Change of Status Guide

Changing to F-1 Status

• New students should apply for admission to WSU. Graduate Admission  Undergraduate Admission Be sure to indicate on the application or communicate to your Admissions Officer you plan to file for a change of status and are requesting a “change of status” Form I-20.
• Current students may obtain the Form I-20 from either International Education (OIE) or the Graduate School.  A Certification of Financial Support must be submitted prior to issuance of the Form I-20.  Keep a copy of the CFS to submit to USCIS with your change of status application.  

Changing to F-2 Status

• An F-2 dependent I-20 can be obtained by the primary F-1 status holder by submitting a Dependent I-20 Request form to OIE.  Email iss@wichita.edu to request a form.  A new Certification of Financial Support will be required.

Pay the $350 SEVIS fee online at fmjfee.com and print or save a copy of the receipt.  Because you need your SEVIS ID number to pay the fee, you must wait until your Form I-20 is issued before completing this step. This step is only required if changing to F-1 status.

As of April 2024, the application fee for online filers was $420 with an option of paying the premium processing fee.  Applicants with dependents cannot file online at this time.  They must file by paper.  The following link leads to the Form I-539 page on the USCIS website from which you can access the online account creation page or the paper form (needed if filing with dependents):  https://www.uscis.gov/i-539

The Office of International Education has prepared a guidebook to help you complete the Form I-539 for your Change of Status, which can be found below:

Follow the prompts within the application for submitting evidence.

Required

• Form I-20 requesting change of status. Be sure to sign the I-20 before uploading. Keep the original for your records.
• I-94. Access your I-94 from the CBP website cbp.gov/I94.  If your last entry into the U.S.  was prior to 4/29/13 you should have a paper I-94 card stapled inside your passport.  Be sure to copy front and back of card.  Keep the original in your passport. Note: F-2 dependent I-20s are signed by the primary F-1 status holder.
• Financial Support Documentation proving sufficient funds to support you during your studies. USCIS will want to verify you have the necessary financial support to complete your educational objective.  Available funding should match or exceed total amount listed for “estimated average costs” section of the F-1 I-20.  Documentation can include items such as recent bank statements (no more than 6 months old), proof of school or outside scholarship support, sponsor statement confirming commitment and source of funds, verification of sponsor’s employment.  If bank statements do not list currency in dollars, find an online tool to convert to dollars and provide that printout with the bank statement.  We also encourage providing a copy of the Certification of Financial Support submitted to OIE or the Graduate School when applying for admission.
• Personal Statement (typed and dated) explaining why you want to change status. Include information about why you entered the U. S. in your current status, why and how your intentions changed on in the U. S., and any other relevant information.
  
  In addition, at your discretion you may choose to provide information about your ties to your home country or foreign country of residence.  Under federal law, all applicants for nonimmigrant visas or statuses, such as student visas, are viewed as having intentions to immigrate to the U.S. until they can demonstrate otherwise. It is important to show that you have strong ties to your home country, or reasons for returning to your home country or foreign country of residence after completing your program of study. Proof of ties will vary per applicant. Examples of ties include:
  • Offer of employment or current job abroad
  • Financial prospects that you own or will inherit, such as a family business, investments, etc.
  • Property or Land in your name 
  • Direct family members (such as spouse, children, or parents) which you support 
  • For further details about this topic, you can visit the State Department’s Foreign Affairs Manual [9 FAM 402.5-5(E)], which explains the basics of what consular officers or USCIS Adjudicators may consider

• Copy of evidence of current status. F-2s changing to F-1 should submit copies of their dependent I-20 and spouse’s I-20.  F-1 changing to F-2 should also submit evidence of F-1s status. If currently in J-1 status, submit copies of DS-2019.
• Copy of passport biographical information page. If you have renewed your passport while in the U.S., upload both the expired and current passports.
• Copy of current visa
• Receipt for Form I-901 SEVIS Fee payment. Only required if changing status to F-1.