International Students and Scholars Office, OSU, 250 Student Union, Stillwater, OK 74078

Change of Status Request through USCIS ELIS

If you are changing status to F-1, F-2, J-1 or J-2 the International Students and Scholars office will issue your I-20 or DS- 2019. It is your responsibility to apply for the change of status and notify the ISS office of the decision from USCIS. Failure to do so may result in a problem with your immigration status. This form will assist with gathering the supporting documents for the change of status that must be uploaded in the USCIS ELIS system for adjudication. Go to www.uscis.gov/uscis-elis to create an account. Remember to keep note of security question answers and password.

The following are concerns when applying for a change of status:  If you entered on a B-1/B-2 tourist visa, then USCIS must be convinced that you actually entered the U.S. to be a visitor and then your situation changed in order to qualify for the change of status.  Visitors who entered on a “visa waiver” are not eligible to study, extend status, or change status in the U.S. In this case it is best to leave the U.S., obtain an F-1 visa, and reenter as an F-1.  The application for a change of status can take 2 to 6 months to receive a decision. Make sure you have a status which allows you to stay in the U.S. while your application is pending.

At the end of the change of status submission in ELIS, print the document for your records. You will be able to view your ELIS record while pending at any time. You will receive a new PIN number each time you enter your ELIS account. You may want to go into your ELIS account and update your account notification so you can receive an email or text if there are any changes in your application.

Mailing address: In the section “about you” you will need to enter a physical address which is the address where you live in the U.S. and not home country address. If you will be moving any time during your pending application for the Change of Status, you will want to enter the ISS office address for your mailing address. In care of Name: OSU, International Students and Scholars, 250 Student Union, Stillwater, OK 74078.

Family Name: First Name: CWID:

Current Visa Status: Current Visa Type Expiration Date: Date entered the US or date current status began:

Are you currently enrolled at OSU: Yes or No If No, What semester are you accepted for? Fall Spring Summer

Basic Application Documents through ELIS ( all documents must be electronically available – scan 300 DBI) Set up a USCIS ELIS account at www.uscis.gov/uscis-elis You will need to use Foxfire instead of Internet Explorer as your search engine Signed I-20 or DS-2019 (Will be issued by the ISS. Needs to be signed by applicant.) SEVIS Fee Receipt of $200 for change to F-1 status or SEVIS Fee Receipt for $180 for change of status to J-1 status SEVIS Fee payment instructions: pay online www.fmjfee.com after the issuance of the I-20 or DS-2019. Written statement explaining why you want to change status Financial Documentation (graduate assistantship letter of offer, bank statements or letters, sponsorship letters Proof of Current Visa Status (visa page, I-94 card front and back or Electronic I-94,) Copy of Passport ( copy biographical page) Dependents – if dependents are included in application, provide copies of all immigration documents Credit Card or Debit Card for $290 payment Contact Information: Phone: 405-744-5459, Fax: 405-744-8120, Email: [email protected]

Additional Documentation requirement depending on your change of status type: Change of Status – F-2 to F1  Copy of F-1 spouse’s or parent’s I-20s that lists you as a dependent  Copies of F-1 spouse’s or parent’s F-1 immigration documents (Visa page, I-94’s, and Biographical page of Passport)  OSU Transcript for F-1 spouse or parent NOTE: -You must be accepted to OSU or ELI before you can file a change of status application. - You may not enroll in classes until your change of status is approved. Change of Status – F-1 to F-2  Copy of I-20s as an F-1 (Your I-20)  Copies of spouse’s or parent’s F-1 immigration documents (Visa page, I-94’s and Biographical page of Passport)  Transcripts for both you and your F-1 spouse or parent  Marriage certificate or birth certificate showing the relationship to the F-1 NOTE: -You must apply while you are maintaining your current F-1 status Change of Status – B-2 to F-1 or F-2  For an F-2, Copies of spouse’s or parent’s F-1 immigration documents, transcript, and marriage or birth certificate showing the relationship NOTE: -Entry on a Visitor’s (tourist) visa when intending to pursue a course of study may be considered a fraudulent entry. -You should not apply for a change of status before you have been in the U.S. at least three months. -You must be accepted at OSU/ELI before you can file for a change of status. -You may not begin courses until the application has been approved. Change of Status – H-4 to F-1  Copy of H-4 Approval Notice  Copies of H-1 immigration documents (Approval Notice, Visa, Passport biographical page)  Letter of current employment from H-1 employer  Transcript if currently enrolled or Admission letter NOTE: -You must be accepted at OSU/ELI before you can file for a change of status. -You may begin courses as an H-4 while the application is pending. Change of Status – H-1 to F-1  Copies of H-1 immigration documents (Approval Notice, Visa, Passport biographical page)  Letter of current employment or the expected last day of employment from H-1 sponsor  Transcripts if currently enrolled or Admission letter NOTE: -You must be accepted at OSU/ELI before you can file for a change of status. -You may begin courses as an H-1 while the application is pending. Change of Status – J-1 or J-2 to F-1  Transcript, if J-1 or J-2 is a current student  Copy of the Waiver if subject to 212(e) (Two year home country residency requirement)  If a J-2, copies of J-1 immigration documents (DS-2019, visa, passport biographical page) NOTE: -You must apply while you are maintaining your current J-1/J-2 status. -If working on a J-2 EAD must cease employment immediately upon F-1 approval.