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Office of International Affairs

Change of Status

This procedure takes approximately 3-4 months. The process cannot be expedited; however, you may stay in the U.S. to await the results. A few weeks after you mail your application to change status, you can expect to receive a “Notice of Action” document (acknowledgment of receipt). With the receipt number, you can track your “case status” at www.uscis.gov.

The status change to F-1 or J-1 must be approved prior to enrolling in classes. If your change of status has not been received in time to begin school on the date indicated on the I-20 or DS-2019, contact your admissions officer and have it deferred until the next semester.

You will submit all documents to USCIS:

  • Form I-539
  • Pay the SEVIS Fee: (changes to F-1 or J-1 only)
  • Print out of electronic receipt
  • Filing fee, Check/Money Order made payable to ‘U.S. Department of Homeland Security’
  • Letter explaining why you want to change your status
  • Photocopies of passport ID page for:
    • You
    • Your Spouse/Dependent child (if applicable)
  • Photocopies of visa page for:
    • You
    • Your Spouse/Dependent child (if applicable)
  • Copy of I-94 for:
    • You
    • Your Spouse/Dependent child (if applicable)
  • Photocopy of all relevant immigration forms (I-20/DS-2019/I797) for:
    • You
    • Your Spouse/Dependent child (if applicable)
  • Copy of Marriage Certificate/Birth Certificate with official Translation (for changes to F-2, J-2, or H-4 status only)
  • Admission Letter from Middle Tennessee State University (for changes to F-1 only)
  • Proof of Financial Support (for change to the F or J categories only)

Once you have all of your documents, you may make an appointment with an admission analyst to look over your package before sending them to USCIS.

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Office of International Affairs @ MTSU
international@mtsu.edu
Jones Hall 152