Can You Switch to a Student Visa From Another U.S. Visa?

When a change of status to F-1 or M-1 is appropriate for someone in the U.S. on another type of visa, and how to apply.

By , Attorney · Capital University Law School

If you're currently living in the United States on the basis of a nonimmigrant visa, but are interested in attending a U.S. school instead, it might be possible for you to use an application procedure called a "change of status." This would allow you to pursue your academic studies (F-1 status) or vocational studies (M-1 status) without having to leave the United States first.

Applying for a change of status simply means asking to continue your stay in the United States under a different category of eligibility. However, not everyone will be allowed to use this procedure, as described below.

Who Is Allowed to Submit a Change of Status Application?

There are limits on who can apply for a change of immigration status.

You are completely prohibited from applying if you are here in the U.S. on a C (transit), D (crewmember), K (fiancé(e)) or S visa (witness or informant in a criminal investigation) visa.

You also cannot apply if you are in transit without a visa (changing planes at a U.S. airport, for example) or if you entered as a tourist without first getting a notation in your visa saying you'd be looking into applying to schools, or if you entered under the Visa Waiver Program.

People on J (exchange student) visas are in most cases allowed to change status only if they are foreign medical school graduates and meet additional criteria (the rules on this are complicated; see an attorney if you are on a J visa).

Even if your visa allows you to apply for a change of status, your inquiry isn't over. You must also make sure that your current status under your existing visa is still valid when you apply to change your status. This means that your permitted stay in the United States has not expired and that you haven't violated the terms of the visa (such as by working when you weren't allowed to) or been ordered by U.S. immigration authorities to leave.

Advantages to Leaving the U.S. Before Applying for a Student Visa

There might be a good reason for you to go home and apply for a visa through a consulate, even if you can apply for a change of status in the United States. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) tends to be skeptical of requests for changes to student status, wondering whether you're just looking for a way to prolong your stay in the United States, perhaps through later employment or even using it as a way to get a green card. By going home and applying for a student visa from abroad, you reduce this risk.

Another possible reason to return home to apply for a student visa (rather than changing your status while you're in the United States) is that it will simplify your first trip out of (and back into) the United States. This is especially relevant given that students might make several trips back and forth before their studies in the U.S. are over.

Finally, making a trip home to apply for your visa at the U.S. consulate could be faster than following the procedure outlined below. Here's how it works: Changing status within the United States will not give you a visa stamp, which you (and every noncitizen) will need in order to get back into the United States after leaving.

If you change status in the United States and go home for the holidays during a school vacation, for example, you'll need to allow extra time on your trip so that you can go to the consulate and get a visa stamp. Once you show the consulate that you've been approved for student status (that is, changed status) and haven't violated your status, getting the student visa for U.S. reentry shouldn't be a problem. Still, people who, at the outset, get a student visa by applying at a consulate won't have to go through this extra step.

A B-2 Visitor Visa Might Let You Stay in the U.S. for a Short, Recreational or Part-Time Study Course

Most people planning to stay in the United States to study at a college or university will apply for student status. However, the criteria for F-1 and M-1 student status are rather strict. You must be planning full-time study in a USCIS-approved academic or vocational program. But what if your plans are for more casual instruction—for example, a few weeks of cooking, yoga or art classes? Or perhaps you just want to take a short or part-time academic course and spend the rest of your time traveling in the United States?

For these purposes, a change to tourist (B-2) status might be sufficient. In fact, the application process is shorter and simpler than for student status.

U.S. immigration laws and regulations don't include clear rules on which type of study programs will require you to get full-fledged student status and which ones won't. The best way to figure out whether visitor status will be enough is to talk to the school or program you'll be attending or to an attorney.

If seeking a B-1, you'll need to fit the normal eligibility criteria for a visitor visa, including that your trip to the United States is for the purpose of pleasure, and that you'll return home when your permitted stay expires. The maximum stay you will be allowed is likely six months, but if your course lasts longer, you might be given up to one year in the United States.

An F-1 Visa for Study in a Full-Time Academic Program in the U.S.

The classic "student" is someone attending a degree program at a school, college, or university. If this describes you, and you have been admitted or believe you will be admitted to a program in the United States, F-1 student status is the one for you. There are no limits on the number of -students who can receive F-1 status or visas each year.

Changing to F-1 status would allow you to stay in the United States along with your family members (spouse and children under age 21, both of whom who would need to apply for F-2 dependent status), pursue academic studies for as long as it reasonably takes you to finish them (plus 60 days to leave the United States) and travel freely in and out of the United States during your studies. You will, however, need to stop at a U.S. consulate on your first trip out and pick up an F-1 visa with which to return (which shouldn't be a big deal, since you already have F-1 status; it's just that you'll need an actual entry document, which a visa is).

If you're looking to spend a long time grounding yourself in the language and culture of the United States, F-1 student status is ideal. Most academic programs take a relatively long time to complete, and your status will cover the entire program. College degrees, for example, take four years to obtain in the United States, certain graduate programs take between two and six years, and a Ph.D. program can last as long as it takes you to write your dissertation—which for some students, feels like forever.

On the other hand, F-1 status can be used for certain short-term programs, such as a six-week English course or a two-year associate degree.

M-1 Visa for Study in a Full-Time Vocational Program

College students aren't the only ones eligible to study in the United States. There is a separate "M-1" status for "vocational study," meaning training in a technical, mechanical or other field—usually one that involves working with one's hands.

An M-1 visa is appropriate if you want to attend a technical or business school or program, a vocational high school, or a specialized vocational program at a more traditional school or college. There are no limits on the number of students who can receive M-1 status or visas each year.

Changing to M-1 status would allow you to complete a program of vocational training that lasts up to one year. You can apply for one extension, and you'll always be given an extra 30 days at the end of your stay to prepare to leave the United States. You may freely travel in and out of the United States for as long as your status is valid (meaning that it hasn't expired, and you haven't violated its terms)—but the first time you leave, you'll have to stop by a U.S. consulate and obtain an M-1 student visa in order to return.

Although you cannot work in the U.S. while in school, you can spend up to six months in paid practical training in your field after completing your studies.

Study of the English Language

Some students come to the United States for the sole purpose of learning English. If you plan on a full-time course or one that is longer than one year, you'll need to apply for F-1 student status—learning English is not considered vocational, so M-1 student status will not work.

If, however, you're just looking at a short, part-time course a B-2 tourist visa might be sufficient.

Preparing Your Change of Status Application for Student Visa

Once a school or program has admitted you and you've indicated that you will attend (usually by paying a deposit), the school will prepare a Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility. F-1 students will get what's called an I-20AB, and M-1 students will get an I-20MN. You'll be submitting this form as part of your application for student status. The school should not charge you any money for issuing the I-20.

Your next step will be to prepare a Change of Status application, using USCIS Form I-539 (available as a free download, though you'll need to pay a fee to file it). Attach a separate I-539A Supplement for your spouse and each child who will be staying in the United States with you. Form I-539 has more than one use—don't be confused by the presence of questions that don't apply to you.

The instructions to the form will explain what documents you need to include and the latest fee you'll need to pay. Your school, or an attorney, will also be able to help you with this process.

Although in the past, many F-1 students encountered problems because of a gap between when their current status expired and their F-1 status and studies were due to begin, USCIS addressed by announcing that it would grant the change of status to F-1 effective the day it approves an applicant's Form I-539. So now you'll mostly need to make sure to get the I-539 in before your existing status expires. Be sure to check on USCIS's processing times, however, and plan for delays.

This is a complex area of the law. You might wish to consult an immigration attorney before trying to handle it on your own.

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