Change of Status from F-1 to F-2 or from F-2 to F-1

Option – 1 You may change your status from F-1 student to F-2 dependent or vice versa by applying to the USCIS for an adjustment (change) of status.  You would submit a Form I-539 to the USCIS along with all the required supporting documents.  The USCIS Form I-539 change of status processing times are found here. While your case is in process with the USCIS you would be required to maintain your current F-1 student status.  Once your Form I-539 change of status is approved,  your F-1/F-2 record would be terminated for the reason of “approved change of status” which carries no penalty to your record.  If you chose this option, I recommend that you act as quickly as possible.  If you submit your I-539 to the USCIS and later decide to travel home to obtain a F-1 visa, we can assist you with withdrawing your request from the USCIS.

Option – 2  applying for a new visa with the U.S. Department of State (U.S. Embassy/Consulate).  This would require that you depart the United States, obtain an F-1/F-2 visa from the embassy, and re-enter the U.S. using your F-1/F-2 visa and signed I-20 document.  Upon returning to the U.S., your international advisor would terminate your previous record for the reason of “approved change of status” which carries no penalty to your record. 

ISSS offers a letter for current students both enrolled on campus or participating in Post-Completion OPT/STEM OPT.  The Letter of Program Participation verifies your current program with Missouri S&T as it relates to your SEVIS record (immigration record) including biographical information and program information. The letter typically is used to assist with the Social Security Application, and the Driver's Licensing process, and for assisting with the invitation of parents to the graduation walk for international students once they complete their degree. 

 

 

To assist you with your pre-travel preparations please review the travel tips below and be sure to review the Department of State’s guidance on travel before you go.  To receive a travel endorsement on your I-20 document please complete the Travel Request Form. At the minimum, you will be required to have the following documents with you to be admitted through a United States Port of Entry:

Current I-20 

Page 1 must be hand-signed by your DSO (International Advisor) and yourself.

Page 2 must include a DSO travel endorsement dated no earlier than twelve months before your expected reentry date.

Unexpired and valid passport and F-1 visa

Proof of financial support

The Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) does not list proof of financial support as a requirement for reentry but it is strongly recommended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Proof of financial support may include a recent account statement issued by a U.S. bank or an account summary provided for an account held at a foreign financial institution

Proof of continuous enrollment

The Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) does not list proof of student status or enrollment as a requirement for reentry but it is strongly recommended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Proof of student status and/or enrollment may include unofficial transcripts that can be attained through Joe’SS.

Additional Reminders

If your F-1 visa has expired or will expire before your re-entry into the United States, you will need to apply for a new visa while out of the country.  You will not be allowed back into the U.S. if your visa has expired.  Processing times and availability for visa interviews vary by country, please keep these possible delays in mind when making plans.  Please visit the Department of State’s (DOS) webpage at Student and Exchange Visas to learn more about the F-1 visa process.

If your passport has expired or will expire before your re-entry into the United States, you will need to apply for a new passport either from within the country or while you are away.  You will not be allowed back into the U.S. if your passport has expired.  Processing times for passport renewals vary by country, please keep this in mind when making plans.  As a reminder, you are required to maintain a valid passport while in the United States.  

We suggest that you visit the Department of State’s webpage on International Travel to review any other documentation that may be required to pass through the Customs and Border Protection station at the airport.  It is also advised that you check for any travel warnings, bans, restrictions, or mandatory COVID-19 measures that are in place for the country you will be traveling to.  Please note that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continuously update their requirements for international travel into the United States and recommendations.  Please review the restrictions and recommendations provided on the CDC webpage at  International Travel During COVID-19.  

 

To assist you with your pre-travel preparations please review the travel tips below and be sure to review the Department of State’s guidance on travel before you go.  To receive a travel endorsement on your I-20 document please complete the Travel Request Form.You will be required to have the following documents with you to be readmitted through a U.S. Port of Entry:

Current I-20

Page 1 must be signed by your DSO (International Advisor) and yourself.

