How do I stay in good status?

Maintaining status is crucial for maintaining legal standing within the United States. As a basic rule of thumb you must work to follow two basic rules:

• First, follow the rules of your school.
• Second, uphold the law’s of the land.

If you do these two things you have nothing to worry about. However, Failure to maintain status will result to a visa termination and you will have to return to your home country.

If you are experiencing academic, financial or personal difficulty that may prevent you from maintaining good status, DON’T WAIT! Seek an appointment with your Student Adviser, or DSO to discuss your issue they are there to assist you through joyful times as well as difficult ones.

For an in-depth dive into SEVP regulations take a look HERE to learn more. If you still have questions reach out to your schools DSO for more guidance.

Change of status?

If you are currently holding a U.S. visa that doesn’t allow you to study, or if you are in terminated status you will need to apply for change of status to USCIS Service Center.

First step in changing status to F-1 visa is to find a school who would be willing to support an application to change status. Not every school will support to change status. After gaining admittance into your desired school and program, you will begin to prepare for and fill the Form I-539

For more information: https://www.uscis.gov/i-539

Note:  F-2 and B1/B2 visas are not allowed to start studies until USCIS approval for change of status

Transferring schools?

Transfer in:

In order to transfer in to our school you will need to first apply for your program, along with your acceptance letter we will provide you with a SEVIS transfer form that you will need to give to your DSO at the transfer-out school and request the transfer.

Please make sure you understand the transfer out policy of your current school before initiating your transfer.

Transfer out:

If you decide to transfer out of your current school, please seek an appointment with your international advisor. Your advisor will go over the school’s transfer policy.

F-2 dependents?

As an F-1 student it is possible to bring your dependents in the U.S. while you are studying. These requirements may vary from school to school. You will have to provide proof of additional financial resources, a copy of your dependent’s valid passport, and a marriage certificate (spouse) and/or birth certificate (children).

For more information: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/dependents