Process and Case Study for Changing to F-1 Status
      Back to home
      1. The White Paper for F1 Students
      2. Change of Status
      3. Process and Case Study for Changing to F-1 Status

      Who Is Suitable for Changing to F-1 Status?

      This article discusses which types of visa holders may want to change their status to F-1 and the reasons why they choose to do so.

      H-1B Workers

      • Laid Off: If you are laid off and your grace period is about to end, consider changing to F-1 status to get more educational and professional opportunities.

      • 6-Year Limit: If your 6-year limit is approaching, changing to F-1 status allows you to stay in the U.S. for further education.

      B-1/B-2 Tourists

      • Short Stay: If your visit is short and you want to stay longer without leaving the country, changing to F-1 status can provide a longer legal stay.

      • Accepted to School: If you are accepted to a school after entering the U.S., changing to F-1 status allows you to start studying without leaving and re-entering the country.

      J-1 Exchange Visitors

      • Status Expiration: If your J-1 status is about to expire and you want to continue studying in the U.S. without leaving, changing to F-1 status is an ideal option.

      • Work Authorization: If you want to legally work in the U.S., you can change to F-1 status and then use CPT or OPT to work.

      • Funding Withdrawal: If your home country withdraws your funding and requires you to return, changing to F-1 status allows you to stay in the U.S.

      F-2/H-4 Dependents

      • Work Restrictions: If you hold a dependent visa like F-2 or H-4, which does not allow you to work, you can change to F-1 status to work with CPT or OPT.

      • Full-Time Study: If you are an F-1 student's child and you are going to attend colleges, changing to F-1 status allows you to start college without leaving the U.S.

      • Lack of Independence: Dependent visas lack independence. For example, F-2 status depends on the F-1 visa holder, and H-4 status depends on the H-1B holder. Moreover, if an H-4 holder gets divorced, they will immediately lose their H-4 status. Changing to F-1 status can provide more independence.

      L-1 Transferred Employees

      • Green Card Delays: If your L-1A (7 years) or L-1B (5 years) is about to expire and there is no progress on your green card application, you can change to F-1 status to stay in the U.S. and continue working with CPT.

      • Laid Off: If you face layoffs and cannot find a job within the 60-day grace period, changing to F-1 status can provide you with more time to search for jobs.

      • Job Change: The L-1 visa is tied to a single employer and, unlike H-1B, cannot be transferred to another employer. If you leave the job, you will lose your legal status. Changing to F-1 status allows you to work with CPT at a new company while waiting for the next H-1B lottery.

      • Further Education: If you want to pursue higher education, such as an MBA, and thus improve your career prospects, changing to F-1 status allows you to study full-time. Additionally, having a master's degree can qualify you for the H-1B master's cap, which will enhance your chances to get selected for H-1B.