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Change of Status Information

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26 views2 pages

Change of Status Information

Uploaded by

wanyj23
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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International Student Services

Change of Status Information


12

If you are currently inside the U.S. on a visa and are interested in changing to F-1 status to study at Community
College of Philadelphia, it is important to contact ISS to discuss your options BEFORE applying to the College as the
process is complex. There are two ways to obtain F-1 status:
OPTION 1: TRAVEL AND RE-ENTER THE U.S.
• While still in the U.S., submit an online application to the College, as well as the required supplemental
documents
• Upon acceptance to the College, you will receive an I-20 as well as instructions on how to apply for the F-1 visa
• Exit the U.S. before your current status expires
o Status expiration is based on your I-94 record – NOT your visa stamp
o Allow enough time for an interview and travel arrangements to return to the U.S. in time for the start of
the term
• Apply for an F-1 visa from a U.S. Embassy/Consulate
• Return to the U.S. using your I-20 and F-1 visa no earlier than 30-days prior to the start date listed on your I-20

OPTION 2: APPLY FOR A CHANGE OF STATUS AND REMAIN IN THE U.S.


• Prospective students interested in a change of status will first be asked to submit an I-94, current visa stamp and
DS-2019 (if applicable) so the ISS office can determine if the student is eligible for a change of status
• Complete CCP application process:
o Apply online
o Submit required supplemental documents via the online application
o Satisfy placement (English and math)
o Confirm enrollment and request an I-20
• Obtain an I-20 indicating you’re applying for a Change of Status
• Prepare your USCIS application materials:
o Form I-539: https://www.uscis.gov/i-539
o Form I-539 filing fee - check or money order payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” (mailed
submission) or credit/debit card payment (online submission)
▪ Please visit here for fee amount: https://www.uscis.gov/i-539
o Photocopy of I-94 (https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/)
o Photocopy of passport ID page
o Photocopy of visa
o Evidence of financial support
o Detailed letter requesting and explaining the need to change statuses, the following questions should be
addressed:
▪ What was the purpose of your visit to the U.S.?
▪ How and when did you arrive at your decision to study in the U.S.?
▪ How and when did you first contact the College and when were you informed of your
admittance?
▪ What do you plan to do after completing your academic program?
• Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee, keep a copy of your receipt, you will need this for the Change of Status application
• Submit your application to USCIS
o Locate mailing address here: https://www.uscis.gov/i-539-addresses

Community College of Philadelphia ▪ International Student Services ▪ 1700 Spring Garden Street ▪ Philadelphia, PA 19130 USA
Email: international@ccp.edu ▪ Tel.: 215.751.8863
Ver. 7.24
International Student Services
Change of Status Information
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

1. Certain applicants may file the change of status application to USICS online, but some must complete a physical
application and mail it. For a list of who can file online, please visit: https://www.uscis.gov/i539online.
a. If you are eligible, we recommend filing online

2. A change of status application can take anywhere from 9 – 15 months or longer to process. During this time, you
cannot enroll in courses, work on campus, or travel internationally.
a. Enrolling in courses and/or working is a violation of your immigration status
b. Leaving the U.S. will void/cancel your COS application with USCIS.

3. There cannot be a gap of more than 30 days between statuses


a. The end date of your current status is on your I-94
b. The beginning of your F-1 status is the start date on the I-20 and may change
c. F-1 status cannot begin earlier than 30-days before the start date on your I-20

4. If you are currently on a B-1/B-2 visa, you shouldn’t apply too quickly after your arrival to the U.S.
a. If USCIS determines that you misrepresented your intentions when applying for a visa or extension, your
Change of Status request will be denied

5. You should maintain your current status while your application processing when applicable
a. If your current status will expire while the application is processing, you may wish to apply for an
extension of your current status but this is not required. You are allowed to stay inside the United States
with an expired status if you have submitted your application to USCIS BEFORE your status expired
b. If you are aging out of your current visa status, your Change of Status must be approved before you age
out of your current status
c. If your current status has already expired, you are not eligible to apply for a Change of Status

6. If your Change of Status is approved, you are expected to enroll in the next available semester at CCP
a. Depending on the date of approval, you may need to enroll in a full course load during summer
semester
b. Failure to enroll in a full course load after an approval will result in termination of SEVIS status

7. If your Change of Status is still pending when the program start date on the I-20 has been reached, it is your
responsibility to contact ISS to request a deferral to the next semester. ISS will not automatically defer a record.

8. You will need to apply for an F-1 visa stamp at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate the next time you exit the U.S., as you
will need the F-1 visa and I-20 to re-enter the U.S.

9. If USCIS denies your application, prepare to exit the U.S. when your current status expires

10. IMPORTANT: The International Student Services (ISS) Office is NOT legal counsel (i.e. immigration attorneys). If
you are eligible to receive an I-20, the school will issue the document for you to use as a part of your USCIS
application to change status. It is the student’s responsibility to submit a complete and accurate application to
change status (including all supporting documents). Issuance of an I-20 bears no influence on whether an
application will be approved or denied.

Community College of Philadelphia ▪ International Student Services ▪ 1700 Spring Garden Street ▪ Philadelphia, PA 19130 USA
Email: international@ccp.edu ▪ Tel.: 215.751.8863
Ver. 7.24

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