Status change and approval from B2 to F1?
Posted by michelleas
This forum threads deal with queries and answers related to change of status from B2 status to F1 visa status. The solutions offered over here are aggregations of all forum users’ experiences pertaining to the topic
Posted by parvezmisra
4 years ago
Hi, I know this thread is quite old. I applied cos from B2 to f1 and it was received May 25th, 2017 at VSC. This is the 8th month & still waiting for a response. Is there anyone in my shoes or has an update?
Posted by chiragpatel
4 years ago
I think it was a mistake to get 1-20 within 2 months since the immigration will consider that she came to the U.S.A with the intention of staying. I don't have much info about the MTR! I really wish you the best of luck but you need a good immigration lawyer.
FYI, I came to the U.S in October 2016, got the I-20 at the beginning of March 2017 applied to COS end of March 2017 (I followed the 30 days rule for the beginning date of class) and finally got approved on October 28.
Everyone, please be careful that nowadays you must file another I-539 for an extension while you waiting for the F-1 to be approved.
Good luck everyone.
FYI, I came to the U.S in October 2016, got the I-20 at the beginning of March 2017 applied to COS end of March 2017 (I followed the 30 days rule for the beginning date of class) and finally got approved on October 28.
Everyone, please be careful that nowadays you must file another I-539 for an extension while you waiting for the F-1 to be approved.
Good luck everyone.
Posted by amritawarrior
4 years ago
First of all, I want to say I don't have any legal background. What I'm saying here is based on my experience. You should seek help from an expert if necessary.
I do have a friend she did that long time ago (12 yrs ago). Although she got it approved, you should still keep in mind that immigration laws have been changing almost every year and the result may vary.
If you came here with a B2 visa and want to change the status to F1 here, you will have to file an application along with your I-94 card. Even you got approved, all you got is an approval document. Unless you know you're not going anywhere till the time you graduated, you will later face other problems. If you want to go out of this country later (for travel or for any reason), you will have to go back to your native country and apply for an F1 visa. Most of the time, people got denied even they have an official approval document. Your chance to get your F1 visa depends on the person who interviews you at the consular. Since you have been come to the US with one status and apply for another one, it's always a trigger for them to not believe your intention to come to the US is what you claimed for. And that was also the reason my friend had never stepped out of the US until she finished her degree.
My suggestion to you is, don't apply for changing status while you're still in the US. You should go back to your country and apply for an F1 visa there directly. If you have been here with B2 and go back (that means you don't have the intention to stay here for immigration or marriage etc. purpose), you get a good chance to get your F1 visa approved.
I hope my answer can help you. But I strongly suggest you seek more advice from experts.
I do have a friend she did that long time ago (12 yrs ago). Although she got it approved, you should still keep in mind that immigration laws have been changing almost every year and the result may vary.
If you came here with a B2 visa and want to change the status to F1 here, you will have to file an application along with your I-94 card. Even you got approved, all you got is an approval document. Unless you know you're not going anywhere till the time you graduated, you will later face other problems. If you want to go out of this country later (for travel or for any reason), you will have to go back to your native country and apply for an F1 visa. Most of the time, people got denied even they have an official approval document. Your chance to get your F1 visa depends on the person who interviews you at the consular. Since you have been come to the US with one status and apply for another one, it's always a trigger for them to not believe your intention to come to the US is what you claimed for. And that was also the reason my friend had never stepped out of the US until she finished her degree.
My suggestion to you is, don't apply for changing status while you're still in the US. You should go back to your country and apply for an F1 visa there directly. If you have been here with B2 and go back (that means you don't have the intention to stay here for immigration or marriage etc. purpose), you get a good chance to get your F1 visa approved.
I hope my answer can help you. But I strongly suggest you seek more advice from experts.
Posted by chiragpatel
4 years ago
With every change in government in US immigration laws having to change constantly. It is suggested that you take good legal counsel to handle your case so you do not land in out of hand situation.
Posted by gandharibhattachary
4 years ago
I think 8 months are average right now but your case might be in hold till you file an extension to your B2 visa if you never filed one. I know it might sound crazy that your B2 expired and you think there is no point in filing an extension. However, that's what the Immigration want for those case as of right now.
Note: I filed on Mach 27, 2016 and my case was in hold till I filed the extension for B2 visa (filed on September -B2 was already expired! - However, I sent the extension and submit an explanation because of the new rule). Once they received the extension, they sent me the approval for the F1
Note: I filed on Mach 27, 2016 and my case was in hold till I filed the extension for B2 visa (filed on September -B2 was already expired! - However, I sent the extension and submit an explanation because of the new rule). Once they received the extension, they sent me the approval for the F1