Page 2 must list your approved OPT and/or STEM OPT status along with your current employer.

Page 2 must include a DSO travel endorsement dated no earlier than 6-months before your expected reentry date.

Post-Completion OPT and/or STEM OPT EAD (work authorization card) and Form I-797, Notice of Action (approval notice)

Passport and F-1 visa, both documents must be valid and unexpired

Proof of financial support

The Customs and Border Protection Agency does not list proof of financial support as a requirement for reentry but it is strongly recommended by ICE.

Proof of financial support may include a recent payroll statement or financial statement issued for an account held by a U.S. bank.

Proof of employment

The Customs and Border Protection Agency does not list proof of employment as a requirement for reentry but it is strongly recommended by the USCIS. 

Proof of employment may include a recent payroll statement, an offer letter from your employer, and/or a travel authorization document from your employer.

Additional Reminders

If your F-1 visa has expired or will expire before your re-entry into the United States, you will need to apply for a new visa while out of the country.  You will not be allowed back into the U.S. if your visa has expired.  Processing times and availability for visa interviews vary by country, please keep these possible delays in mind when making plans.  Please visit the Department of State’s webpage at Student and Exchange Visas to learn more about the F-1 visa process.

If your passport has expired or will expire before your re-entry into the United States, you will need to apply for a new passport either from within the country or while you are away.  You will not be allowed back into the U.S. if your passport has expired.  Processing times for passport renewals vary by country, please keep this in mind when making plans.  As a reminder, you are required to maintain a valid passport while in the United States.  

Please note, that you may travel internationally during your OPT and/or STEM OPT authorization period for up to 5 months.  If you have not reentered the U.S. within 5 months of your departure date, your SEVIS record may be automatically updated to completed status

We suggest that you visit the Department of State’s webpage on International Travel to review any other documentation that may be required to pass through the Customs and Border Protection station at the airport.  It is also advised that you check for any travel warnings, bans, restrictions, or mandatory COVID-19 measures that are in place for the country you will be traveling to.  Please note that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continuously update their requirements for international travel into the United States and recommendations.  Please review the restrictions and recommendations provided on the CDC webpage at  International Travel During COVID-19.  

The Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) requires that all J1-visa holders receive travel authorization before traveling during their program. J1-visa holders who receive a travel endorsement signature on their DS-2019 will be permitted to travel internationally for a period of up to 5-months duration.

Travel beyond the 5-month limited duration without being placed in Out-of-Country Status will result in the automatic cancelation of the J1 SEVIS Record. J1-visa holds who intend to travel for an “extended” period must be listed as “Out-of-Country Status” and will require authorization from their Academic Department and Host Sponsor. International Student and Scholar Services has designated an “extended” period to be any period that extends beyond 31 days, or 4 weeks.

To receive a travel endorsement on your DS-2019 please complete the Travel and Extended Travel Authorization Form. This form is not used for travel on behalf of the University, for International Travel Registration please contact the Experiential Learning Office. 

Concurrent Enrollment is reported to our office to meet the credit hour requirements and physical presence requirement of all international students.

For Fall and Spring Semesters students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours for Undergraduate Degrees and 9 credit hours for Graduate Degrees. If a student enrolls at another university to meet these credit hours, they must complete the Concurrent Enrollment Form.

** Concurrent Enrollment may be online, but the concurrent enrollment form must be completed demonstrating that there is an academic reason or conflicted reason as to why the student must take courses at another university during these semesters. The courses must transfer back and be applied towards their degree. **

For Summer semesters, students are only required to demonstrate the credit hour requirement if it is their initial semester. Otherwise, students may take courses elsewhere that are not necessary to report to ISSS.

Sponsoring Agencies will choose to either approve or deny concurrent enrollment. In these circumstances, Sponsored Student Services is a required signature on the completed form.

If an international student takes courses in person at another university that tends to mean that they were admitted to a program there, this is a circumstance in which concurrent enrollment would be required as international students cannot have two ongoing programs at two different universities on F-1 status.