Complete The Attached Application Forms:

• Application to Extend/Change Non-immigrant Status (Form I-539)
  

  Attachment to Form I-539 – If you are changing from a B status, it is very important that you show, in Question #1, that you did not intentionally apply for the wrong visa, or intentionally enter the U.S. under the wrong status. If you told the consul, on your visa application, that you intended to go to school, say so in the attachment.

  In Question #2, describe how you have been fulfilling your purpose for being in the U.S. As a B1 or B2 visitor, describe your tourist or business activities. As a dependent, describe the purpose for your being here with your family. Employment status: describe your employment.

  In Question #3, clearly describe, step by step, what, and who, influenced you to stay in the U.S. to study. In Question #5, explain how your studies are going to prepare you for a career back home.

• Evidence of lawful status: Attach any evidence you have that you are maintaining lawful status in the U.S. Visitors can attach evidence of where they’ve visited, or business> activities; employment statuses (H, E, L) should provide a letter certifying their employment; dependents should provide evidence that the principal is maintaining status.
  
• A and G statuses ONLY: Attach your approved I-566

Attach The Following Documents To Your Application:

• Your signed SEVIS I-20 form from Sarah Lawrence College. If we are preparing your I-20 Form for you now, you can sign it when you visit the office with your change of Status Application.
  
• Photocopies of your evidence of financial support.
• Photocopy of your valid Form I-94 Departure Record.
• $200 Fee, in the form of a money order. (Subject to change) Make it payable to USCIS.
• Supplement I is required only if you have dependents here in the U.S. with you.

Information About Application Processing

1. The Office of Multicultural and International Affairs will send your application to USCIS by Federal Express or USPS, via certified mail.
   
   
2. USCIS will take about 2 months to review your application and reply to us. We will contact you as soon as we hear from them, or you should contact us if you receive notification.
   
   
3. You are maintaining lawful status in the U.S. while your application is being processed (even if the date on your Form I-94 has expired.)
   
   
4. Travel, before receiving an answer from USCIS, automatically cancels your change of status application. To reenter the U.S., you would need a new Form I-20 from us, and you would have to re-apply for the F-1 student visa in your home country. You cannot use any other visas in your passport to reenter if your purpose for returning is to be a full-time student.

Please contact us if you have any questions!