International student: changing from visitor visa to student visa...?

Question

What is the process to obtain a student visa or become a student in the US?
Is it possible to change from a visitor visa to a student visa?
What would this process be?

Answer 1

As a B2 or B1/B2 visa holder, you may apply to change your non-immigrant status to F1. In order to do so, you must submit Form I-539 and any required supporting documents, such as valid I-20 and SEVIS receipt, and appropriate fees, to the USCIS Service Center that serves the area where you are temporarily staying. Bear in mind that often times USCIS takes a dim view of people who enter on one type of visa and then try to switch while in the US, essentially just to remain longer in the US, or to avoid the proper process of applying for the correct visa from the US embassy in the first place. Some people are approved, and some are not.

For the appropriate USCIS office:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=52a46c854523d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=52a46c854523d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD

Answer 2

I don't think the school would submit the paperwork for you. I have a friend who changed her status years ago from visitor to student, but times have changed.

You definitely need to check with the school, first off you need to get admitted to the school, after providing the necessary documents required: transcripts, bank documents proving that you can pay for your education without incurring the government any costs and a score on your English basically the TOEFL score.

After that they will provide you with an I-20 which you need to use to fill out the necessary paperwork for your student visa. Now it will depend with the INS, they will let you know what else you need to provide. Hopefully you will not need to have to go back to your country to apply for the visa.

All the best.

Answer 3

To do a COS, you use the form I-539: http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-539.pdf.

The other option is that you can leave the country and apply for an F-1 abroad.

Answer 4

Your school will have to submit the paperwork.

Talk to the International Center or Admissions.

Answer 5

You can apply for one after the school has accepted you, you probably need to take Tofel and placement test first.

Answer 6

.First of all, you need to have admission papers(I-20) from a legitimate U.S. University/college. and there must be a requirement of proficiency in English(TOFEL score) that you have to meet. those are what you need to have before anything else