ELIGIBILITY: An alien in most nonimmigrant statuses except C, D, K, or M (and in certain cases J and B), and except an alien who has entered the United States under the terms of the Visa-Waiver Pilot Program, can apply for a change to/from F-1 status if he or she has maintained lawful nonimmigrant status up to the time the application is filed.

Steps to apply for a Change of Status:
1) Look below for the change of status that applies to your situation.
2) All applicants below must fill out the I-539 form, and can be found on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov
3) Turn in the following documents to the Office of International Programs (OIP). Please contact the OIP if you have questions about your change of status plans.

Note: For any changes to F-1, it is recommended to turn in your application 4-5 months prior to when you wish to begin studies as an F-1 student. Change of status applications are currently processed at the USCIS California Service Center. Please check the USCIS.gov website for current estimated processing times.

Estimate of Expenses: Graduate or Undergraduate

F-2 to F-1

1. I-539 form (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-539.pdf )
2. NDSU acceptance letter
3. Bank statement and financial documents
4. Copy of principal alien's (spouse's) I-20
5. Copy of principal alien's (spouse's) form I-94 (front and back)
6. Copy of your passport (biography and photo page)
7. Copy of F-2's form I-94 (front and back)
8. Statement from applicant, explaining reason for change of status
9. $300 application fee
10. SEVIS I-20 (Change of Status Requested)
    • This is issued by an international student advisor after your entire application is complete.
11. Copy of I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt
    • Pay this online at http://www.fmjfee.com after your new SEVIS I-20 has been issued.

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H-4 to F-1

1. I-539 form (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-539.pdf )
2. NDSU acceptance letter
3. Bank statement and financial documents
4. Copy of your form I-94 (front and back)
5. Copy of your passport (biography and photo page)
6. Copy of H-1's approval notice
7. Copy of H-1's form I-94 (front and back)
8. Copy of marriage certificate (with English translation if necessary)
9. Statement from applicant, explaining reason for change of status
10. $300.00 application fee
11. SEVIS I-20 (Change of Status Requested)
    • This is issued by an international student advisor after your entire application is complete.
12. Copy of I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt
    • Pay this online at http://www.fmjfee.com after your new SEVIS I-20 has been issued.

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H-1 to F-1

1. I-539 form (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-539.pdf )
2. NDSU acceptance letter
3. Bank statement and financial documents
4. Copy of your form I-94 (front and back)
5. Copy of your passport (biography and photo page)
6. Copy of your H-1 approval notice
7. Copy of your form I-94 (front and back)
8. Statement from applicant, explaining reason for change of status
9. Letter from most recent employer explaining your last day of employment or expected last day of employment.
10. Please also include your last pay stub/statement.
    • Important: The service center must receive your change of status application no later than 10 days after your H-1 employment has ended. Please plan accordingly.
11. $300.00 application fee
12. SEVIS I-20 (Change of Status Requested)
    • This is issued by an international student advisor after your entire application is complete.
13. Copy of I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt
    • Pay this online at http://www.fmjfee.com after your new SEVIS I-20 has been issued.

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J-2 to F-1

1. I-539 form (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-539.pdf )
2. NDSU acceptance letter
3. Bank statement and financial documents
4. Copy of principal alien's (spouse's) DS-2019
5. Copy of principal alien's (spouse's) form I-94 (front and back)
6. Copy of principal alien's (spouse's) passport (biography and photo page)
7. Copy of your DS-2019
8. Copy of your passport (biography and photo page)
9. Copy of your form I-94 (front and back)
10. Statement from applicant, explaining reason for change of status
11. $300 application fee
12. SEVIS I-20 (Change of Status Requested)
    • This is issued by an international student advisor after your entire application is complete.
13. Copy of I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt
    • Pay this online at http://www.fmjfee.com after your new SEVIS I-20 has been issued.

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F-1 to F-2

1. I-539 form (http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-539.pdf )
2. Bank statement and financial documents
3. Copy of principal alien's (spouse's) I-20
4. Copy of principal alien's (spouse's) form I-94 (front and back)
5. Copy of your passport (biography and photo page)
6. Copy of F-2's form I-94 (front and back)
7. Statement from applicant, explaining reason for change of status
8. $300.00 application fee
9. SEVIS I-20 (Change of Status Requested)
   • This is issued by an international student advisor after your entire application is complete.
10. Copy of I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt
    • Pay this online at http://www.fmjfee.com after your new SEVIS I-20 has been issued.

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