UPDATE: The USCIS Processing Center in Laguna Niguel, California is taking approximately 120 days to process applications for change of status. Therefore, you can expect to receive an official notification from USCIS 120 days after you have submitted your application. As such, some students may choose to make visa appointments in Canada or Mexico instead. If traveling outside the United States for an F-1 visa, students should bring the following documents with them:
- Valid passport to re-enter the U.S.
- I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
- I-20 Form
- Current financial documents (and, if appropriate, a letter from student's sponsor or employer)
- Proof of intention to return to home country after completing education in US
- Certificate of Marriage (if appropriate)
Typically, a student makes an visa appointment at a U.S. consulate and following a morning interview with a U.S. State Department official, the F-1 visa is available that same afternoon. However, if a visa application is denied, the student would not be permitted to re-enter the United States. To schedule a visa appointment in Canada or Mexico, go to www.nvars.com or call 1-900-443-3131.
New visa procedures for TCNs in Mexico
As of October 17, 2005, a Third Country National (TCN) who is currently in the United States and who wishes to apply for a nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. consulate in Mexico must make the interview appointment online via a new Web site: http://www.visa-usa.com.ms/default.aspx
Applying for Change of Status to F-1 within the United States
Students who prefer to file a change of status application within the U.S. must submit the following documents to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):
- Brief letter of explanation for the purpose of your application for change of status to F-1 (i.e. to receive the benefits of F-1 status such as travel abroad, off-campus employment, and to be eligible for practical training after graduation).
- Original Santa Clara University SEVIS Form which indicates that the document was issued for an application for change of status.
- A receipt showing that you have paid the "SEVIS fee" which you can print when you pay the fee on line at: www.FMJfee.com .
- Photocopy of Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure card stapled inside passport). It is sufficient to send a photocopy, since USCIS will generate a new I-94 card as part of the change of status approval notice.
- Photocopy of current immigration status documents, visa stamp, and passport ID pages.
- Documents which establish the necessary financial support to complete the program of study. This should be the same financial support information used to obtain the SEVIS Form from SCU.
- Dependent family member documentation: if dependent family members currently in the U.S. plan to change their status as well, their information should be included in Form I-539, they should each be issued SEVIS Forms and documentation showing the validity of their current immigration status, including copies of their Forms I-94, should be included.
- If you are married and your spouse has a different last name, a copy of your marriage certificate is recommended.
- A completed Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status).
- A check or money order made out to "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services" for $300.00.
Students should mail their application through certified mail with a return receipt to:
USCIS California Service Center
P.O. Box 10539
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-1053
Please Note:
- Make photocopies of all documents mailed to USCIS.
- See the SCU international student advisor immediately after you receive your official notification from USCIS.
- You may NOT work on campus as an F-1 student until your change of status to F-1 is approved, however you may enroll in classes prior to receiving the approval.
- If you do not use the SEVIS Form issued by SCU to obtain F-1 status in one of the two ways described above, you are not in F-1 status.
- The I-20 is only a "certificate of eligibility" for F-1 status, and the mere issuance of the form does not grant F-1 status itself.
- For those of you changing status from H-1B please note that your change of status application MUST be received by the USCIS before your final day of employment in H-1B status.
