Change of Status application
    • UT Dallas Financial Affidavit
    • Financial support documents
      • Bank statement on bank letterhead or other supporting documents
      • UT Dallas TA/RA letter, if you have been granted an assistantship.
      • UT Dallas Scholarship letter, if you have been granted a scholarship.
    • Copy of the pages in your passport that contain your picture, name and date of expiry.
    • Evidence of current immigration status (I-797A Approval Notice or I-94).
  2. Submit the iComet eForm for Change of Status
    • Log in to iComet using your NetID and password
    • Click on “F-1 Current Students” on the left hand side.
    • Click on “Change of Status”
    • Complete all three eForms. Make sure to click “submit” at the bottom of the screen for each form.
    • You will receive an email at your UT Dallas email address when your I-20 is ready.
  3. Notify the ISSO if your application is approved.
    • The change of status process is not complete until ISSO staff register your new status in SEVIS. If this step does not occur, your new status will expire in 30 days!
    • If you left the U.S., upon return notify the ISSO and supply copies of your signed I-20, I-94 and F-1 visa.
    • If you remained in the U.S. you must supply a copy of your new I-94 and Approval Notice to the ISSO.

Waiting Times

  • The waiting times for visa appointments vary from country to country. Check the website of the U.S. consulate you will visit for specifics.
  • USCIS processing times vary each semester. You should expect at least 9 – 12 months.
  • Students in visa categories not approved for study, such as B-2, should not enroll until they are approved by USCIS for change to F-1 status or re-enter the U.S. in F-1 status.
  • If you decide to change how you are applying for change of status (through petition to USCIS or by applying outside the U.S.), you must obtain a new I-20.

Complete New Student Check-In

All new F-1 students must check-in. You must submit copies of your documents for Immigration Document Verification and you must also complete the online Maintaining F-Status Workshop. If you do not complete the check-in requirements, a registration hold will be placed on your student account.

Follow the instructions below:

  1. Log in to iComet with your NetID and password
  2. Click on Prospective Students
  3. Click on New Student Check-In
  4. Complete the ‘Post-Arrival: Immigration Document Verification (IDV) Upload’ and click submit
  5. Complete the Maintaining F-1 Status Workshop eForm click submit.

Maintain your current immigration status while your application is pending.

  • Submit your Change of Status application before your current status expires. If your status expires before you filed an application with USCIS to change your status, or if you have otherwise violated the terms of your status, then USCIS may not approve your application. USCIS has a guide that may assist you.
  • Be prepared in the event your application is denied. A change of status approval is not automatic. If your application is denied, you may be required to depart the United States immediately.
  • Do not engage in activities reserved for F-1 status until after you receive notice from USCIS that your application has been approved. This includes F-1 employment such as on-campus employment or CPT. Once approved for F-1 status, you may be eligible to apply for CPT internships after you have established that you have been lawfully enrolled full-time in a U.S. university for at least one academic year (two consecutive long semesters) immediately prior to the semester in which the CPT will take place, and you have met other CPT requirements.
  • Do not enroll in classes if your current immigration category does not allow it. Enrolling in any classes if you are B-1/B-2 is a violation of your current immigration status. Enrolling full-time if you are F-2 is a violation of your current immigration status. Even though UT Dallas will allow you to enroll and attend classes, if you are in one of the above immigration categories, you will be violating your current immigration status.
  • Enroll in and begin full-time study if you are in an immigration category that allows study such as H-4, L-2, or E-2.

Manage relevant UT Dallas deadlines while your Change of Status application is pending

You are responsible for managing not only your immigration application and status, but also various deadlines and requirements from other UT Dallas offices.

  • Office of Enrollment Services: If you are not lawfully permitted to study and your change of status application will not be approved in time to begin classes for the term which you were admitted, please consult the Office of Admissions and Enrollment early to determine relevant deadlines to defer your admission.
  • UT Dallas financial award granting office: If you are not lawfully permitted to work and you received a scholarship, assistantship or other financial award, please consult with the office which extended the award to you to determine your options and relevant deadlines if the change of status application is not approved by the start of classes.
  • Bursar’s Office: If you register for classes tuition and fees will be assessed. Refer to the UT Dallas Academic Calendar and Bursar’s Office for payment and refund rules and deadlines in the event that you withdraw from the classes.
  • Registrar’s Office: Contact the Registrar regarding adding and dropping classes, as well as information regarding Texas State Residency for tuition purposes. You can email residency@utdallas.edu for more information.