F-1 Change of Level
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires F-1 students to report academic program changes by obtaining a new I-20 for each change. If the academic major changes within a single program, it is a change of major.
Changes involving two programs are referred to by DHS as a “change of level.” To maintain F-1 status obtain a Change of Level (COL) I-20 appropriate to your situation.
Step 1
Identify your situation.
- Graduating from one degree program and starting another within five months. Check the academic calendar for the last day of final exams. Submit a COL I-20 request to the ISSO no more than 60 days past that date.
- Moving from one degree program to another at a different level without completing the first program. Request your COL I-20 at least five business days before the first day of classes for the semester.
- Completing OPT and starting a new degree program within 5 months. Request your COL I-20 no more than 60 days past your OPT end date.
- Moving from OPT to a new program before the OPT end date. Request your COL I-20 at least five business days before the first day of classes for the semester.
Step 2
Apply for Change of Level with ISSO
Submit your application documents to ISSODocuments@utdallas.edu.
- UT Dallas Change of Level form.
- UT Dallas Financial Affidavit form.
- Proof of funding for one academic year.
- See Estimated Expenses to determine how much funding you must show.
- All financial documents must meet the requirements listed on the Financial Requirements webpage. You may provide any combination of documents to show the required amount of funding.
The ISSO will send an email to your UT Dallas email address once your request is complete. See our Processing Times.
Important Considerations
- Work authorizations. CPT and OPT are degree-specific.
- On the day a COL I-20 for a new program is issued, any existing work authorization ends.
- The earliest you may be authorized to begin a new CPT is the program start date for the new Change of Level I-20. However, you must check your specific CPT I-20 to determine when you have been authorized to begin CPT.
- International travel. If you will travel internationally between programs you should use the new COL I-20 to re-enter the U.S.
- Required summer enrollment. F-1 regulations require full-time enrollment in the first semester of a new program, even if that semester is summer. If your admission is for summer and you do not plan to be enrolled that semester, consider deferring admission to a future term.
- Driver’s license renewals. License offices require students to present I-20s that are valid and unexpired for at least six months into the future. Time your COL I-20 request so the I-20 is not in process when you need to apply for your renewal.
