Change of Nonimmigrant Status

There are times when you may need or want to change your status due to circumstances. USCIS allows you to do this in certain cases. If you need to change your status and do not, you will be violating U.S. immigration law and may be subject to deportation.

1.  You Must Qualify to Change Your Nonimmigrant Status-You may not change your status if you were admitted on the following visas categories:

Visa Waiver Pilot Program
C - Alien in Transit or without a visa
D - A crewman
K - Fiancé of U.S. citizen
S - An informant

If you were admitted on a J visa for graduate medical training you cannot apply for a change of status unless you receive a special waiver. If you are on an M visa, you may not change to an F or H.

If you are the spouse or child of someone in the following visa categories, you do not have to apply to change of status to attend school in the USA:

A - Diplomatic
E - International Trade or Investors
F - Academic Students and their families
G - Representatives of International Organizations
H - Temporary Workers
I - Representatives of foreign media and their families
J - Exchange Visitors
L - Intracompany Transfers
M - Vocational Students and their families

2.  Have your employer file Form I-129 (Change of Status) at the USCIS Regional Service Center with jurisdiction over your case if you are trying to change to one of the following categories (If your employer files the petition, make sure your spouse and children file Form I-539):

E - International Trade and Investors
H - Temporary Workers
L - Intracompany Transferees
O - Aliens of Extraordinary Ability
P - Entertainers and Athletes
Q - Participants in International Exchange Programs
R - Religious Workers
TN - Canadians and Mexicans Under NAFTA

3.  If you are trying to change to one of the following categories, you need to fill out Form I-539:

A - Diplomatic and government officials
B - Temporary visitors and business or pleasure
F - Academic students and their families
G - Representatives to international organizations and their families
I - Representatives of Foreign Media
J - Exchange Visitors and their families
M - Vocational Students and their families
N - Parents and children of people granted special immigrant status because of working for an international organization

4.  Apply as soon as possible before your nonimmigrant status expires.

The USCIS is more likely to change your status if you are in status with your current visa. If you are late filing, then you must prove that:

• The delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond your control;

• The delay was of reasonable length;

• You have not done anything to violate your nonimmigrant status;

• You are still a nonimmigrant; and,

• You are not in deportation proceedings.