Change of Visa Status
We are reviewing the Final Rule ending Duration of Status for F-1 / J-1 statuses. We know this is stressful, so we are working diligently to support you. This information may not reflect the latest guidance. Contact your ISA who is here to help you.
F-1 Change of Status
To change your status to F-1, you can either:
- Travel to obtain F-1 status
- Change your status while remaining in the U.S.
F-1 students are required to carry health insurance.
Travel to Obtain F-1 Status
Traveling to obtain a new visa and then returning to the U.S. is the quickest method for getting a new immigration status As an international student, you are required to carry health insurance. To change your immigration status, follow these steps:
- Obtain an initial Form I-20 (for F-1 visa) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1 visa) after being admitted to a degree program at Penn State:
- As a newly admitted student, you will work with Pre-Arrival Advising (email: international@psu.edu) to obtain your I-20/DS-2019.
- Current students: Submit the Change of Status form in iStart, along with a financial guarantee, to obtain a new I-20/DS-2019. Your request will be assigned to an International Student Adviser (ISA) who will issue the document.
- Pay the I-901 (SEVIS) fee.
- Apply for an F or J visaat a U.S. embassy outside of the U.S.
Note: Part of this process is the completion of the visa application (DS-160) and printing the DS-160 receipt.
- Enter the U.S. with your F-1 or J-1 documents not more than 30 days before the Program Start Date on your document. Check the first page of your I-20 or DS-2019 to find the "Earliest Admission Date".
- Return to iStart and complete Immigration Check-In promptly upon arriving in the U.S.
Note: In this final step, you will provide ISSA with the information we need to activate your initial F-1or J-1 status.
Note: You must follow the requirements for your immigration status.
Resources:
- U.S. Department of State: Student visa overview
- Applying for the visa – Education USA website
NON-Travel Change of Status Option
As an international student, you are required to carry health insurance.
Application Process for Non-Travel Option
- Remain in the United States while applying for the new immigration status.
- Obtain a Form I-20 (for F-1 visa) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1 visa) after being admitted to a Penn State degree program:
- Newly admitted students will work with Pre-Arrival Advising for the I-20/DS-2019.
- Current students need to submit the Change of Status form in iStart, along with a financial guarantee, to obtain a new I-20/DS-2019. Your request will be assigned to an International Student Adviser (ISA).
Note: The document you receive should say “change of status” in the Issue Reason section.
- Pay the I-901 (SEVIS) fee.
- Complete U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form I-539, the application to extend/change non-immigrant status and submit it with all required documents and fee.
Note:
- You cannot change your status within the United States if you are currently in J-1 or J-2 status and you are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement.
- If you leave the U.S. while the application is pending, USCIS will consider it an abandoned application and deny it.
- Your current status must be valid at the time of the application.
- If you are changing from B-1/B-2 to F-1, you may not enroll in classes until your change of status has been approved. Please make an appointment with a Pre-Arrival Adviser to discuss timing and restrictions that you should be aware of.
- Because our office will not be notified of the change of status outcome, you must inform ISSA of the approval or denial.
- Return to iStart and complete Immigration Check-In promptly after the "Valid From" date on the approval notice, I-797A.
Note: Via this final step, you provide our office with the information we need to fully activate your initial F-1 or J-1 status.
Additional Requirements for J-1 Change of Status
If you are changing to the J-1 international student visa category, change of status to J-1 requires a petition to and approval from the U.S. Department of State, along with financial sponsorship from a government, business, university, or other sponsor.
Be sure to meet with your assigned ISA.
Resources:
- Form I-539 checklist of required documents
- Instructions for completing form I-539
A change of status to J-1 requires a petition to and approval from the U.S. Department of State, along with financial sponsorship from a government, business, university, or other sponsor.
Note: Upon approval of the change of status, return to iStart and complete Immigration Check-In.
With this final step, you provide our office with the information we need to fully activate your initial J-1 status.
F-1 Change of Status
To change your status to F-1, you can either:
- Travel to obtain F-1 status
- Change your status while remaining in the U.S.
F-1 students are required to carry health insurance.
Travel to Obtain F-1 Status
Traveling to obtain a new visa and then returning to the U.S. is the quickest method for getting a new immigration status As an international student, you are required to carry health insurance. To change your immigration status, follow these steps:
- Obtain an initial Form I-20 (for F-1 visa) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1 visa) after being admitted to a degree program at Penn State:
- As a newly admitted student, you will work with Pre-Arrival Advising (email: international@psu.edu) to obtain your I-20/DS-2019.
- Current students: Submit the Change of Status form in iStart, along with a financial guarantee, to obtain a new I-20/DS-2019. Your request will be assigned to an International Student Adviser (ISA) who will issue the document.
- Pay the I-901 (SEVIS) fee.
- Apply for an F or J visaat a U.S. embassy outside of the U.S.
Note: Part of this process is the completion of the visa application (DS-160) and printing the DS-160 receipt.
- Enter the U.S. with your F-1 or J-1 documents not more than 30 days before the Program Start Date on your document. Check the first page of your I-20 or DS-2019 to find the "Earliest Admission Date".
- Return to iStart and complete Immigration Check-In promptly upon arriving in the U.S.
Note: In this final step, you will provide ISSA with the information we need to activate your initial F-1or J-1 status.
Note: You must follow the requirements for your immigration status.
Resources:
- U.S. Department of State: Student visa overview
- Applying for the visa – Education USA website
NON-Travel Change of Status Option
As an international student, you are required to carry health insurance.
Application Process for Non-Travel Option
- Remain in the United States while applying for the new immigration status.
- Obtain a Form I-20 (for F-1 visa) or Form DS-2019 (for J-1 visa) after being admitted to a Penn State degree program:
- Newly admitted students will work with Pre-Arrival Advising for the I-20/DS-2019.
- Current students need to submit the Change of Status form in iStart, along with a financial guarantee, to obtain a new I-20/DS-2019. Your request will be assigned to an International Student Adviser (ISA).
Note: The document you receive should say “change of status” in the Issue Reason section.
- Pay the I-901 (SEVIS) fee.
- Complete U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form I-539, the application to extend/change non-immigrant status and submit it with all required documents and fee.
Note:
- You cannot change your status within the United States if you are currently in J-1 or J-2 status and you are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement.
- If you leave the U.S. while the application is pending, USCIS will consider it an abandoned application and deny it.
- Your current status must be valid at the time of the application.
- If you are changing from B-1/B-2 to F-1, you may not enroll in classes until your change of status has been approved. Please make an appointment with a Pre-Arrival Adviser to discuss timing and restrictions that you should be aware of.
- Because our office will not be notified of the change of status outcome, you must inform ISSA of the approval or denial.
- Return to iStart and complete Immigration Check-In promptly after the "Valid From" date on the approval notice, I-797A.
Note: Via this final step, you provide our office with the information we need to fully activate your initial F-1 or J-1 status.
Additional Requirements for J-1 Change of Status
If you are changing to the J-1 international student visa category, change of status to J-1 requires a petition to and approval from the U.S. Department of State, along with financial sponsorship from a government, business, university, or other sponsor.
Be sure to meet with your assigned ISA.
Resources:
- Form I-539 checklist of required documents
- Instructions for completing form I-539
A change of status to J-1 requires a petition to and approval from the U.S. Department of State, along with financial sponsorship from a government, business, university, or other sponsor.
Note: Upon approval of the change of status, return to iStart and complete Immigration Check-In.
With this final step, you provide our office with the information we need to fully activate your initial J-1 status.
